El1 Assistant Director

Ongoing
- $113,509 -$124,875 plus 15.4% Superannuation
- Adelaide, Canberra, Goondiwindi, Griffith, Mildura, Murray-Bridge and Wodonga

**Join us to shape the future of one of Australia’s greatest natural assets and protect it for future generations.**

**We are seeking people who want to contribute to a significant water reform program that aims to respond to the impacts of climate change, support community and industry needs, and improve access to water for First Nations people.**

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) is an independent government agency which, in partnership with Basin governments, manages the Murray-Darling Basin’s water resources in the national interest. With the enactment of the Water Act 2007, the MDBA was established as an independent expertise-based statutory agency.

The MDBA aims to achieve a healthy working Basin for the benefit of all Australians. The Murray-Darling Basin contains a rich diversity of natural environments that are unique in Australia and the world. The Basin is also crucial to Australia’s economy and home to 2.3 million Australians, including people from over 40 First Nations. How we manage the Basin as a whole connected system, manage our water carefully, and protect it for future generations is set out in the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

**The Position**
The Assistant Director - First Nations Science and Knowledge, leads work to ensure that the interests of First Nations people and groups are accounted for as part of the Basin Plan Review and First Nations Science and Knowledge activities of the MDBA.

As part of the Basin Plan Review, a key part of this role is to undertake work which seeks to link First Nations and Western knowledge systems to inform MDBA policy development and decision-making, as well as reviewing current knowledge gaps to identify future opportunities for working with First Nations people and groups.

This position works closely with other parts of the MDBA including First Nations Policy and Relationships teams, other Basin Plan Review projects, with First Nations people and groups, as well as with other agencies of the Australian Government, Basin States and Territories and wider stakeholders.

**Your key responsibilities in this role are to**:

- Lead work which seeks to translate First Nations Science and Knowledge to inform policy development as part of the Basin Plan Review.
- Lead the development of First Nations Science and Knowledge initiatives which seek to increase First Nations people’s involvement and reflect their interests in water management.
- Support the involvement of First Nations people and reflect their interests in strategic initiatives of the MDBA such as the Sustainable Rivers Audit and Murray-Darling Basin Outlook.
- Provide support and advice to other areas of the MDBA regarding First Nations environmental water.
- Support the development of an MDBA First Nations Science and Knowledge Strategy
- Adhere to Cultural Safety and navigate relevant MDBA Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) policies and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes.
- Develop and maintain close working relationships internally within the MDBA, with First Nations people and groups, as well as other government and non-government organisations, and members of the wider community.
- Preparation of briefing material, correspondence, submissions, contracts and other policy or operational documents.

**What we offer you**
- You will have the opportunity to work on projects where you contribute to shaping the future of one of Australia’s greatest natural assets and protect it for future generations.
- Competitive remuneration packages, including up to 15.4% superannuation, and recognition of prior APS government service.
- Generous leave provisions (four weeks annual leave) and additional Non-attendance days between Christmas and New Year provided.
- Being part of a smaller agency with a strong focus on its connection with people.
- Being part of a professional, committed, and friendly team of people.
- Being part of an organisation that recognises and values First Nations people, and their contribution to our work. We have an innovative Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) aimed at improving relationships, showing respect, and increasing opportunities to deliver outcome for First Nations peoples as part of our business-as-usual activities.
- Competitive Flexible Working Arrangements which allow greater flexibility and balance between work and personal needs with a baseline attendance in the office to be 40% of your time.
- A range of healthy lifestyle provisions, including access to a health and wellbeing program.
- Opportunities for professional development, and career progression across a variety of roles and work locations.

**Tell me more**

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure — Indigenous position under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacanc