Aboriginal Senior Project Officer

Aboriginal Senior Project Officer

• Location – Parramatta / Negotiable
• Employment type – Ongoing Full-time
• Salary – Clerk Grade 9/10 - $ 125,693 pa - $ 138,510 pa + Superannuation & Leave Loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

The Aboriginal Senior Project Officer manages and coordinates the development, implementation and evaluation of complex projects to achieve project outcomes and support the achievement of organisational objectives. This role is committed to improving outcomes for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

What you’ll do

As part of the Cultural Development and Learning Team of Employee, Experience and Learning Directorate of Corporate Services you will: 

• Support the implementation of the DCJ Cultural Development and Learning Strategy including the review, evaluation and consultation of future strategies  

• Manage and oversee all aspects of project planning, development and implementation for a range of projects, inclusive of cultural lens, including developing project plans, coordinating resources, managing budgets, meeting reporting requirements, and supporting project-related activities, to ensure project outcomes are achieved on time, on budget, to quality standards and within agreed scope, ensuring culture remains at the centre and, in line with established agency project management methodology. 

• Partner with the business to deliver best practice Aboriginal Cultural Development and Learning strategies, programs, and advice to support the business in achieving their objectives and deliver on strategic priorities. 

• Monitor and evaluate all aspects of project implementation, including risk and contingency management, benefits realisation, project impact and quality measures, to identify and address issues, assess project progress and effectiveness, and achieve project outcomes. 

You'll work as part of a culturally supported agile team of five located across NSW, with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement. You will contribute to improving organisational workplace culture in improving the Departments opportunities to grow Cultural Confidence and Intelligence this includes leading and facilitating conversations across MS teams and face to face with employees and senior executive stakeholders across the Department. 

What we’re looking for

• It is fundamental that you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait islander person who has a demonstrated strong understanding of Aboriginal people, lived experience, culture, history, connection and relationship with Aboriginal communities, organisations, ways of working and history 

• Experience in working collaboratively with Aboriginal, Culturally and Linguistically diverse, interagency and community stakeholders to deliver effective learning programs including the ability to establish and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders  

• Experience in large scale strategy re-design, development and implementation including procurement and contract management.  

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills 

• High level of autonomy and ability to meet competing deadlines 

• High-level proficiency in Microsoft Office 365, (i.e. SharePoint, TEAMS, OneNote, Lists, Visio, Excel, PowerPoint to support project documentation, tracking, and communication. 

• Ability to travel across NSW within reason 

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons

Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below: 

• Targeted Question 1 

 Given the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children, families and communities that intersect with DCJ services, it is important that our workforce is able to work in a culturally inclusive and sensitive manner. How have you, or how would you, work effectively with Aboriginal families, colleagues and stakeholders to provide DCJ services?  

• Targeted Question 2 

Describe when you have collaborated with internal and external stakeholders to design / develop a program or project that supported improved outcomes for children and families. What approach did you take to managing project scope, deliverables, planning and outcomes?

Applications close Sunday, 25 May 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Beckie Wells on 0458 109 109 or at rebecca.wells2@dcj.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Poppy Sgro on 02 9765 3929 or via poppy.sgro@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified)

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
 Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.