Independent Committee Member for Research Institute for Northern Ag (RINA)

Independent Committee Member for ResearchInstitute for Northern Agriculture (RINA)
Paid Committee Position - $3,000 pa
4 Virtual Meetings 
Annual stakeholder engagement event

Utilise your First Nations experience and collaborate with successful and leading industry partners such as NT Seafood Council, NT Farmers Association and NT Cattlemen’s Association while you advocate in strengthening the university’s research performance.

About RINA
Charles Darwin University (CDU) has established the Research Institute for Northern Agriculture (RINA) to develop research capabilities in areas of primary production within the Northern Territory (NT), focusing on horticulture, broadacre cropping systems, biosecurity, commercial aquaculture and pastoral production systems and sustainability. 

The institute was funded through the Regional Research Collaboration (RRC) Program of the Australian Government Department of Education and CDU; since then, it has formed partnerships with industries, other universities, and the Northern Territory Government (NTG).

RINA currently provides a critical mass of research excellence at CDU to address the research, technical and innovation needs of the Northern Australian Agricultural and Aquaculture sectors. The focus is to grow existing capability, attract bright new talents, increase in sharing competitive grants and the primary industries research funding base (Rural Research and Development Corporations) nationally. With this, the institute aims to foster a greater focus for agricultural and aquaculture research in the NT that supports the growth agenda of the broader industry, including First Nations enterprises. The institute believes that by supporting the industries’ economic development builds significant contribution to the Commonwealth and Territory strategic growth for the primary production sectors.

The institute has established a Steering Committee to provide strategic guidance, align resources and goals, and facilitate decision-making. To achieve these objectives and while keeping the size manageable; the committee desires to ensure broad diversity among the members which includes but not limited to gender balance, First Nations representation, regional representation, and areas of expertise.

About the Position

• RINA is seeking an independent member to join our Steering Committee with the focus to represent the First Nations and to provide leadership in this regionally significant program. 
• This individual will have appropriate skills and qualifications to act in the capacity as an independent member of the Steering Committee, contributing on all issues relating to the project and its governance and will provide expert advice and knowledge relating to working with First Nations communities within Northern Australia. 
• The committee will meet 4 times per year by teleconference and will conduct an annual stakeholder engagement event.
• It is a requirement that this role is filled by a First Nations candidate. 

About You
The successful applicant will be a collaborative, innovative professional who is passionate about developing new activities that can improve economic, environmental, and social strength of regional communities in Northern Australia. You will have:

• Experience working with First Nations people in a Northern Australia context.
• An excellent understanding of the Northern Territory environment and a demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse range of stakeholders including industries, government, universities, research and extension organisations and Indigenous groups.
• An understanding of how Northern Australia is impacted by drought at all levels including social, economic, and environmental.
• Formal qualifications in governance (e.g. AICD Company Director’s Qualifications) or equivalent experience.
• Outstanding communication skills with the ability to engage various stakeholders and effectively negotiate and gain results for all parties.

What’s in it for you?

• Work with a University committed to changing people’s lives for the better through training, education, and research.
• Utilise your experience and knowledge relating to working with First Nations communities. 
• Learn and collaborate with successful and leading industry partners such as NT Seafood Council, NT Farmers Association and NT Cattlemen’s Association. 

How to Apply
All applications must be emailed to Kristine McGrath at ***************@cdu.edu.au 

For a confidential discussion about the position or a copy of the position profile please contact Maxine Piggott on 08 8946 67***or email **************@cdu.edu.au

Adjustments can be made throughout the application and selection process, as well as during employment to support applicants and employees with disability. CDU’s Workplace Adjustment Policy and Procedure can be found at https://policies.cdu.edu.au/view-current.php?id=191&version=1. If you would like to discuss adjustments, please contact the People Services Team on 08 8946 71***or email **************@cdu.edu.au.

Diversity and Inclusion

At CDU we actively celebrate our diversity. We innovate, embrace new ideas, and act with courage and kindness. We’re about what we can give to the world rather than what we take, and we believe in the transformative power of education. We work hard to make sure every member of our University community feels they truly belong. Understanding that it is through our focus on our people and leveraging our differences that will make CDU the most connected University in Australia, we are striving to ensure that our culture and our community are inclusive of all our staff, students, and visitors. We are committed to maintaining a culture where everyone feels respected, safe, encouraged to speak up and supported in achieving their professional goals. Applications from First Nations people, women at all levels, culturally and racially marginalised people, people with disability, neurotypical and neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ people, people with family and caring responsibilities and people at all stages of their careers are welcomed.

You make CDU. And we want you to be exactly who you are.  

Applications Close: Monday 8th April 2024