* Strengthen partnerships with Traditional Owners
* Lead impactful Sea Country projects
* Shape future Marine Park management
Program Manager - Traditional Owner Engagement & Sea Country
We are seeking a candidate with extensive experience in both Traditional Owner engagement and government processes, along with strong communication and project management skills.
As part of the broader drive of the Reef Authority to increase co-management, you will engage with Traditional Owners and across the Reef Authority and other managing agencies to increase meaningful partnerships between Traditional Owners. This will include delivering Sea Country Values Mapping projects, in partnership with Traditional Owners. The role includes project and contract management of the development of new mapping projects, coordination of this work and implementing its outcomes with other areas of the Marine Operations Branch and the broader Reef Authority.
You will communicate and promote activities to a diverse range of audiences and coordinate an interrelated range of projects to ensure alignment and results. You will be a team player, working closely and collaboratively with other areas of the Reef Authority, the Australian and Queensland governments' Reef Joint Field Management Program and a diverse network of stakeholders and Traditional Owners.
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. (further information is provided in the eligibility requirements section below).
What's in it for you
* Contribute to the long-term protection and sustainable management of the Great Barrier Reef.
* Build and strengthen meaningful partnerships with Traditional Owners and Indigenous communities.
* Lead impactful Sea Country projects that influence policy, regulation and on-ground outcomes.
* Work within an inclusive, values‐driven organisation committed to high performance and collaboration.
* Enjoy a supportive team environment with strong stakeholder networks across Commonwealth and Queensland agencies.
* Apply your skills in engagement, project management and governance to complex, high‐value initiatives.
What you'll bring
* Demonstrated experience engaging with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities or organisations.
* Proven ability to foster collaborative, respectful partnerships that deliver shared outcomes.
* Strong project management capability including planning, delivery, monitoring and contract management.
* Understanding of government processes, governance and procurement.
* Excellent communication skills, including producing content for diverse audiences.
* Ability to manage sensitive information professionally and work effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
* A proactive, solutions‐focused approach and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment.
About Us
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) is a Commonwealth non-corporate entity, and a statutory agency established by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Act 1975 (Marine Park Act), reporting to the Minister for the Environment and Water. Our objective is the long-term protection, ecologically sustainable use, understanding and enjoyment of the Great Barrier Reef for all Australians and the international community through the care and development of the Marine Park.
Managing a reef roughly the size of Italy demands many skills and talents, so you don't have to be a marine biologist to contribute to our mission. From finance to marketing roles, we have a team almost as diverse as the ecosystem we protect. Our commitment and dedication to the Great Barrier Reef and the Australian public have a long-lasting impact, and we are looking for individuals who can bring their unique skills, experience, and knowledge to our high-performing and inclusive organisation.
The TUMRA section is responsible for leading collaborative partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Traditional Owners through the Traditional Use of Marine Resources Agreement and Sea Country Values Mapping programs across the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. A key focus for the section is to build and establish new relationships with Traditional Owner groups and relying on a long-standing partnership with Traditional Owners to drive innovative and contemporary co-design approaches on prioritising the inherent responsibility, spiritual connection and Cultural Authority of Traditional Owners to care for Sea Country. The section shares this responsibility with all areas of the Reef Authority to provide a clear and consistent partnership approach that protects Sea Country for future generations.
Ready to make a lasting impact on Sea Country and the Reef?
nrmjobs.com.au/job/20028442