Cultural Engagement Officer (Identified)

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MacKillop Family Services is seeking an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Engagement Officer (Identified) to strengthen cultural engagement within the Seasons team, delivering evidence-based programs that support children, young people and adults through change, loss and grief. This non-ongoing, full-time role is based in Belrose NSW or South Melbourne VIC and reports to the National Disaster Lead. You will build and sustain relationships with First Nations companions and communities, coordinate RAP actions, and promote programs across schools and health services while upholding MacKillop’s Sanctuary values. To succeed you must be an Indigenous candidate with deep cultural knowledge, experience in community engagement, and relevant qualifications, plus a current driver’s licence and the required checks. Shortlisting may begin immediately, so tailor your cover letter to address the criteria with concrete RAP engagement examples and outcomes, and demonstrate your ability to network internally and externally.

• Make a meaningful impact by strengthening cultural engagement across communities.
• Join a passionate team delivering evidence-based programs that support children, young people and adults through change, loss and grief.
• Location: Belrose (NSW) or South Melbourne (VIC)

This is an exception under NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 Section 14(d) for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only. 

This is a special measure under the VIC Equal Opportunity Act 2010 Section 12 and Section 89 for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only 

The position will be open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants only

About The Role:

The Cultural Engagement Officer is part of the MacKillop Seasons team. This team delivers evidence-based programs that help children, young people, and adults navigate change, loss, and grief in schools and communities.

In this role, you will provide specialist support to engage and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander companions, stakeholders, and communities. You will promote and deliver the Seasons suite of programs and contribute to MacKillop’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) through implementation, tracking, and monitoring of deliverables.

Reporting to the National Disaster Lead, you will work collaboratively within the Seasons team to support program promotion, engagement, and planning internally and externally.

About You:

You are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with a strong understanding of cultural values and community needs. You bring experience in community engagement and a passion for supporting programs that make a difference. Your ability to build relationships, manage projects, and communicate effectively will help you succeed in this role.

This is a non-ongoing fulltime opportunity based in Belrose (NSW) or South Melbourne (VIC), reporting to the National Disaster Lead.

 Key Responsibilities:

• Liaise across the MacKillop Season team to build strong internal relationships that generate interest in, and adoption of culturally appropriate expressions of the programs in collaboration with the Cultural Consultant.
• Coordinate the progress and delivery of RAP actions through appropriate strategies.
• Collaborate with the MacKillop Seasons teams to support individual understandings of culturally respectful engagement to achieve RAP deliverables.
• Liaise with the Nanyubak Unit - First Nations Practice and Partnerships, RAP committee and MacKillop Family Services networks to build strong relationships pertaining to RAP deliverables.
• Build internal networks at MacKillop Family Services to leverage the expertise and wisdom that exists within the organisation, always reflecting the MacKillop values and Sanctuary commitments.
• Build networks with ACCOS/Health Services/Schools to promote a wide range of MacKillop Seasons evidence-based wellbeing programs for First Nations children, young people, families and their communities.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Individual of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait cultural background
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders that may affect engagement strategies for MacKillop Seasons Programs and RAP actions delivery.
• Formal qualifications and/or work experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community development, health, community services or project management fields.
• Experience in coordinating effective community and stakeholder engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Please address the selection criteria in a cover letter. You can find the full selection criteria in the Position Description.

 For more information, please contact: Brooke Nester [email protected]

What we offer at MacKillop:

• SCHADS (Level – 6) Dependent on qualifications & experience
• More money in your pocket – salary sacrifice up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Wellbeing that matters - Free, confidential support for mental, physical, financial and social wellbeing.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop’s work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.
• First Nations career pathways – Warrungarli Strategy supporting recruitment, retention and professional development
• Community & connection – Opportunity to join Ngindaay Guumaldanha, our Aboriginal Staff Network

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles). MacKillop can assist successful candidates with their application.

Our Commitment:

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.

We value the unique knowledge, perspectives, and cultural contributions of First Nations peoples. Your experience and insights are important to us, and we strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to apply.

Curious about the MacKillop vibe? Jump onto Instagram and follow @mackillopcareers for a fun, inside look at our team culture.