Senior Manager, Indigenous Engagement

• Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI)

• Full-time (100%), fixed-term position for up to 3 years

• Position open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates only

• Base salary will be in the range $130,046.60 - $137,525.81+ 17% Superannuation (HEW Level 9)

• Based at our St Lucia Campus

About This Opportunity 

In collaboration with QAAFI’s Institute Director and Executive management team, you will play a key role in facilitating and supporting the development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement strategies, recruitment and action plans across the QAAFI Institute.

Your role will involve building employment opportunities, capabilities and leadership qualities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait research staff and students both within the University and across communities contributing to the development of Indigenous research methodologies and knowledge pertaining to QAAFI research activities.

You will have a strong focus on ensuring that non-Indigenous QAAFI staff develop the necessary cultural competence to engage effectively in service of genuine and mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous Communities, and indeed, Indigenous staff and students.

You will work in partnership with senior staff within the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries (DAF) to identify collaborative opportunities between QAAFI and DAF in areas such as advancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation rates, research activities, community engagement and HDR internships.

You will report to the QAAFI Director Institute Operations and will be part of the QAAFI Executive Team.  You will be expected to develop, grow and nurture a high quality collaborative working partnership with the Deputy-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and appropriate senior DAF staff.

Key responsibilities will include: 

• Continue to develop and implement broadly across QAAFI a Cultural Competency Framework with the aim to build capability, raise awareness and generate effective engagement and collaboration across QAAFI.

• Lead the implementation of the UQ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) within QAAFI and also develop an aligned QAAFI RAP.

• Work in collaboration with the relevant senior managers within QAAFI and DAF to leverage productive linkages with relevant internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities for QAAFI and DAF to conduct and/or support research projects and activities in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

• Work actively to build relationships and Indigenous numbers across QAAFI (academics, professional staff and HDR students) by utilising multiple avenues and networks.

• In consultation with relevant stakeholders including UQ’s Senior Manager, Indigenous Employment and UQ’s Human Resources team, support the delivery of an Indigenous Career Pathways and Advancement Strategy across QAAFI.

• Assist in the recruitment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff with the aim of achieving a minimum of parity on a proportional population basis.

• For QAAFI Indigenous HDR students, provide mentorship, guidance, pastoral and cultural care to ensure their retention within QAAFI and where required, for their engagement with DAF.

• Provide advice and support to QAAFI and DAF communications teams and researchers on appropriate language, content and representation of Indigenous stakeholders and related research in media and communication materials.

• Explore collaborative internship and commercial opportunities with Indigenous communities and enterprises.

• Identify, communicate and contribute to the mitigation of risks that could impact on the effectiveness of QAAFI’s and where appropriate, DAF’s impact and collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders.

• Promote and contribute to a collaborative partnership between the Deputy-Vice Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) and other University-wide offices currently engaging with driving the UQ Indigenous research strategy and ensure that QAAFI’s Indigenous and research strategies are aligned.

• Hold a key management position within QAAFI and will be a part of the QAAFI Executive Leadership group, and be expected to be an active member of the QAAFI Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

• Identifying potential opportunities to work across other areas of UQ which intersect with QAAFI’s research activities, particularly within the Faculty of Science and the Schools of Agriculture and Food Sustainability, and Environment.

• Examine QAAFI worksites and ensure the identification and provision of defined culturally safe spaces to support staff wellness and connection.

For further information, please click here to view the information booklet.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will have the opportunity to work alongside the brightest minds, who have joined us from all over the world.

Everyone here has a role to play. As a member of our professional staff cohort, you will be actively involved in working towards our vision of a better world. By supporting the academic endeavour across teaching, research, and the student life, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities that have a lasting impact on our community.

Join a community where excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued and a range of benefits and rewards are available, such as:

• 26 weeks paid parental leave or 14 weeks paid primary caregiver leave

• 17% superannuation contributions

• 17.5% annual leave loading

• Access to flexible working arrangements including hybrid working options, flexible start/finish times, purchased leave, and a condensed fortnight

• Health and wellness discounts – fitness passport access, free yearly flu vaccinations, discounted health insurance, and access to our Employee Assistance Program for staff and their immediate family

• UQ Study for Staff

• On campus childcare options

• Cheap parking (from just $5.75 a day)

• Salary packaging options

At UQ, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are supported to fill their cultural responsibilities, with access to 8 additional days (pro-rata) of paid Cultural Leave annually. Indigenous employees are encouraged to access the UQ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network with a variety of significant events held throughout the year.

About You  

The University of Queensland considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under s25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991(Qld) and the filling of this position constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth).

The position is therefore only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

Successful candidates are required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

• Qualifications and training equivalent of a postgraduate degree, or an equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training.

• Excellent interpersonal skills appropriate for interacting with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous stakeholders including possessing the requisite initiative, drive, and flexibility to achieve results.

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous , cultural heritage, economic development issues and the ability to correctly identify Traditional Owner Groups and engage effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

• Highly effective communication skills, including facilitation, the ability to prepare comprehensive reports and make recommendations, conflict management, complaints resolution, presentation skills, strategic relationship management and a proven track record of influencing others to achieve co-operation at senior levels with internal, external stakeholders and the community.

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and implement strategic plans and programs and to affect high level stakeholder and organisational buy-in with proven ability to manage effectively through ambiguity to achieve strategic outcomes.

• Exceptional organisational skills with the demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, a commitment to achieving quality outcomes, the ability to work under pressure and establish priorities regarding workload and to work both independently and as part of a team.

• Experience in liaising and collaborating with external agencies to develop research initiatives.

• Experience within, or an understanding of, the agriculture and/or food sectors.

Additional Criteria

The successful candidate may be required to complete a number of pre-employment checks, including: right to work in Australia, criminal check, background check, education check etc. 

Questions? 

For more information about this opportunity, please contact Dr Michael O’Shea - [email protected]

For application queries, please contact [email protected] stating the job reference number (below) in the subject line. 
 

Want to Apply? 

All applicants must upload the following documents in order for your application to be considered:

• Cover letter summarising how your background aligns to the ‘About You’ section  

• Resume 

Other Information 

UQ is committed to a fair, equitable and inclusive selection process, which recognises that some applicants may face additional barriers and challenges which have impacted and/or continue to impact their career trajectory. Candidates who don’t meet all criteria are encouraged to apply and demonstrate their potential. The selection panel considers both potential and performance relative to opportunities when assessing suitability for the role.

We know one of our strengths as an institution lies in our diverse colleagues. We're dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion, fostering an environment that mirrors our wider community. We're committed to attracting, retaining, and promoting diverse talent. Reach out to [email protected] for accessibility support or adjustments.

Applications close 10 October at 11.00pm AEST (R-42304). Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for late October.