Cross-Cutting Themes Manager

This is a genuinely identified position for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants, reflecting our commitment to equity, inclusion, and cultural leadership.

Contribute to a world where people, communities and the planet thrive.

Tetra Tech International Development is a leading development consulting firm working with government, businesses, and NGOs to solve complex development challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information please visit our website .

The Opportunity:

• Based in Australia
• Respectfully designated as an identified position, it is a genuine occupational requirement to be filled by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person.
• Work type: Hybrid
• Duration: Until 30 June 2029

The Program:

Australia Assists is an Australian Government program that deploys skilled humanitarian specialists to support multilateral agencies, governments, civil society and communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters and conflict. Australia Assists' Goal is to: Save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of conflict, disasters and other humanitarian crises, and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations. The program's Objective is: Targeted deployment of humanitarian expertise that meets the priorities and needs of Australia's multilateral, bilateral and civil society partners and advances Australia's international humanitarian priorities.

The Role:

The Cross-Cutting Themes Manager ensures these principles are embedded across the program, strengthening regional organisational capacity to meet humanitarian needs. This includes integrating gender equality, disability equity and social inclusion (GEDSI), climate resilience, localisation, and First Nations perspectives—from deployment design to implementation, monitoring, and learning.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of the Cross-Cutting Themes (CCT) Strategy and Action Plan across all program functions, ensuring alignment with DFAT's policy commitments and Australia Assists' performance frameworks.
• Collaborate with team leads and working groups to track progress on strategic priority areas under GEDSI, localisation, First Nations engagement, and climate action.
• Ensure program activities and deployments reflect the values, objectives, and measurable indicators outlined in the CCT Strategy.
• Advise on embedding institutional governance and system strengthening approaches within capacity development plans, ensuring alignment with national policies and promoting sustainable, locally led, and effective humanitarian responses.
• Support the development of internal training and resources (e.g., cultural safety, GEDSI training, climate-aware programming) tailored to different program teams and deployees.
• Lead culturally informed and politically aware capacity needs assessments, aligned with partnership priorities and annual plans in collaboration with the Capability and Capacity Strengthening Manager and other program staff and technical specialists, ensuring buy-in from Host Organisations and DFAT.
• Strengthen relationships with national and regional stakeholders, including First Nations and locally led organisations, to advance mutual goals.
• Contribute to the development of program policies and tools that uphold Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights, Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and equitable recruitment and remuneration practices.

Selection criteria

• In-depth understanding of First Nations protocols and engagement approaches, with the ability to articulate cultural perspectives to influence change, and a demonstrated understanding of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) principles.
• Strong understanding of cultural safety, ethical engagement practices, and participatory approaches, particularly in relation to working with First Nations peoples and communities in the Indo-Pacific region.
• At least five years of professional experience in international development or humanitarian sectors, or in a domestic sector with transferable skills, such as community development, disaster response, social policy, or related fields. Experience should include a demonstrated focus on at least one of the following areas:
• GEDSI (Gender equality, disability and social inclusion)
• Locally led humanitarian or development action
• Climate resilience and adaptation
• First Nations engagement and rights-based approaches
• Proven ability to work successfully and sensitively to leverage the benefits of diverse cultural contexts and an understanding of how cultural factors can influence program activities and interactions.
• Experience coordinating strategy implementation, policy alignment, and program improvement processes within complex, multi-stakeholder settings.
• Demonstrated ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, facilitate inclusive collaboration, and contribute to strategic learning and adaptation.
• Tertiary qualifications degree in International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, or a related field are desirable but not essential. We strongly encourage applications from people with relevant professional experience and community knowledge gained through non-formal pathways across the areas of International Development, Humanitarian Assistance, Gender Studies, Social Inclusion, Environmental Studies, Indigenous Studies, Public Policy, or related fields.

For a complete position description please click here. Use the password: TetraTech2025 for access.

How to apply

Please submit your application by clicking "Apply for job" at the top of this page. Applications will only be accepted via the Tetra Tech International Development Website. Emailed applications will be disregarded.

A completed application includes:

• Resume
• Statement of suitability (not to exceed two pages), demonstrating how your qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills and personal attributes align with the selection criteria

Apply before 11:59pm (AEDT), Sunday 12 October 2025.

Why Tetra Tech International Development?

As a leading development consulting firm, Tetra Tech International Development works with people and communities to solve some of the world's most complex challenges to achieve a positive impact.

Working at Tetra Tech International Development means working within a values-led organisation that invests in flexible work environments built on trust, safety and well-being. Through unified systems, flexible and supportive workplaces, we provide the foundations required for our team to enjoy the work they do and deliver value every day.

Read more about our culture, purpose and values here.

Tetra Tech International Development is an equal-opportunity employer and has a genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion. We encourage people with disability; First Nations Peoples; and people of all cultures, genders, abilities, and experiences to apply.

Should you require additional support with during as part of your application, please email

Tetra Tech has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment ('SEAH'), child abuse and exploitation, modern slavery and safeguarding related retaliation, and this zero-tolerance extends to inaction. Tetra Tech is committed to being a child safe organisation, and to promoting a culture that supports gender equality, and addresses the gendered drivers of violence against women and children. It is committed to fostering a culture where we prevent and respond decisively and appropriately to harm against people, and that all people are treated with dignity and respect, irrespective of country, project, or office where we work. This will require compliance with Tetra Tech's Safeguarding and other Codes of Conduct and our associated safeguarding policies (Child Protection and Child Safety, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policy and procedure, and Modern Slavery. Any successful applicants will be required to undertake satisfactory referee and criminal record checks prior to being appointed to any position.

Position Type

Project opportunity

Region

Australia and Indo-Pacific Teams and Clients

Sector

Humanitarian Aid (International Development)

Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery (International Development)