Director, First Nations Languages - Affirmative Measures - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, First Nations Policy & Regional Arts 

Executive Level 2  

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under Section 26 of the Australian Public Service Commissioner's Directions 2016.This vacancy is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

We actively seek to reflect the diversity of the Australian community in our workforce.  We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability and/or who are neurodivergent, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including people of all genders and gender identities. We uphold gender equality as a core organisational value. If you’re interested in the role but feel uncertain, we still encourage you to apply if you feel your passions, transferable skills and valuable experience align with this position.

The opportunity we have available

We are seeking a talented and committed First Nations leader to join the First Nations Policy Branch within the Office for the Arts.

The Branch is responsible for a diverse and complex portfolio of First Nations policy and programs, including First Nations Languages, Repatriation, and the development of standalone legislation in Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Expressions (TK/CE), including action to ban inauthentic art. Our work spans major program delivery, legislative reform, Closing the Gap Priority Reforms, cultural heritage, and sustained engagement with communities, peak bodies and other governments.

This role sits at the centre of Priority Reform change. Working in partnership with the Language Policy Partnership and our peak partner First Languages Australia, you will steward system‑level reform to strengthen First Nations language revival, maintenance and transmission. You will lead the delivery and reform of a large grants and commissioning program, ensuring compliance with PGPA and CGRs while actively improving alignment with Closing the Gap Priority Reforms.

The role requires deep capability in shared decision‑making, adaptive reform leadership, and culturally grounded partnership practice, as well as the ability to operate effectively in complex, high‑profile and politically sensitive environments.

What will you do?

As an EL2 leader, you will lead a significant program and policy function, shaping strategic direction, delivering high‑profile reform initiatives, and providing expert advice to senior executives and Ministers. You will exercise judgement and leadership in ambiguous settings, balancing institutional accountability with genuine partnership and community‑led outcomes.

Your leadership will help ensure the Office’s work is culturally grounded, evidence‑informed across knowledge systems, and delivers tangible, long‑term outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In this role, you will:

• Be working in partnership with the Language Policy Partnership and our peak partner First Languages Australia, including through shared decision‑making arrangements, you will drive strong action and Priority Reform change across Government in relation to First Nations Languages.
• Steward the reform of a major grants and commissioning program, including governance, risk management and compliance, while redesigning systems to better support community‑led approaches.
• Build, maintain and protect trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities, grounded in respect, cultural humility and shared decision‑making.
• Provide authoritative, balanced advice to senior executives and Ministers, drawing on evidence, stakeholder perspectives and lived experience.
• Lead, mentor and develop multidisciplinary teams, fostering cultural safety, learning, and collaboration.
• Represent the branch confidently across government, with peak bodies and in inter‑jurisdictional forums.

Who are we looking for? 

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate the ability to:

• Shape strategic and systems thinking
  Analyse complex and emerging issues, diagnose adaptive and technical challenges, read system dynamics and power, and contribute to long‑term reform pathways aligned with Government priorities.
• Achieve results through reform stewardship
  Deliver high‑impact programs and policy outcomes while managing ambiguity, risk and competing demands; redesign systems and processes to enable sustained change rather than short‑term fixes.
• Cultivate productive, power‑aware relationships
  Engage respectfully and effectively with diverse stakeholders, building trusted partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, organisations and communities through shared decision‑making and accountability.
• Communicate with influence
  Prepare clear, persuasive and culturally appropriate advice; tailor messages to different audiences; and represent the branch with authority in sensitive and high‑profile contexts.
• Demonstrate integrated policy and program expertise
  Lead and integrate policy development and program delivery, grounded in cultural understanding, community knowledge and practical application.
• Apply strong governance and resource management
  Manage projects, finances, people and risks transparently and responsibly, while enabling flexibility where required to support reform outcomes.

Beyond technical capability, you will bring:

• Cultural humility and a commitment to continuous learning and self‑reflection.
• Institutional courage and sound judgement in complex, contested environments.
• Resilience and adaptability in the face of shifting priorities and political change.
• A commitment to fostering a culturally safe, inclusive and high‑performing workplace.
• A strong sense of accountability to both community partners and the public service.

• Meets the eligibility under the Affirmative Measure – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander provisions.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex policy and/or program work, including responsibility for delivery, reform or stewardship in a government, community‑controlled or comparable organisational context.
• Proven people leadership capability, including experience leading, mentoring and developing teams and managing performance in complex or changing environments.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and leaders, including engaging respectfully, building trust, and exercising sound judgement in complex or sensitive matters.

What else can we offer?

We are dedicated to fostering personal and professional development, empowering individuals to set goals, acquire new skills, and cultivate unique qualities that define who they are. We believe that this not only leads to a more fulfilling and happier life but also enhances the overall quality of our work. Some of the benefits we offer include:

• Access to our study Assistance Program that provides paid leave and financial support for you to undertake courses of study that contribute to the improvements of your professional skills and knowledge relevant to our work and broader Australian Public Service.
• Through our investment in learning and development opportunities, and a positive performance culture, we provide diverse career pathways for our people to enable their mobility and adapt in a rapidly changing world.
• Improve your leadership skills, through the department’s Professional Coaching Scheme and tailored leadership opportunities for staff members.
• Flexible working opportunities, including part time hours, home based work and job sharing.
• We offer generous leave entitlements of 20 days personal circumstances leave per year, with one month’s accrual of leave credited on commencement and 150 hours of paid annual leave (based on a full-time employee), plus a range of other miscellaneous leave options to support you.

Join our department and embark on a journey of growth, fulfillment, and well-being. Experience personal and professional development, prioritise your health, and be part of a vibrant and positive culture that empowers individuals and drives exceptional performance.

Eligibility requirements

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application. 
• Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline.  You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.  You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances.  More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
• Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
• This role is an affirmative measure to support employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. That means only people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander are eligible to apply. For more information please visit - Affirmative measure for recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians: A guide for applicants.
  
  Eligible persons are only persons:

1. 1. of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; and
   2. who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander; and
   3. who are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Confirmation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage will be required from candidates who are found suitable at the end of the process. Suitable candidates will be required to provide ‘confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Heritage’ by providing:

• A letter signed by the Chairperson of an incorporated Indigenous organisation confirming that the applicant is recognised as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, or
• confirmation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent document executed by an Indigenous organisation

Timeline and assessment

A selection panel will be established to assess your suitability against the advertised role.

If a merit pool is established it will be valid for 18 months from date it first appeared in the APS Gazette.