Project Manager Traditional Owner Strategies

Project Manager Traditional Owner Strategies and Partnerships

APS6

Townsville, QLD / Canberra, ACT / Cairns, QLD

Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time

Applications close Thursday 6 November 2025, 11:59pm AEST

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.

Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.

The Position

We are seeking an experienced project professional with demonstrated engagement experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to join our small team to contribute to the development of contemporary strategic policy and partnership initiatives.

The position will also support the development and alignment of the Reef Authority's strategic direction, contributing to and drafting, developing, implementing and reviewing policies and work in partnership with key stakeholders to maintain the resilience of the Reef and includes issues affecting the Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Great Barrier Reef.

Note: this position is an identified position and is one in which the duties involve extensive engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities or their representatives (further information is provided in the eligibility requirements section below).

About You

• You will have a strong understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• You are resilient and enjoy being part of a cohesive team.
• You are an experienced project manager with the ability to negotiate, to work collaboratively with individuals, groups and management.
• You have proven experience in building and maintaining strategic relationships.
• You are a natural problem solver, practical and sees projects through to completion.
• You are a team player, who successfully maintains relationships with internal staff and external clients.
• You will be an excellent communicator, both in the written and verbal forms across all agency levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and delivery of the Reef Authority's Traditional Owner strategy and partnerships work including policy and plans and the Reef Authority's contributions to those associated and related forums, policy direction, positioning and initiatives.
• Contribute to the development, coordination and implementation of key deliverables including Reconciliation Action Plan, Engagement and Participation Framework across the Reef Authority and Traditional Owner Partnerships Framework.
• Provide project management capability to support successful outcomes and delivery in a strategic and dynamic environment, with the application of knowledge and compliance with legislative, financial, and administrative frameworks, government decision-making processes and agency guidelines and regulations.
• Work collaboratively to deliver and implement strategies and policies, manage associated projects, and contribute to management solutions that provide for the protection and conservation of the Reef, and that contribute to the delivery of work programs for the Strategic Policy section and Reef Authority more broadly.
• Consultation and partnering across governments and with stakeholders on Traditional Owners and other matters relevant to the Reef Authority, including representing the Agency as required.

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Brooke Owens, Assistant Director Strategy – Traditional Owners, Ph

Eligibility

This position is an identified position and is one in which the duties involve extensive engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities or their representatives. The successful applicant must have:

• an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and
• an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. Non-Indigenous applicants applying for this Identified position may be asked to supply a reference from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, group or organisation supporting their skills and ability in the areas identified.

The successful candidate will have qualifications in project management, policy administration and/or equivalent experience.

To be eligible for employment, candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of application.

The position requires a Baseline security clearance. Successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

The successful candidate will be willing to provide identity documents and undergo an identity pre-employment check through a Document Verification Service.

How to apply

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document ("pitch") in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a 'pitch', as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

• how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

• any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

• how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review 'Cracking the Code' and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website:

Please complete your application online and provide:

• your 'pitch' (as described above and in the position description).
• proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
• a current curriculum vitae (resume)

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

Notes

The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit:

Eligibility

Employment with the Reef Authority is subject to:

• Conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999.
• Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) granting a security clearance at the required level.
• Evidence of citizenship status.
• Evidence of qualifications required of the role.
• Evidence of a completed national police-check with no risks identified by the Reef Authority.
• The CEO of the Reef Authority, or their Delegate, approving a Notice of Engagement.
• The Australian Government Security Clearance Application Guide Book provides information on minimum eligibility requirements for holding a security clearance at the required level. Please ensure that you are able to provide the necessary documents if you apply for the position. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the AGSVA website.