PN925 Assistant Director Strategy (Traditional Owners) 

EL1

Ongoing/Non-ongoing; Full-time

Closing: Wednesday 19th March 2025, 11.59pm AEST

Contact Officer: Roger Beeden; Ph: 0404 330 859

The Position

We are seeking an agile and highly-skilled executive level professional with experience in government, natural resource management and/or issues affecting Traditional Owners or First Nations peoples to provide strategic advice on a range of high-level issues, opportunities, and challenges related to the Great Barrier Reef and its management.

You will join a dedicated team delivering outcomes on a range of complex, contemporary strategic policy initiatives in the Reef space, including Traditional Owner strategy and partnerships; sustainable fisheries; protected species; international activities and World Heritage. The position will support the development and alignment of the Authority’s strategic direction and work in partnership with key stakeholders and a diverse network of stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, to maintain the resilience of the Reef. This includes issues affecting the Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of the Great Barrier Reef.

You will lead, manage and motivate a small team to deliver high quality outcomes and achieve objectives.  The Assistant Director plays a key role in developing advice, setting strategic direction and developing and implementing positions, policy and actions that contribute to the long-term protection and conservation of the Reef. This includes providing high level support and advice through the section Director to the Reef Authority’s senior leadership and Marine Park Authority Board; participating in external forums; and delivering projects and management actions. 

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and prepare complex high quality advice and written material – for the Director and senior leadership team, stakeholders and service providers – that is timely, practical, transparent and risk-based. 
• Provide high level strategic advice to the Director, the Executive and the Board on policy and strategy matters and other issues relevant to the Authority’s business. 
• Collaboratively develop and manage strategies (particularly regarding Traditional Owners) for the delivery of the Authority’s Corporate Plan, Blueprint 2030, the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan, as well as other strategic documents. 
• Manage the development, coordination and implementation of key deliverables, including, but not limited to, the agency’s journey towards co-management with Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner Implementation Plan and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage strategy. 
• Consultation and partnering across governments and with stakeholders on Traditional Owner matters and other matters relevant to the Reef Authority, including representing the Agency as required.
• Deliver the Authority’s corporate objectives and actively participate, as part of a committed team member, to the Strategic Policy Section’s work.

About the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority: The Reef Authority is dedicated to the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef. We work closely with stakeholders, including Traditional Owners, marine industries, and local communities, to deliver positive environmental outcomes and ensure the Reef’s resilience.

At the Reef Authority, we foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, and leadership at all levels and promote a diverse and inclusive workplace.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in public sector administration and understanding of government policy and workings
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in working on programs and projects relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.
• A strategic mindset with the ability to navigate diverse, complex subject matter areas and apply innovative problem-solving approaches.
• A strong interest and/or broad knowledge of the Reef and its key threats, with the ability to negotiate consensus in a landscape of competing views.
• Resourcefulness and the ability to work with limited direction, demonstrating sound judgment, logic, and discretion to achieve high-quality outcomes.
• Exceptional written communication skills, a keen eye for detail, and a proven track record of completing tasks on time and to a high standard.
• Strong team collaboration skills, maintaining effective relationships with both internal staff and external clients.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, adaptable across all levels within the agency.
• A deep understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Note: this position is an identified position and is one in which the duties involve extensive engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, Traditional Owners, Indigenous communities or their representatives. 

The successful applicant must have:

• an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and
• an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply.  Non-Indigenous applicants applying for this Identified position may be asked to supply a reference from an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, group or organisation supporting their skills and ability in the areas identified.

How to apply for the position

Please ensure you read the instructions below and on the Position Description carefully, noting failure to address identified requirements may lead to your application being deemed ineligible.

You will be required to prepare a response document (“pitch”) in MSWord or PDF format using standard margins and size 11 Arial font.

Please prepare a ‘pitch’, as outlined in the Position Description, in relation to the advertised role, outlining:

1. how your experience, abilities, knowledge and personal qualities would enable you to perform the duties and meet the technical and behavioural capabilities of the role.

2. any specific examples or achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

3. how you meet the eligibility requirements and qualifications for the position.

When you include an example, you should explain;

• your personal role in the task.
• the methods you used.
• any barriers you were able to overcome, and
• the outcome.

When crafting your response, we encourage you to review ‘Cracking the Code’ and the relevant Australian Public Service Work Level Standards which can be found on the Australian Public Service Commission website: www.apsc.gov.au.

Your application must include:
1. your ‘pitch’ (as described above and in the position description).
2. proof of Australian citizenship (an Australian Passport or Australian Birth Certificate)
3. a current curriculum vitae (resume) that includes: 

• an outline of your career history.
• qualifications and/or formal/informal training relevant to the position.
• contact details for at least two recent referees, one of whom should be your current supervisor.

Applicants are advised to read further information provided on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority Careers website. 

To apply for this position, please see the vacancy listing on The Reef Authority’s Career Portal.

PLEASE NOTE: - The panel may not consider additional information such as a cover letter or content exceeding the page limit.

The current position is ongoing however through this process may create a merit pool to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions that become available within the next 18 months.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme, you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job.  For more information visit: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability