Employment Type: Fixed Term. (0.6 FTE) 3 days a week.
Term:Up to two years
Hours: 7.6 hour day, flexible hours
Location: Lismore Office (with flexible working arrangements)
Role Type: This is an Aboriginal targeted role, which means we can preference a suitably qualified Aboriginal person, but non-Aboriginal applicants are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Background
Jagun Alliance’s vision is clear – “We care for Country, as Country cares for us”. As an Aboriginal led not for profit charity, we focus on Caring for Country through Community leadership and benefit sharing. We have a diverse range of community, government and sector partnerships and projects delivering positive impacts. Caring for Country means everything to us. Jagun Alliance is on the ground, in the community and wherever we are welcome to connect, listen, learn, act or share knowledge and practice’s that are good for Community and Country. We are based in the Northern Rivers region of NSW and engage widely in purposeful partnerships with First Nations communities, government organisations, local industries, motivated landholders and the wider community to care for, protect and restore Jagun (Country).
Jagun Alliance is the Lead community organisation in a collaborative First Nations Youth Empowerment Program. The "Jagun YEP" program will provide wrap around support for at-risk youth through a culturally embedded framework centred on deep connection to culture, community and Country. The Jagun YEP program will positively assist at-risk, marginalised First Nations young people to develop life skills; increase participation in education; training and employment programs; promote engagement in positive community and family activities; decrease anti-social behaviour and criminal activity; build resilience through a collaborative delivery model grounded in connection to Country.
The project empowers participants by providing a solid grounding for their personal awareness and professional development and enabling them to become effective cultural custodians with a particular emphasis on cultural land care practices. Young people will be able to spend intensive time on Country, learning from cultural mentors and Elders about seasonal changes, traditional foods, bush medicine, tracking animals, fishing, and sustainable harvesting practices. By weaving together cultural strengthening, traditional skills, therapeutic support, and positive mentorship, Jagun YEP helps young people develop capabilities in planning, risk assessment, good decision-making, build resilience, strengthen identity and purpose to avoid interactions with the justice system.
Purpose of Position
The Youth Coordinator role will be supervised by the Community Programs Coordinator under the guidance of the Community Partnerships Lead while working closely with other Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation staff and partners.
This role will lead the planning, program design, implementation, monitoring, and reporting of the Jagun Youth Empowerment Program under the guidance of Project Steering Group (PSG). The Youth Coordinator will work closely with the Youth Empowerment Facilitator, other project staff and other collaboration partners to engage participants and families in learning activities with Jagun and partner organisations. This will include:
- Experiential learning through being involved in cultural activities Identifying and connecting participants to suitable cultural, training, education, mentoring, employment and therapeutic pathways.
- Documenting participant experiences and developmental pathways.
- Facilitating family and community engagement activities/events.
The role will identify and facilitate opportunities for participants to engage in activities such as cultural burning, ecological restoration and monitoring work. The role will contribute to Project and Stakeholder Management systems to support the overall coordination and oversight of relationships and outcomes across Jagun Alliance.
Key Responsibilities
- Coordinate project work including workshops, learning activities, partner meetings, and other community engagement activities in close cooperation with the Project team, team-oriented partners and other Jagun project activities.
- Coordinate and participate in Project meetings as required and facilitate/support effective cultural governance to help guide Project Activities.
- Develop and maintain strong working relationships with Jagun Alliance colleagues and cultural advisors, partner organisations, participating communities, and other Project participants, including Aboriginal Elders, community members and relevant community groups, government and non-government organisations.
- Guided by local Elders and cultural advisors, assist the Project team to identify and organise hands-on training and mentoring opportunities for participants to support their learning and growth.
- Identify appropriate individual referral pathways for each participants learning and engagement plans.
- Document project activities, outcomes and work with the Project team to contribute to project planning, MEL (monitoring, evaluation and learning) and reporting (Including the development and implementation of participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning approaches with project participants).
- Work with the Project team and other Jagun staff to gather participant feedback, develop videos, photos and other communications products, as appropriate to communicate with communities and project funders on project progress and outcomes.
- Assist in the implementation of policies and procedures to ensure the safe and successful delivery of project activities.
- Attend relevant forums, training sessions, seminars and workshops that will inform and support the achievement of the objectives of the project.
- Other duties as requested by the Senior Leadership Team.
Skills And Experience
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and the ability to work with Aboriginal and culturally diverse people.
- Proven experience in leading and coordinating community/youth engagement programs and successfully delivering projects with local communities.
- Strong communication, empathy, and crisis intervention skills, along with the ability to build trust and create safe environments for young people.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and also effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate community engagement and project implementation work, including keeping project records and reporting on community events and project outcomes.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, a proactive attitude and motivation to build relationships.
- Well-developed verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to carry out field-based activities where required. This will require a reasonable level of fitness and willingness to stay overnight in remote locations on occasion.
- Ability to drive 4WD vehicles.
- Current NSW Working with Children Check
- Current First Aid and CPR
- A tertiary or vocational training qualification in education, health, youth work, social sciences, or a related discipline.
Jagun Alliance can support successful applicants in obtaining these requirements.
Please send your CV with a Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria.
Application closes: 11:59pm 3rd October 2025
Unlock job insights
Salary match Number of applicants Skills match
To help fast track investigation, please include here any other relevant details that prompted you to report this job ad as fraudulent / misleading / discriminatory / salary below minimum wage.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
📌 Youth Empowerment Coordinator
🏢 Jagun Alliance Aboriginal
📍 Lismore City Council