First Nations Senior Advisor

$99K – $106K Total Remuneration Package

$88K – $94K Base Salary

Location: Maroochydore

Vacancy No: 3791

Permanent Full-Time

Applications close: Monday, 12 June 2023 11:59 PM

Why work with us?

There is no better place to live and work than on the Sunshine Coast, especially with an outstanding organisation like Sunshine Coast Council.

With the vision to be Australia’s most sustainable region - Healthy, Smart, and Creative, council is at the forefront of delivering a number of region-shaping projects that will see the region become a hub for innovation, entrepreneurship and creativity, along with opportunities and a lifestyle for all to enjoy.

Council aspires to be a leader in First Nations engagement, while nurturing a shared future that embraces culture, heritage and diversity.

Through our Reconciliation Action Plan, Sunshine Coast Council supports social and economic opportunities for Traditional Custodians, the Kabi Kabi peoples and Jinibara peoples and the broader First Nations community.

About the Role

The successful candidate will provide strong leadership, technical and strategic advice and coordination across Council to build our capacity to support and sustain reconciliation outomes for the region and to strengthen relationships and collaborative partnerships, working with the Sunshine Coast First Nations community, to enable social and economic opportunities

In shaping our future environment this role will:

• Coordinate across Council to achieve the delivery of Traditional Custodians commitments as outlined in Council’s policies, strategies and plans
• Coordinate the development, implementation and reporting of Council’s Reconciliation Action Plan to strengthen and embed connection, inclusion, awareness and opportunity as part of our reconciliation journey
• Provide leadership, strong technical and strategic advice and coordination across Council regarding Councils partnerships, engagement and relationships with Traditional Custodians
• Build the capacity of the organisation and foster the development of strong and resilient relationships with the First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) community
• Work in partnership with the Traditional Custodians, the broader First Nations community and across sectors to understand community needs and priorities and support self-determination through economic and community development

• Advise the organisation on First Nations cultural awareness utilised in training programs, employment strategies and celebration of key events such as National Reconciliation Week, Sorry Day and NAIDOC Week

• Lead the ongoing relationship management with Traditional Custodians through regular contact to ensure a strong spirit of cooperation between Council and Traditional Custodians

As part of Sunshine Coast Councils continued commitment to our adopted Reconciliation Action Plan this role in the Community Planning and Development Branch is an Identified Position.

It is a genuine occupational requirement that the incumbent be an Aboriginal person and/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.   Applicants to this position will be required to provide confirmation of their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Requesting proof of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander heritage from applicants helps to make sure that this intention is honoured.

About you

With substantial knowledge and experience working with First Nations state, national and international legislation and compliance you will actively guide initiatives in the region. A Degree in Community Services/ Social Science or related disciplines, or equivalent relevant experience will be essential.

You will have demonstrated experience working in partnership with First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) communities todevelop strong and collaborative working relationships and demonstrated knowledge and respect of First Nations cultural protocols. 

As a leader you will have highly developed interpersonal and communication skills, strong time management, work prioritisation and organisation skills, to ensure work is delivered on time and to a high standard.  Strong business acumen including the ability to prepare professional documents, correspondence and presentations will also be required.

Our Culture & Employee Benefits

Council is committed to creating an inclusive, culturally diverse, healthy, skilled and dedicated workplace culture. As an employee you will enjoy a range of benefits and working styles to suit you:

• Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is important to us therefore we offer a number of different initiatives such as discounted health related memberships, fitness passport, employee assistance program and development opportunities. 
• Flexibility: We know it is important to balance life and work, therefore we offer flexible working including a 9-day fortnight and a hybrid WFH model that help you be your best.
• Extras: Those extras make a difference therefore we offer salary packaging options on novated leases, superannuation, smartphones and devices. We also pay you 17.5% leave loading and generous Superannuation where council will contribute 12% Superannuation in addition to your 6% superannuation contribution.

How to apply

Your written application should include:

• A 1-2 page cover letter demonstrating your ability to fulfil the mandatory and desirable requirements on the Position Profile. Keep the key responsibilities in mind when addressing this criteria; and
• A current resume or curriculum vitae.

Once you have these two documents ready, click ‘Apply Now’ and follow the prompts to complete your application.

Further Information

Helpful information to assist you in completing your application is available on the Sunshine Coast Council website.

To learn more about Council’s vision and projects, you can view the Corporate Plan 2022-2026

For specific enquiries contact Kerrie Forrest during business hours on 0448 186 399.

We're working hard to create an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse community we serve. If you require adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please reach out to the Recruitment Team joinusnow@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.

At Sunshine Coast Council, we embrace differences in gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background including First Nations, disability, religion and sexual orientation. To deliver the best service to our region we want a workforce that reflects the diverse community that we serve.

Sunshine Coast Council strongly encourages local First Nations people to apply for this role.

Traditional Acknowledgement

Sunshine Coast Council acknowledges the Sunshine Coast Country, home of the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples, the Traditional Custodians, whose lands and waters we all now share.

We recognise that these have always been places of cultural, spiritual, social and economic significance. The Traditional Custodians’ unique values, and ancient and enduring cultures, deepen and enrich the life of our community.

We commit to working in partnership with the Traditional Custodians and the broader First Nations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) communities to support self-determination through economic and community development.

Truth telling is a significant part of our journey. We are committed to better understanding the collective histories of the Sunshine Coast and the experiences of First Nations peoples. Legacy issues resulting from colonisation are still experienced by Traditional Custodians and First Nations peoples.

We recognise our shared history and will continue to work in partnership to provide a foundation for building a shared future with the Kabi Kabi peoples and the Jinibara peoples.

We wish to pay respect to their Elders – past, present and emerging, and acknowledge the important role First Nations peoples continue to play within the Sunshine Coast community.

Together, we are all stronger.