First Peoples Program Officer
Oxfam Australia- Permanent - Full Time
- Hours per week: 35 hours
- Location: Melbourne
- Applications close date: 29 May 2026
About Us
At Oxfam Australia, we believe all lives are equal and no-one should live in poverty. We are a member of Oxfam International, a global confederation working with partners and local communities in 76 countries.
Would you like to join this global movement of people working together to eliminate the inequalities that keep people in poverty?
We are currently seeking a First Peoples Program Officer to join our team.
Description
The Role
Reporting to the First Peoples Program Executive Lead, the First Peoples Program Officer plays a key role in supporting the coordination and delivery of projects and initiatives aligned to Oxfam Australia’s First Peoples Strategy.
This position works closely with internal teams, external stakeholders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations to provide high level administrative, operational and project support across the Program. Acting as a central coordination point, the role supports project planning, events and community gatherings, stakeholder engagement, communications and reporting activities to help ensure programs are delivered effectively and in line with organisational priorities.
Oxfam Australia is seeking a highly organised, collaborative and values driven professional who is passionate about First Peoples justice, self determination and community led change. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast paced environment, enjoys building strong relationships and can confidently manage multiple priorities while contributing to meaningful social impact work.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide high level administrative and operational support to the First Peoples Program team, including maintaining effective systems, records and documentation.
- Act as a central coordination point for internal and external stakeholders, supporting communications, collaboration and timely responses to enquiries.
- Support the planning, coordination and delivery of projects and program activities, aligned to Oxfam’s First Peoples Strategy.
- Coordinate meetings, events and community gatherings, including logistics, stakeholder engagement and participant liaison.
- Contribute to the program administration, financial processes , information management systems and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Assist with drafting project proposals, concept notes, reports and program communications in line with organisational and donor requirements.
- Support recruitment, onboarding and coordination of volunteers and provide broader team support as required
For any enquiries relating to this role, please contact hr@oxfam.org.au
Skills And Experiences
Essential:
- Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations.
- Experience in project coordination, administration or program support, ideally within the not-for-profit, community or development sector.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities, deadlines and stakeholder relationships.
- Experience coordinating events, meetings and community engagement activities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and cross-cultural communication.
- Strong administrative and computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite.
A little about you (Key Selection Criteria)
- Must be able to demonstrate good communication and organisation skills.
- Must be able to work with a diverse range of First Nation communities and Partners.
- Must be able to work in a high-pressure environment and as part of a team.
- Must be able to support the First Peoples Team with coordination and upkeep of communications including, but not limited to website, applications.
How to Apply
Complete the online application form, then, as three separate documents, upload:
- A cover letter that tells us why you want to join Oxfam Australia, and how your professional history and lived experience make you the right candidate.
- Your CV.
- Your response to the key selection criteria outlined in the advertisement.
Here is the link to the Position Description
What we can offer you
- Superior leave benefits and access to a generous not-for-profit salary packaging program (up to $18,450 of your salary tax-free).
- The opportunity to use your talents and expertise to make a positive impact around the world.
- We value flexibility and seek to support our people in ways that meet their work/life commitments and support their wellbeing.
- Cultural leave
- Superannuation matching
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Our culture is shaped by our values, which reinforce what we care about and how we do things, not just what we do. Our core values of Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability and Courage drive everything we do at Oxfam.
Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Therefore, our people are required to comply with the One Oxfam Child Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policies and sign the Oxfam Australia Child Safeguarding and One Oxfam Employee Codes of Conduct.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We care deeply about creating a safe and inclusive workplace where our people feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applicants with personal experience of the forms of injustice we seek to address to apply for opportunities at Oxfam Australia.
Australian work rights
Applicants will be required to show proof of their right to work in Australia the subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which include Police Checks and Misconduct Disclosure Scheme outcomes, before commencement. Pre-employment checks are not used by Oxfam Australia to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.
Oxfam Australia will not recruit international candidates who do not hold visas permitting them to work in Australia. Oxfam Australia does not provide visa sponsorship.
Additional information
For ongoing roles, candidates will be required to have a minimum of 2 years' Australian work rights from the date of commencement of their employment with Oxfam Australia. For fixed-term roles, candidates will be required to have work rights for the full duration of the contract.
At Oxfam Australia, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture where everyone's rights are recognised and respected. Guided by feminist principles and core values, we embrace different perspectives and work to eliminate systemic inequities that perpetuate discrimination. We centre and amplify the voices of people with lived experience and work in solidarity to build a future where no one is left behind.
Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is reflected in our actions, Oxfam Australia:
- Supports employee-led committees
- Promotes consultative ways of working and decision making
- Maintains a comprehensive enterprise agreement that prioritises employee well-being, as demonstrated through multiple leave types
- Provides ongoing awareness and training on unconscious bias, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices, ensuring alignment with Oxfam’s values
- Ensures a fair and accessible recruitment process