Aboriginal Senior Commissioning & Planning Officer

Aboriginal Senior Commissioning & Planning Officer

Location: Parramatta and Statewide

Employment type: Temporary Full-Time role up to 30 June 2026

Salary: $125,693.00 pa - $138,510.00 pa, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

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

Your role

The Aboriginal Commissioning Team will sit in the Partnership directorate that is overall responsible for building strong relationships between DCJ and its service providers the team will report directly to Policy and Practice. The role of the Aboriginal Commissioning Team will be to facilitate engagement with the sector and communities in order to increase the number of ACCOs in line with Closing the Gap Priority Reform 2: Building the community-controlled sector.

What you’ll do

The role focuses on enhancing the Department of Communities and Justice’s (DCJ) capacity to commission services for Aboriginal communities and support the growth of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). Key responsibilities include providing evidence-based advice to stakeholders, preparing culturally informed commissioning strategies, and analysing service delivery gaps. The role also involves managing multiple projects and advising on commissioning processes, while addressing challenges such as building data analysis capabilities and promoting a shift towards Aboriginal-led commissioning.

The Aboriginal Commissioning Team is dedicated to improving outcomes for Aboriginal children, families, and communities by supporting the growth and sustainability of the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector. The team is passionate and committed to fostering self-determination and empowerment within the ACCO sector and communities. Our work environment is inclusive, respectful, and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on cultural safety and mutual respect. The successful candidate will join a supportive team that values diversity and committed to create positive change

What we’re looking for

In addition to meeting the essential requirements, the successful candidate must have:

• Experience working in partnerships with Aboriginal Community Control Organisations, Peak bodies and Aboriginal Communities, in planning and designing services, programs.

• Project Management Skills:

• • Proven experience in managing and supporting projects, including preparing reports and briefs, coordinating resources, and maintaining project documentation.

• Communication Skills:

• • Strong ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders
  • Ability to facilitate the exchange of information and respond to enquiries promptly

• Time Management and Prioritisation:

• • Demonstrated ability to deliver a range of project management and support services within tight deadlines.
  • Skill in managing competing priorities effectively

The successful candidate must demonstrate cultural capability and meet the essential requirements for this identified Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander role.

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people.

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.

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://www.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, attach a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).

Applications close Tuesday, 28 January 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Teena Bonham on 0438 248 490 or at teena.bonham@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 Alyxandra Highland via email at: alyxandra.highland@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/