Principal Program Officer

Are you motivated to support schools and communities to ensure every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child is successful throughout their educational journey?

The Darling Downs South West Region is seeking someone who is evidence-informed, dynamic and accountable when it comes to improving educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. The Principal
Program Officer (Identified), First Nations will be responsible for leading and managing initiatives that elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to influence school and regional improvement in education.

The role will contribute to the development and management of strategic initiatives and programs that enact shared decision making to respond to regional priorities and community need.

About the Department of Education:

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity,  offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us ( ).

Why this Role?

The Darling Downs South West Region covers many Traditional Lands of First Nations peoples and is on the western slope of the Great Dividing Range in Queensland. It covers an impressive 480,000km2 of land. The region offers dynamic work environments as well as an affordable and community-oriented lifestyle, with access to essential facilities and diverse experiences for singles and families.

The Partnerships and Programs team delivers services in two critical areas from conception to Year 13 - First Nations and early childhood. The team provides advice and guidance through strengths and place-based approaches that privilege voice, agency and co-design. The team acts with urgency to reframe practices that limit achievement, belonging and engagement.

The Principal Program Officer (Identified), First Nations will be responsible for leading and managing initiatives that elevate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices to influence school and regional improvement in education. The role will contribute to the development and management of strategic initiatives and programs that enact shared decision making to respond to regional priorities and community need.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop effective partnerships and support regional teams and schools to decolonise practice when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, families and communities.
• Prepare and quality assure correspondence associated with priority projects and initiatives.
• Lead and manage initiatives that prioritise educational outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, including achievement, wellbeing, belonging and engagement from kindergarten to post schooling.
• Contribute to the leadership of the First Nations team.

About You:

• Be a strong communicator who demonstrates respect for others, openness to diversity, and enhances safety and inclusion across the team.
• Respond proactively, including proposing solutions to complex problems that impact Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
• Be a team player with a focus on quality service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student outcomes.

Mandatory requirements:

• Valid Working with Children Check/Blue card
• Travel and overnight stays are a requirement of the position.
• For this position, it is a genuine occupational requirement that it be filled by an Aboriginal person or a Torres Strait Islander person as set out in Section 7 of the Anti Discrimination Act 1991 for the purposes contained in Section 25 of that Act.

Interested? To Apply:

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should have an understanding of your relevant work history)

• Attached a response providinge clear examples with identified outcomes on how you have:

• Developed effective partnerships to decolonise practice when working with government or non-government organisations to increase participation and inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities.

• Lead and manage projects/initiatives that prioritise outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, inclusive of wellbeing, belonging and engagement from kindergarten to post schooling

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive.

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department.

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted.