Jobs in Mornington Island (QLD): APS4 Indigenous Engagement Officer - Regional Operations Centre Mt Isa

==============================

Information about the Section/Branch

In late 2008, the Council of Australian Government (COAG) agreed to wide ranging reforms in Commonwealth / State financial relations supported by a range of national agreements and partnerships. The National Indigenous Reform Agreement was created to progress the reforms required to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. This agreement draws together the range of partnerships and wider COAG work that supports achievement of six COAG targets in the areas of life expectancy, child mortality, education and employment.

As part of this, the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Service Delivery (RSD NP) commits the Commonwealth, states and territories to provide $291.2 million over six years joint funding to improve the delivery of services initially in 29 remote Indigenous locations across five jurisdictions (WA, NT, NSW, Qld and SA).

Regional Operation Centres (ROCs) have been established to offer a whole-of-government response to issues identified by these Indigenous communities and to work constructively with Australian, State and Territory government agencies and local government.

The Mt Isa ROC is responsible for the coordination and integration of Indigenous and mainstream government programs and initiatives in the communities of Mornington Island and Doomadgee and the broader service hub of the Gulf of Carpentaria. Staff in the Mt Isa ROC work across these communities to negotiate regional and local agreements for effective partnerships and shared responsibilities.

Description of the role

The role of the Indigenous Engagement Officer is to:

• act as a link between community and government;
• meet and talk to families, individuals, clans and community groups to determine how they want the community to develop and how they can drive and be involved in this development;
• talk with people about how to become more involved in Government decision making and provide support to achieve this;
• provide feedback to community and governments about key government activity in particular the Remote Service Delivery National Partnership;
• work in partnership with the Government Engagement and Coordination Officer (GECO) and other government workers and agencies;
• develop partnerships with other government representatives and agencies working in the community (Eg. Centrelink, Qld Health, Education Qld and local government);
• take a lead role in working with community to develop and implement local plans with government including the Local Implementation Plan (LIP);
• increase local knowledge and understanding of government business; and
• increase governments knowledge and understanding of community.

Desirable qualifications / Additional Comments about the Position

Indigenous Engagement Officers must be a member of the community (or acceptable to the community) and understand the community as comprehensively as possible. This would include understanding who the key stakeholders are and the broad physical, social, historical, cultural and political aspects that make up the community.

Applicants that can demonstrate the following will be highly regarded:

• established links with surrounding communities, an understanding of the community’s dynamics and protocols and the issues and interests of the community;
• prior government employment or familiarity with government processes, program or national priorities;
• prior leadership training with Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Group (ILEF) and/or other recognised Indigenous Leadership program;
• computer literacy; and
• English and non-English speaking proficiency.

The salary for an IEO will be paid at the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) APS 4 base rate ($57,753). In addition to the base salary, the IEO will receive a Remote Locality Allowance and where applicable an interpreters allowance. The hours of work is negotiable.

Contact Officer

Name: Vicki Chong
Phone: 07 4747 3069

How to apply?
Contact Recruitment Queensland to obtain an application form.

Telephone: 07 3004 4763
Fax: 02 6204 7604
E-mail: recruitment.qld@fahcsia.gov.au

Or

Contact Vicki Chong
Telephone: 07 4747 3069
E-mail: Vicki.chonga@roc.gov.au

Salary:	$57,753 - $62,153
Location:	Mornington Island
Closing Date:	11.30pm AEST Sunday after 30 October 2011
Attachments:	- Applicant Kit