SENIOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and s 27 of the Discrimination Act 1991 (ACT). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

As a First Nations organisation, Community First Development values diverse genders, cultures, and backgrounds.  We aim to be an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Reporting to the Regional Manager, the Senior Community Development Officer (SCDO) engages with First Nations’ communities, organisations, and businesses in their region to design and support projects aligned to the community’s long-term goals. The SCDO plays a key role in fostering strong relationships and delivering projects that respond to community priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage with First Nations communities, organisations, and volunteers to identify, design, implement, and manage community development projects.

• Build and maintain effective relationships with community groups, organisations, and volunteers.

• Ensure project activities align with the values and objectives of Community First Development.

• Undertake detailed monitoring, recording, and evaluation of all projects in collaboration with communities and volunteers.

• Contribute to continuous improvement in the organisation’s community development practices.

• Support the recruitment, induction, and screening of volunteers for projects.

• Assist with the broader organisational needs including communications, research, and supporter engagement.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Ability to work respectfully, effectively and collaboratively with First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous people, understanding cultural protocols and expectations.

• Strong project management, organisational and time management skills.

• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to engage diverse stakeholders, prepare clear and persuasive reports, and effectively facilitate meetings and presentations.

• Emotional intelligence demonstrated through strong negotiation and conflict-resolution skills and a capacity to forge and maintain productive relations with a diverse range of people.

• Building strong collaborative relationships with volunteers and stakeholder groups to deliver project objectives.

• Experience and skill in monitoring and evaluation, the ability to reflect and learn from work and apply those learnings.

• Demonstrated information technology and database management skills.

• Ability to travel in regional and remote Australia.

• Applicants must be vaccinated for COVID-19.

BENEFITS

• Working with a First Nations-led organisation

• Access to Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) Salary Packaging options

• Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

ELIGIBILITY 

The successful candidate must hold Australian Working Rights and will be required to undertake pre-employment checks including a national police check, hold or obtain a working with vulnerable people card (or similar for your jurisdiction) and be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.