Research Assistant

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation (YMAC) is the Native Title Representative Body (NTRB), delivering native title and other services across the Pilbara, Mid West, Murchison and Gascoyne regions of Western Australia. YMAC is run by a First Nations board of directors, representing several native title groups, each of whom have their own language, culture, traditions and protocols. 

YMAC services include native title claim and future act representation; heritage services; executive office, community, and economic development assistance; land administration, and natural resource management support.

Country is our mother, our provider and keeper of our cultural belongings. Culture and Country go together. You can’t have one without the other.

Through connection to Country, Aboriginal people pursue and achieve economic, social, and cultural goals and aspirations with strength and confidence. 

For current and future generations, we work with and for Australian Aboriginal people to protect rights and manage Country and opportunities.

YMAC’s Research, Country and Culture Services (RC&CS) team provides Research, Heritage, Social Surrounds and Land & Sea Management services to PBC’s and Traditional Owners in the management of their Country and Culture. YMAC’s RC&CS is a skilled and coordinated team of archaeologists, anthropologists, environmental scientists, land and sea management specialists, ranger coordinators, managers and administrators who contribute to the ongoing empowerment of our clients – Aboriginal communities and organisations throughout the Yamatji and Pilbara regions.

YMAC is currently seeking a full time (75 hours a fortnight) Research Assistant to be based in our Perth office. We are open to part time hours (0.6 or 0.8 FTE) for the right candidate. The Research Assistant will provide research and administrative support in relation to the operation of the Research Unit.

The ideal candidate will have 1-2 years’ experience in a similar role, demonstrated experience and confidence with working with Aboriginal communities, excellent communication skills (written and verbal) along with strong organisational and time management skills.

Under the guidance of the Senior Anthropologist, your position responsibilities will include but will not be limited to:

• Assist with supporting all research projects including but not limited to the progression of native title claims and general research enquires, as directed by the Senior Anthropologist and the Research, Country and Culture Services Manager
• Provide research administrative support to the Senior Anthropologists and other inhouse anthropologists as required, for example requesting documents from various institutions.
• Assist the Senior Anthropologist and/or Research, Country and Culture Services Manager (and other staff as appropriate) with Return of Materials (RoM) projects, including maintaining internal databases and attending workshops where required. 
• Assist in the development of Research documents. 
• Assist with filing, archiving and storage of research materials including updating genealogical databases and maintaining the Research Library.

YMAC believes in providing a safe and supportive working environment, and the best way to do that is to ensure our employees are well-looked after. YMAC provides the following in addition to your standard employee experience:

• Salary Packaging 
• Annual CPI increases
• Flexible working arrangements:
  • Working from home arrangements
  • Extra weeks’ paid leave over end of year shutdown
• Cultural Leave for First Nations employees 
• Annual Wellness & Uniform Allowance 
• Paid Parental Leave

If you’d like to know more, our Enterprise Agreement can be found here.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• 1 – 2 years’ experience working in a similar role.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent computer literacy skills.
• Demonstrated capacity to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise a varied workload and meet deadlines.
• Strong organisational and time management skills with a proven track record of managing projects.

Desirable

• Undergraduate qualifications in Social Science (or currently studying qualification in Social Science).
• Knowledge and/or experience in native title and/or heritage in Western Australia (highly regarded).
• Knowledge and experience in filing, archiving and storage of (research) materials.
• Experience working with Aboriginal people and communities.

How to Apply:

Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation is an equal opportunity employer and values inclusion and diversity in all forms including, but not limited to: genders, cultural backgrounds, LGBTQ+, disability & neurodiversity. We strongly encourage First Nations candidates to apply.

To apply for this role please submit your CV and cover letter addressing the above selection criteria via Seek.

A current National Police Clearance is required prior to commencement of employment with YMAC.

Applications for this position close on Sunday 31 March 2024, however applications will be reviewed as they are received.

If you have any questions relating to this opportunity, please call the People and Development Team on (08) 9268 70***or email *******@ymac.org.au.