Indigenous Officer

We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land across Victoria and Australia.  We respect and honour Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past, present and emerging.  We live, work and play on stolen lands for which sovereignty has never been ceded.

Always has been, always will be Aboriginal land.

Dates                         September 2020 – February 2021 (with potential to extend)

Hours                        Approximately 4-8 hours a week, increasing in the run up to and during the Festival and other peak periods. Hours will vary to fit around your other commitments outside of the festival and key event dates

Remuneration       None – Volunteer role, any relevant expenses covered

Location                  Remote working, with regular monthly meetings via Zoom (and in Melbourne when possible)

Reports to               Operations Manager

About the role

EFFA is setting up its first Accessibility, Inclusions & Diversity Team, to ensure the festival is representative, inclusive and doing things right. The aim of the team is to develop a long-term strategy, alongside processes and procedures to increase our capacity around providing inclusion and access for the festival, as well as to work with the programming teams to develop engaging, inclusive and representative content.

With a focus on platforming First Nations and local stories/perspectives, EFFA is searching for an Indigenous Officer to assist in the conception and delivery of ‘Caring for Country’ the festival’s inaugural First Nations Program Initiative. 

The role will also work to develop and implement our strategy and  will collaborate with the Diversity & Inclusions Officer, and the Programming Team, to ensure film, panels, arts and other content is both appropriate and representative. You will also work with other departments to ensure our language, ways of working and operation is produced correctly.

This position provides the opportunity for creativity and partnership – to collaborate and showcase with organisations and people that you are passionate about, as well as to create procedural change within the organisation. You will be the expert for EFFA and will be listened to, giving you scope to really impact on and form the festival for the future. This a newly created position and team, and as such there will be significant scope for the successful applicant to develop the role.

This is a voluntary position, running from September 2020 to late February 2021 with the possibility of extension. The average time commitment is approximately 4 – 8 hours per week, with more time required closer to the festival. Hours will vary and are flexible to suit around your other commitments. You will be predominantly working remotely, with regular meetings throughout the year.

Please note: While we envision this being an ongoing role of both developing and implementing a long term plan, we do welcome applications from those who wish to undertake a more consultative role of developing the ‘Caring for Country’ programme and/or strategy as standalone projects.

Key responsibilities

• Support the Director in ensuring that EFFA is representative and inclusive of all voices – both internally and within festival content.
• Build and maintain strong links with Indigenous communities and peoples by working with various external stakeholders to deliver EFFA’s First Nations events.
• Lead initiatives to promote EFFA events and grow the festival’s visibility within Indigenous and First Nations’ communities.
• Participate in and facilitate a consultative process to ensure EFFA events have received relevant cultural approvals from Indigenous and First Nations communities.
• Facilitate the participation of Indigenous leaders in EFFA events.
• Work collaboratively with the Operations team to develop a set of procedures around delivering both ‘Caring for Country’ and other events.
• Work with the Impact team to collect data and provide reports regarding outcomes related to the ‘Caring for Country’ initiative.
• Work with the Accessibility, Inclusions & Diversity Team and wider organisation to ensure the celebration of unique and diverse voices in Sustainability.
• Occasional review of film, art and other content and providing expert advice to sensitive discussions around programming
• Support the Programming, Impact and Event teams to ensure events and activities are in line with and appropriately honour film content and to ensure our panels and speakers are appropriately inclusive of Indigenous and First Nations’ voices.

About us

The Environmental Film Festival Australia (EFFA) is an entirely volunteer-run organisation, operating in Melbourne since 2010.

EFFA is more than just a film festival – it’s a catalyst for positive and sustainable change. We inform, inspire, entertain and educate audiences of all ages, sharing films from around the world. Our key mission is to showcase great cinema and art that champions the people, organisations and projects protecting our environment, celebrates nature, flora, fauna and wildlife, and illustrates the unprecedented global threats our world faces, such as climate change, food sustainability, habitat loss and pollution.

Our annual festival includes screenings, art exhibitions, panel discussions, parties and special events. We also run smaller events throughout the year, including digitally. Visit effa.org.au to find out more.

Benefits of volunteering

EFFA has a passionate, values-driven and diverse team who were attracted to the festival for a multitude of reasons: from bringing unique perspectives to the big screen to harnessing their unique skill sets to enact social change. EFFA provides an opportunity to gain experience in a leading arts festival and to help contribute to a better world.  By being part of EFFA, you’ll:

• Inspire audiences of all ages to make positive and sustainable change, as we tackle the biggest challenges the world has ever faced
• Work with and promote the world’s best environmental filmmakers and artists, while being part of one of Australia’s most notable sustainability events
• Enjoy complimentary access to EFFA screenings and events

About you

EFFA is seeking a qualified and passionate professional to help deliver the festival’s First Nations Initiative.

Prioritising warmth, openness and collaboration and with a passion for the arts, environment and platforming diverse voices, you will have a strong vision for how to engage Victoria’s Indigenous and First Nations communities by coordinating a suite of screenings, workshops, talks and special events, in collaboration with our Impact, Programming and Events teams.

You are a passionate individual who knows their stuff and is able to effectively and empathetically communicate with a wide range of people. You will relish the opportunity to establish and implement EFFA’s policies around inclusion and diversity and love developing processes and procedures to make things work.

Inspired to change the festival landscape, you’re someone who is innovative, well-organised and passionate about issues of inclusion, audience and artist participation. 

Working within a small, dynamic team, you will liaise across different departments to ensure policy is communicated and implemented festival wide. As the expert in your area, you’ll be our trusted advisor and will thrive in a situation where you can truly make a difference. And for those times where you don’t know the answer, you’ll be proactive in finding connections and the right people to ask.

Part of the role will include reviewing content and advising teams on how to ensure our programme is diverse, representative and equal. You’ll be guiding us to make change – and chances are you’ve already noted at least 10 things in this job description that you’d recommend changes for.

Key selection criteria

Essential

• You must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and be an active member within the Aboriginal community.
• Relevant experience within an arts, film, festival, events, environmental, community development, not for profit, events, Governmental, and/or Educational environment.
• Has an understanding of environmental issues affecting Aboriginal people and a desire to learn more.
• Excellent communication skills, with a keen eye for effectively engaging Aboriginal people on topics such as arts and the environment.
• Experience in developing and maintaining successful partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and communities.
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple projects and stakeholders simultaneously.
• Proven capacity for self-motivation and an ability to work independently.
• A current Working With Children Check, or willingness to acquire one (at EFFA’s expense)

Desirable

• Knowledge of local environmental organisations and groups.
• An interest in contemporary environmental issues at a local, national and international level.
• A passion for film, particularly documentaries, shorts and issues-based cinema.
• Experience in events management, logistics and stakeholder management.
• High-level research skills and a good working knowledge of Google Suite (Gmail, Sheets and Docs), Slack, Zoom and Basecamp, or similar, or ability to learn.

How to apply

To apply, please email your CV and a cover letter detailing how your experience relates to the key selection criteria outlined above and why you would like to volunteer for EFFA to Operations Manager Freyja Gillard at freyja.gillard@effa.org.au

Applications are due by midnight on Wednesday 16 September and will be assessed as they are received so please apply as soon as possible. We welcome applications from people of all abilities, cultures and backgrounds, although for this role you must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Candidates’ access requirements will be met during the interview process and in an ongoing capacity to ensure success in the role.