Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

OVERVIEW:

Gellung Warl - meaning 'tip of the spear' in Gunaikurnai language - is a First Peoples’ representative and deliberative body, underpinned by Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority.

Gellung Warl is established as a statutory corporation under the Treaty Act. It is made up of three arms that work together:

• the First Peoples' Assembly, the political decision-making arm
• Nginma Ngainga Wara, an independent government oversight and accountability arm and
• Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna, an independent mechanism for ongoing truth-telling.

Gellung Warl is guided by the Ngarrakeetoong Martongakeeyt (Community Vision) and is answerable to Community through the Larbargirrar Gnuurtak Tulkuuk (Community Governance and Answerability Framework), which sets out how Gellung Warl engages with and is answerable to First Peoples in Victoria.

Gellung Warl’s underlying purpose is to promote collective self-government, self-determination and empowerment of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, including by:

• by representing First Peoples in Victoria and exercising decision making powers in relation to First Peoples in Victoria
• representing First Peoples in Statewide Treaty negotiations with the State, including undertaking ongoing Statewide Treaty negotiations, and supporting Traditional Owner treatymaking
• providing for ongoing truth-telling and healing
• advising the Parliament and the State government in relation to matters that affect First Peoples and holding the State government to account in relation to its commitments to, and the impact of its actions on, First Peoples.

Walk with us and make history!

THE ROLE:

This is a 12-month parental leave backfill position.

The purpose of this role is to provide high-level strategic and operational support to the Co-Chairs to advance Gellung Warl’s organisational priorities, public leadership and Treaty outcomes. The role supports the effective performance of the Co-Chairs by preparing them for meetings, engagements, speeches and daily activities, coordinating stakeholder activity, and ensuring their office is well connected to operational teams across the organisation.

This role requires the ability to navigate a complex and politically sensitive environment, ensuring strategic advice, stakeholder engagement, briefing support and communications activity uphold Gellung Warl’s cultural authority, priorities and values while maintaining constructive relationships with colleagues, Traditional Owners, communities, stakeholders and relevant internal and external partners.

As part of the Office of the Co-Chairs, the Senior Advisor to Co-Chairs provides strategic and practical support across briefing preparation, speech writing, stakeholder liaison, logistics coordination, records management and reporting, working closely with the FPA Executive Director and relevant internal stakeholders to ensure Co-Chair activity is effective, coordinated and aligned with organisational priorities. The role helps ensure the Co-Chairs are well supported in representing Gellung Warl and advancing broader organisational and Treaty objectives.

KEY DUTIES:

• Provide strategic and operational support to the Co-Chairs.
• Collaborate closely with the Co-Chairs’ Executive Assistant, the FPA Executive Director and other operational areas to align and coordinate Co-Chair activity.
• Prepare briefs, speeches and draft correspondence.
• Coordinate events and manage the Co-Chairs’ stakeholder engagement and public speaking commitments, including after-hours and weekend events where required.
• Proactively coordinate logistics planning to ensure Co-Chair engagements and travel are managed as efficiently as possible, domestically and internationally.
• Provide real-time support and briefings before and during Assembly and stakeholder meetings.
• Cultivate and maintain key stakeholder relationships on behalf of the Co-Chairs.
• Assist in creating content for public-facing communications and support the Co-Chairs’ social media channels.
• Generate regular activity reports and track progress toward Co-Chair KPIs.
• Manage records within the Office of the Co-Chairs.
• Promote communication between different organisational areas and the Office of the Co-Chairs during periods of organisational growth and change.
• Support integration between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and parliamentary and policy work at the federal level.
• Effectively manage key relationships and projects on behalf of the Co-Chairs and identify and troubleshoot issues as necessary.
• Promote and support the achievement of Gellung Warl’s core values and contribute positively to its reputation through high-quality advisory and stakeholder support.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the role’s classification and purpose as directed.

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Skills, Competencies & Knowledge

• Ability to develop genuine, high-quality and lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve outcomes.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and the capacity to tailor communication styles to different preferences and audiences.
• Understanding of principles of self-determination and international human rights frameworks.
• Ability to step in to manage the role of Executive Assistant to the Co-Chairs when required, including during periods of leave or vacancy.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly, regionally, domestically and internationally as required.
• Advanced computer software skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Teams and Outlook.
• Demonstrated skill and capacity to work effectively and with integrity in the context of a Victorian First Peoples’ Representative Body.

Experience & Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience in policy, research, advocacy, writing and the provision of strategic advice.
• Strong experience working with Aboriginal communities in Victoria, including sound working knowledge of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, Traditional Owner groups, legislative and regulatory settings, Aboriginal histories and leaders, democratic processes, machinery of government and the Victorian Public Service.
• Successful experience multitasking and balancing competing priorities.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, in high-stress environments, and produce fit-for-purpose documents within tight timeframes.
• Experience supporting senior elected representatives, executives or high-profile stakeholder offices is highly desirable.
• Experience preparing speeches, briefs, correspondence and engagement materials for senior leaders is highly desirable.
• Postgraduate qualification in law, history, social policy, legal policy, public policy or a related field is desirable, but not essential.
• As part of our commitment to child safety and in line with the Working with Children Act 2005 (Vic), all roles within Gellung Warl require a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Current full Victorian Driver Licence.

SALARY & TERM

• 12-month parental leave backfill
• Salary from $136,631 per annum (full-time equivalent) plus superannuation, based on experience and expertise.

Location

This role extends its reach across the Melbourne region with some regional travel as required.

next steps

To submit your application, please click 'Apply Now' by the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Note that interviews may commence prior to application close dates as suitable applications come through so job may be filled before close date.

A position description is attached.