Contact Officer:
John Tapim on or 0497 768 975
Closing Date:
11.59pm AEDT, Tuesday 17 March 2026
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 26 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner's Directions 2016.This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants. The opportunity we have available
The First Nations Partnerships Division's objective is to enable and support the department to achieve its deliverables against the socio-economic targets and the Priority Reforms in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap. We also support the delivery of the Our Stories on Country Agreement in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees have shared their aspirations with the department. While the responsibility to achieve these aspirations lies with the department as a whole, we assist through inclusive practices and opportunities that recognise, celebrate, and appreciate the skills, knowledge, and cultural protocols of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
We respect, amplify, and honour the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and communities to build an engaged and responsive workforce that facilitates meaningful engagement and strong partnerships. We foster collaborative leadership for success by guiding unified efforts across all levels to achieve shared goals and positive outcomes. We support action for impact across the department ensuring that initiatives deliver tangible outcomes that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, employees, and communities.
The Division has four key areas of focus:
* Progressing the Closing the Gap Priority Reforms through the Our Stories on Country Agreement
* Commonwealth lead on CtG Essential Community Infrastructure socio-economic target (9b)
* Delivery of remote community infrastructure projects - Barkly Regional Deal and Central Australia Plan Community Infrastructure package.
* Whole of Government First Nations Reporting, Coordination and Initiatives.
* Internal First Nations Strategic Policy Advice.
Who are we looking for?
A person with the following skills and capabilities:
* High Cultural Capability, Leadership and commitment to improving outcomes for regional Australia and First Nations peoples
* High-levels of initiative that thrive in an environment that rewards autonomy, creative thinking and exercising problem-solving skills
* Creative and pragmatic policy thinkers that appreciate the value of a policy is that it's implemented hence the need for delivery through effective program/project management
* Respectful and inclusive stakeholder management and negotiation skills, engaging with a diverse range of government and non-government agencies to support place based outcomes
* Exceptional written communication skills in preparing high-quality briefings, correspondence and reports, in a complex and time-sensitive environment
* A commitment to continual learning and ongoing professional development
* Personal attributes of having patience, flexibility and working respectfully with others
* A collaborative team player who actively contributes to a positive, culturally informed and solutions-focused team environment, supporting staff across the department to achieve shared outcomes.
What will you do?
The EL1 roles will drive and influence change through the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the Our Stories on Country Agreement to embed the Priority Reforms, value the cultures, knowledges and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, families and communities. The successful candidate for this position will be able to demonstrate their capability against the Executive level 1 Work level standards.
* Assistant Director, Culture, Capability and Collaboration Branch - the role will focus on transformation of mainstream organisations (Priority Reform 3) through such things as the delivery of the Cultural Safety Framework and Anti-Racism Strategy.
* Assistant Director, Projects, Policy and Coordination Branch – the role will focus on Data development to support the Closing the Gap Target 9b and Priority Reform Four, including developing data indicators with the National Indigenous Australians Agency, Coalition of the Peaks, community members and jurisdictional governments.
RecruitAbility minimum requirements
The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is committed to supporting the employment and career development of people with disability. Our participation in APS RecruitAbility means we will progress an applicant with disability to a further stage in the recruitment process, where they opt into RecruitAbility and meet the minimum requirements for the vacancy.
You will be asked to indicate if you wish to opt into RecruitAbility in the application form. You must tick the 'opt in' box to participate in RecruitAbility. Simply declaring that you have a disability will not automatically include you.
We provide reasonable adjustments such as access, equipment or other practical support at relevant stages of the recruitment process. Please advise in the application form or the contact officer if you need any adjustments made.
The minimum requirements for this role include:
* A high level of First Nations cultural capability
* effective people management and leadership skills
* excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including working with a diverse range of community and government stakeholders
* excellent communication skills, both written and oral
More information can be found at RecruitAbility scheme: A guide for applicants | Australian Public Service Commission.
What else can we offer?
* We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:
* We provide the environment you need through excellent conditions and a supportive, values-driven culture, allowing you to keep being you.
* An opportunity to use your skills to drive work to embed First Nations outcomes, views and opportunities in the work of the department, and contribute to broader Australian Government approaches
* Flexible working opportunities, including consideration for part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
* Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
* Improve your leadership skills, through the department's Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
Eligibility requirements
This is an Affirmative measure vacancy – This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
This is an Affirmative Measures – First Nations applicants only position. The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an Affirmative Measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975. To be eligible to apply under the Affirmative Measures initiative, applicants must:
* be an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person
* identify as an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person, and
* be accepted by their community as being an Aboriginal person and/or a Torres Strait Islander person
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
* Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
* Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department's preferred medical provider.
* Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
* Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
* Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
Timeline and assessment
A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.
If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.
Applications open: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Applications close: Tuesday 17 March 2026
Application shortlisting: Tuesday 24 March 2026
Further assessments: Week starting 30 March 2026
Selection report finalised: Week starting 13 April 2026
Offers and announcements: Week starting 20 April 2026
The above is indicative only, please reach out to the contact person if you have any questions on the recruitment process or timeframes.
Your application will be assessed against the requirements of the job and the Work level standards. Once the entire applicant pool has been assessed, the panel will create a shortlist of applicants.
If your application is shortlisted, you may be asked to undertake further assessment, this may include work sample testing, interviews, and reference checks.
How to apply
Applications for this opportunity close at 11.59pm AEDT, Tuesday 17 March 2026.
You should submit a brief expression of interest in PDF (no more than 2 pages) that addresses your skills and experience relevant to the 'Who are we looking for' section and an up-to-date CV in PDF (no more than 3 pages).
Your application should be received through the department's online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed will not be accepted.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the recruitment team on 02 6136 8989 or via email at to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.
Please advise the contact officer if you require reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process. The department is committed to the accessibility of our systems. If you identify as someone with disability and you require accessibility assistance or more information, please email
Work with us. Apply now!