Assistant Director, Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Engagement

The National Archives of Australia has a new leadership position for a motivated and enthusiastic candidate to join our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement team. The team is responsible for the strategic and operational implementation of National Archives’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives. This new role enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to connect to and access the national archival collection, services, resources, and employment.The Assistant DirectorAboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement leads and manages staff responsible for developing and delivering policy and initiatives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy, and Implementation Plan.

The Access and Public Engagement Branch is the public face of National Archives of Australia, delivering reference, description and research services, examination of records for release in the open period, exhibition, education and public programs, publishing (including digital publishing), marketing, partnerships and events on site at national and state offices, and online. All programs and activities support the key National Archives’ role of providing an accessible, visible and interpreted national archival collection.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement is responsible for the strategic and operational implementation of National Archives’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives working with business areas across the organisation delivering related functions, policies and activities including collection management, agency engagement and access and public engagement onsite, offsite and online - to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to connect to and access the national archival collection, archival services, and employment.

This ongoing position is in located in our office at Parkes within the Parliamentary triangle, Canberra on Ngunnawal country.

What the National Archives has to offer:

• An inclusive working environment where the experiences and unique perspectives of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are recognised and valued as an integral component of the Australian Public Service (APS).
• A genuine commitment to the career development of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
• Diverse staff networks, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee network; Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group; Diversity and Inclusion network, LGBTIQ+ network, Disability, and carers network.
• Flexible working arrangements, 15.4% employer contribution to superannuation, leave, and access to cultural leave.

About the role:

This is a leadership role within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement section and includes.

• Lead and manage a team to deliver programs of work in line with National Archives strategic directions, change agenda and policies.
• Manage financial and staffing resources, planning, and reporting according to National Archives’ policies and guidelines.
• Provide expert advice, recommend strategic directions, and manage complex or sensitive projects relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with National Archives.
• Coordinate, monitor and review National Archives’ access Memorandum of Understanding with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander link-up and other organisation signatories and Aboriginal Advisory Groups.
• Represent National Archives and build and maintain productive relationships engaging collaboratively with internal and external key stakeholders.
• Promote and apply the principles of APS Values, Code of Conduct, workplace diversity, work health and safety and participative management within a work and team environment.
• Implement, promote and apply the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2030 and Our Values.

Eligibility: 

This is an Affirmative Measures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander vacancy and only open to applicants who:

• are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
• identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and
• are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to successfully undergo a pre-employment check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a Negative Vetting Level 1 clearance level.

Notes:

Relevant tertiary qualifications, experience in administration and management or archives or cultural heritage collection related fields and/or membership or eligibility for membership of relevant professional associations are desirable. In the absence of formal qualifications, you may include evidence of skills, knowledge and equivalent experience in your application relating to administration and management or archival principles and practices relevant to the role.

Affirmative Measures: 

The Affirmative Measure – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Provision, legislated under Section 31, allows agencies to identify a role as open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and is within the meaning of special measures under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

Evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status: 

Confirmation of heritage is a document provided by an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisation ‘confirming’ or ‘endorsing’ that a person is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. We understand that acquiring this can be difficult, and we are committed to ensuring that this does not become a barrier for candidates. Please visit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Recruitment Guide | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au) for more information or contact us to discuss this process and let us know how we can support you.

RecruitAbility: 

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 see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission (apsc.gov.au)

How to apply: 

Applications should be submitted via our e-recruiting system PageUp.

Your application should include:

• The names and contact details of at least two referees, including your current supervisor.
• Resume
• Statement (600 words maximum), describing how your skills, knowledge, experience, and/or qualifications would enable you to perform the duties of the role taking into account the “Performance Expectations” at the relevant classification and the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in the Strategy 2030 and Our Values.