Aboriginal Practice Leader

Job description

Lead Cultural Practice. Champion Self-Determination. Shape the System.

Njernda Aboriginal Corporation is seeking a culturally confident and experienced Aboriginal Practice Leader (APL) to provide specialist cultural leadership within The Orange Door (Loddon) and Njernda Family Services. You'll ensure Aboriginal children, families and communities experiencing family violence, child wellbeing concerns and complex needs receive culturally safe, trauma-informed and self-determined responses, providing secondary consultation and mentoring across The Orange Door workforce.

This is a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander position under a special measure in accordance with section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

About the role

Reporting to the Family Safety Coordinator, you'll be a member of both The Orange Door team and Njernda's Family Services team, working across The Orange Door co-locations including the Bendigo Hub and Echuca Access Point.

• Lead culturally safe, integrated practice for Aboriginal children, families and perpetrators
• Embed Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing across The Orange Door workforce
• Provide expert secondary consultation on complex and high-risk cases
• Mentor and build practitioner capability in culturally safe service delivery
• Strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and governance groups
• Promote Aboriginal voice, choice and self-determination in service pathways, driving system improvements
• Provide strategic advice on culturally responsive practice and risk

Why join Njernda?

At Njernda Aboriginal Corporation you'll be part of a values-driven, community-controlled organisation, guided by our values of Respect, Accountability, Resilience, Advocacy and Cultural Sensitivity.

• $118,000 annual salary (SCHADS Level 7.1) + Super
• Generous salary packaging benefits (not-for-profit)
• Victorian Ambulance Membership reimbursement (for you and your family)
• Supportive team environment and access to supervision
• Ongoing professional development opportunities
• Genuine work–life balance and the benefits of a regional lifestyle
  

Selection Criteria - these must be addressed

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identified position. To be considered, your application must include a separate document responding to each of the numbered criteria below.

1. Relevant qualifications in Social Work, Community Services or related fields, and/or extensive relevant experience
2. Willingness to complete further study if required under Mandatory Minimum Qualifications (Recommendation 209, Royal Commission into Family Violence)
3. A minimum of 3 years' experience in a relevant role
4. Experience in family violence, child and family services and/or perpetrator interventions
5. Demonstrated ability to provide cultural leadership and specialist practice advice
6. Strong knowledge of Aboriginal culture, local community aspirations and self-determination principles
7. Highly developed relationship-building and negotiation skills
8. Strong analytical and organisational capability
9. Ability to influence system reform and drive cultural change
10. Initiative, accountability and professional integrity
11. Capacity to work collaboratively and foster team cohesion

Desirable: Advanced knowledge of MARAM, the Best Interests Framework and Victorian family violence service systems, and experience contributing to coordinated responses, audits or quality improvement processes.

How to apply

Applying is simple — just click the Apply button and complete the online form.

Your application must include:

1. An up-to-date CV
2. A cover letter
3. A separate response addressing each numbered Selection Criterion above
4. Contact details for at least two professional referees

Before applying, please ensure you meet the following requirements:

• Current and valid Victorian Working with Children Check
• National Police Check
• Current and valid full Victorian Driver's Licence
• Eligibility to work in Australia
• Vaccination status and pre-employment screening in line with Njernda's policies and procedures

Please note, late applications and incomplete applications without key selection criteria responses, will not be considered.