Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand
Operations Lead – NILS NT (ECO099)
Job description
* Newly created role based in the NT, partnering with First Nations Communities
* Salary packaging, gifted leave at Christmas and Easter, paid parental leave
* Competitive above-award salary, above SCHADS Level 7.1
About the Role
This role is for someone who lives in the Northern Territory; their local pre-existing connections and knowledge are key to the success of this role.
The No Interest Loans (NILs) Program, founded by the Good Shepherd Sisters in 1981, is Australia's largest microfinance initiative providing low-income individuals and families with safe, affordable credit for essential goods and services. In partnership with the Department of Social Services, NILs is expanding in the Northern Territory to promote financial inclusion and health outcomes through culturally safe, community-led solutions, particularly in regional, remote, and First Nations communities.
The Operations Lead – NILs NT will play a pivotal role in supporting and expanding NILs delivery across the NT. Reporting to the State Manager-NILs WA/SA/NT, this position is based in the Northern Territory, and will oversee program operations, strengthen existing delivery, and drive growth initiatives in partnership with communities. The role involves working closely with internal microfinance teams, external NILs Network partners and cross-sector stakeholders requiring strong collaboration, cultural understanding, and community engagement skills to achieve outcomes that are respectful, inclusive, and sustainable.
This position will lead territory-wide implementation to enhance NILs service offerings, strengthen integration with social services, and support deeper, longer-term impacts for clients. The role values lived experience, cultural insight, and knowledge of community priorities, with opportunities to work directly with First Nations communities and partner organisations to shape how services are delivered.
The role requires flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to respond to competing priorities, with opportunities to co-locate at partner sites and build trusted, respectful relationships with communities across the NT.
This is a maximum term role for two years, with the possibility of extension.
Whilst you will predominantly work from your home base in the Northern Territory, the nature of the work will require you to travel across NT periodically. This travel will likely include both the larger locations of Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs and on occasion remote community locations.
It is anticipated that the work may also occur from the office locations of our place-based partners, of which there are multiple sites across the NT.
Key Responsibilities
Partnerships & Community Engagement
* Build and maintain relationships with NILs providers, ACCOs, community organisations, and government bodies.
* Strengthen engagement with First Nations communities through culturally safe outreach.
* Lead business development to onboard new delivery and referral partners across the NT.
* Represent NILs at events to promote the program and share community insights.
Program Delivery & Capacity Building
* Oversee NILs delivery across NT, ensuring services meet diverse community needs.
* Monitor provider performance and offer targeted support for service quality.
* Act as the primary contact for delivery issues and escalations.
* Coordinate culturally respectful provider meetings, training, and events.
Data, Insights & Continuous Improvement
* Use data and research to inform service design and future development.
* Collaborate with providers to enhance performance and expand NILs reach.
* Produce clear, actionable reports from gathered insights.
* Identify opportunities for innovation and improvement based on evidence and feedback.
About you
* Relevant tertiary qualifications in areas such as community development, social work, health, or education.
* At least 5 years of experience in a related role within the social services sector, with a focus on program implementation.
* Demonstrated project management experience, including planning, execution, and evaluation of collaborative projects and initiatives.
* Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong networks of stakeholders, including government agencies, corporate partners, community organisations, and relevant service sectors.
* Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data to inform decision-making and strategy development
* Experience working with First Nations communities, understanding culturally safe practices and fostering inclusive engagement is highly desirable.
* Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills to work effectively across diverse teams and networks.
Benefits
* Salary packaging – which can add up to $15,900 in tax-free pay per year
* 4 days gifted leave at Christmas and Easter (pro rata)
* Up to 100 hours of paid study leave (where relevant to role)
* Hybrid working arrangement
* 12 weeks paid parental leave (primary career)
* Additional leave through purchased leave pathways
* Employee Assistance Program, a free and confidential counselling service
* Eligible for participation in the portable long service leave program
About Us
Our strategy outlines the world we want to see and our role in advancing it. We aspire for all women, girls, and families to be safe, well, strong, and connected. We strive for equity, dignity and social justice for women, girls and families by collaborating globally and acting locally, supporting our communities in Australia and New Zealand to thrive.
We want women, girls and families to live full and dignified lives, have dignified income and enjoy financial wellbeing. We aim to provide place-based, people-centred, holistic services while working at the system level to achieve bold and audacious reform. We currently offer microfinance programs and products, financial counselling and coaching, family and domestic violence support services, family and youth programs, playgroups, education programs and community houses. These services are complemented by research and strong advocacy to address the underlying structural causes of injustice, exclusion, and inequality.
Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand (GSANZ) respects the dignity of all people, draws strength from, and celebrates the diversity of our community. At GSANZ, we strive for an inclusive culture where all identities feel safe and that they belong. We welcome and actively seek applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people of all sexual orientations and gender expressions and identities, people with disability, and culturally and racially marginalised people. Each person's individual decision regarding disclosure will be fully respected.
How to apply
Please click 'Apply Now' to complete your application. Please upload your resume and a brief cover letter addressing the requirements of the role.
To view the position description, please email using the subject line: Operations Lead – NILS NT (ECO099) enquiry via EthicalJobs.
We recognise that applicants may hesitate to disclose their need for adjustments during recruitment due to concerns about discrimination. To address this, Good Shepherd asks all candidates about any required accommodations, with the intention of minimizing any sense of exclusion or discomfort associated with requesting adjustments.
Good Shepherd believes in genuine inclusive practice and employment and will therefore offer job customisation to meet the varying needs of diverse candidates.
Personal data held by Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand relating to employment applications will be used in accordance with our Privacy Statement, which is available on our website.
We recognise the rich diversity of people across Australia. We are committed to ensuring that our team is reflective of the diverse community we serve and to supporting a culture of equity, inclusion and diversity.
Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand is a Child Safe employer. Employment is subject to satisfactory referee checks, a current employment working with Children Check, National Criminal History check and proof of the right to work in Australia.
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