First Nations Community Development Officer

Settlement Services International (SSI Group) is a community-based organisation and social business that supports newcomers and Australians to achieve their full potential. Taking an integrated approach how everyone can thrive within the community in which they live and the wider Australian society, we support children, young people and families; people living with disability; and asylum seekers, refugees and migrants. Our programs include facilitating employment, multicultural foster care, creating community engagement, advocacy, and influencing government and international affairs and provide though leadership within our sector nationally and globally.

Do you want to work for a leading national not-for-profit organisation providing dedicated human and social services to a diverse Australia?
With community at the heart of everything we do, our purpose is to create a world in which everyone has access to equal opportunities.
About the Role
The First Nations Community Development Officer will be instrumental in building and maintaining place-based relationships and partnerships within local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. They will also establish and maintain relationships with participants, community leaders and representatives of community groups. This position will host Community Leaders Forums and Events and promote an open dialogue between community leaders.

The First Nations Community Development Officer understands disability through the lens of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including challenges and opportunities for specific communities. This position will enable SSI to deliver LAC services in alignment to the LAC approach in supporting people with disability, their family and carers to understand and access the NDIS and work with participants to implement and review their plans.

You will also work on the implementation of the Community Capacity Building and Engagement plan to build inclusive communities and increase the capacity of other community and mainstream services, including promotion of participant awareness activities and plan readiness.

**Key Responsibilities**:

- Contribute to the development and implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community development and engagement strategies in targeted areas and communities
- Provide an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective and advocate on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability in the community by providing specialist advice to appropriate support services
- Support the Manager Community Access in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the Community Capacity Building and Engagement Plan with identified outcomes
- Develop and implement initiatives underpinned by the LAC approach that increase inclusion, build capacity, and increase the participant’s utilisation of NDIS services and other services and programs in the community
- Partner with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders, community-controlled organisations and people with disability, their families, and carers through community consultations to build on community assets and lead to sustainable inclusion focused outcomes
- Increase awareness of the intersectionality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity and disability and understand the challenges to families and their community
- Establish and maintain open dialogues and relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community leaders, community groups and/or the SSI leadership
- Monitor and guide the implementation of LAC related actions and activities within the SSI Reconciliation Action plan

Other duties as directed from time to time within your skills range and capacity

**Essential Criteria**:

- This is an identified position in accordance with Section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Applicants for this position must be of Aboriginal descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. Exemption is claimed under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977
- Must identify, be known, and accepted by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal Affairs that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities today, and how does that knowledge shape the cultural approach for the LAC program.
- Proven interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships and liaise across all levels both internally, externally and with people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Demonstrated experience working in the human services sector e.g., disability, child services, allied health, social work, community development, education and/or relevant qualifications or training on social inclusion, community development and engagement or person-centred thinking and planning.
- Understanding and awareness of the impact of disabil