Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program - Interim Advisory Group

Position Status: Initial period of up to 12 months
Position Type: Non-Ongoing
Location: Remote 
Closing Date: 28 April 2024
Hours: Up to 2 days per month, on average
Remuneration: Sitting fees are aligned with the Remuneration Tribunal (Remuneration and Allowances for Holders of Part-time Public Office Determination (No. 2) 2023)

Overview

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is establishing an interim governance arrangement to support delivery of the Murray—Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program. The interim governance arrangements will support the purchase of $100 million of Water Entitlements to increase water ownership for First Nations Peoples in the Murray—Darling Basin.

Interim governance will be made up of an independently recruited Advisory Group and directorate. They will play a vital role in enabling well-informed decision-making that integrates cultural and commercial factors in the procurement and management of Water Entitlements.

The Advisory Group will develop policies, principles, and protocols to support decision making by the directorate.

the DCCEEW is working with First Nations Peoples to establish an enduring water holding arrangement. When this is ready, the water purchased under the interim governance arrangement will be permanently transferred to the enduring water holding arrangement.

The Role

We are looking for skilled Basin First Nations individuals that are diligent and motivated to increase First Nations Peoples water ownership in the Basin and able to work in a highly dynamic environment. The successful candidates will undertake work that contributes to the management and implementation of the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program.
  
The Advisory Group is being established to support the interim governance directorate commercial decision making. The Advisory Group roles are temporary, and we are seeking applicants to work with the department to develop policies, principles, and protocols.

Advisory group members do not represent themselves, their Nation, or a state or territory government, but rather are utilising their expertise to develop the necessary policies to support the directorate to make informed decisions in the best interest of Basin First Nations.
  
The directorate will manage Water Entitlements purchased through the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program until such time as the portfolio and any remaining funds are transitioned to the enduring water holding mechanism.
  
Up to 8 positions are available for the Advisory Group roles. We are seeking:

• at least one geographic representative from each Basin state and territory
• an equal gender balance
• an equal balance of knowledge, experience, skills, and capabilities
• a number of members who identify as Elders or emerging leaders
• a balance of representation from the northern and southern Basin.

  
In your role, you will be required to:

• provide input and advice on the development of purchasing and trading policies for the program such as market sensitivity, probity, compliance, reporting etc.
• provide culturally informed advice to the directorate.
• provide input and advice on the development of policies guiding the transition of purchased Water Entitlements to the enduring water holding mechanism under the program.
• analyse complex information to provide written and verbal briefings and advice to the directorate.
• undertake complex analysis and interpretation, applying significant judgment when providing advice.
• review policies, papers and processes out of session.

  
Demonstrate behaviours:

• maintain independence when providing advice on the program.
• develop and maintain effective working relationships with the directorate and relevant areas of the department to make informed decisions in the best interest of Basin First Nations within the scope of the program.
• exemplify a high level of resilience, responsibility, accountability, and personal integrity.
• work with the department to achieve balanced and informed decisions.

Essential CriteriaApplicants must meet the following criteria:

• Identify and be accepted as a Traditional Owner in the Basin and have place-based based knowledge of either northern or southern Basin (for which you are applying).
• Be familiar with the Murray—Darling Basin Plan, the Water Act 2007 (Cth) and broader water issues impacting First Nations Peoples in the Basin.
• have traditional and/or cultural ecological knowledge, cultural values, and values associated with water.
• A collaborative mindset, with demonstrated experience building and maintaining strong relationships to positively influence the achievement of results.

How to Apply

1. Prepare a statement of claims, addressing the knowledge and experience; skills and capabilities; please also include your gender and if you identify as Elder or an emerging leader; and desirable criteria where applicable. Statement of claims may be submitted as:
   1. Written application – no more than 750 words
   2. Recorded application (video or voice memo) – no more than 5 minutes long
2. Attach your current resume/CV and contact details of two referees
3. Applicants must identify and be accepted as a Traditional Owner of the Murray- Darling Basin
4. Identify which state(s) you reside in

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview with Commonwealth Government senior executive staff.

Further Information

For further information, including to obtain a copy of the formal position description, the Advisory Group Terms of Reference, or further information on the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, please contact Dan Wilson at First Grade Recruitment on *************@firstgrade.com.au