Community Development Lead
About the Role
The Community Development Lead plays a key role in strengthening and embedding community governance, local decision-making, and culturally safe, inclusive development initiatives. The role manages a team of Community Development Coordinators, Community Leads (community-based staff), and Community Engagement and Support Workers.
With an all-of-community focus, the role works with people of all ages and backgrounds to support self-determination and community-led planning. It requires the team to deeply understand each community's demographics, needs, strengths, and aspirations, ensuring that the work is grounded in local governance, culture, and knowledge systems.
Key Responsibilities
* 1. Leadership and Planning
* Provide strength-based leadership and support to the team, ensuring culturally responsive, community-led practice across all communities.
* Work alongside community governance structures and leaders to embed relational accountability, local cultural authority, and community decision-making into all planning and implementation.
* Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure program and operational decisions reflect the aspirations, needs, and cultural integrity of each community.
2. Community Development and Governance
* Facilitate community-led planning processes that prioritise cultural knowledge, community safety, local employment, and inclusive governance.
* Strengthen governance structures and build capacity within the community, ensuring local leadership and succession planning which are central to decision-making.
* Support integrated service delivery that values local cultural authority and strengthens community wellbeing and cultural identity.
3. Program Design and Implementation
* Guide the team to design and implement tailored programs that address community priorities across cultural, social, economic, health, and wellbeing needs.
* Ensure programs build local capacity, create local employment opportunities, and strengthen economic and enterprise development.
* Promote culturally safe practices and respect for First Nations knowledge systems in all aspects of program delivery.
4. Team Development and Support
* Mentor and coach staff, particularly community-based team members, to build their skills and confidence in governance, facilitation, and community development.
* Create a culturally safe and supportive work environment that values and respects the contributions of First Nations staff and community members.
Required Skills and Qualifications
* Experience working with First Nations people and communities with ability to work positively with people's strengths and capacities, seeking opportunities for genuine inclusion.
* Qualifications and/or minimum 3 years' experience in Community Development, Community Services, Youth Development, Education, or related field.
* Experience managing a small team and evidence of strength-based ways of working.
* Strong people skills – teamwork, communication, highly collaborative and an ability to work in a flexible team environment.
* Strong organisation and planning skills.
* Ability to balance competing work priorities and to work to tight timeframes and deadlines.
* Experience in data collection, report writing and sharing data story with a broad audience.
Benefits
* Salary: $116,500 - $121,362 AUD per year (Top End - Darwin)
* A current Working with Children Clearance Notice (Ochre Card) or ability to obtain and a willingness to undergo a National Police Check.
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