Job Description
Full job description
Ongoing & Non-ongoing for an initial period of up to 12 months, Flexible working arrangements will be considered
Cairns, Qld; Mount Isa, QLD or Townsville, QLD
Location: Cairns, Qld; Mount Isa, QLD or Townsville, QLD
Application Closing Date: 04-Sep-2026
Classification
APS Level 6 ($+4,715 - $106,438)
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for an initial period of up to 12 months)
This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the NIAA delegate.
Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for an initial period of up to 12 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.
A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.
Flexible Work
Flexible working arrangements will be considered
The Opportunity
The NIAA’s vision is to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, recognised and empowered. The NIAA operates in a complex, dynamic environment and is committed to implementing the Government’s policies and programs to provide the greatest benefit to all First Nations peoples. To support the Australian Government the NIAA regional presence is focused on place-based practice and working in partnership to develop and implement tailored local solutions.
The Engagement Senior Officer works across the North Queensland Region which encompasses spectacular landscape, beautiful scenery and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The position represents the Agency to engage with community stakeholders, partners and government agencies focused on the advancement of Indigenous Australians. The Engagement Senior Officer works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop policy and program responses that address local needs and priorities.
The role requires cultural and technical skills to be effective in community engagement in a way that ensures the community voice is accurately heard. The key responsibilities for the role of the Engagement Senior Officer will include:
develop and maintain complex internal and external relationships with key NIAA stakeholders including community engagement
undertake complex procedural, administrative and service-related tasks that support NIAA business activities or management of a project
conduct research and analysis on complex matters
make decisions using good judgement, expertise and knowledge
create a culturally safe workplace by fostering an environment where the concept of culture and how it influences the workplace and interactions, is understood
communicate tailored information and messages confidently, with demonstrated cultural competence
identify relevant stakeholders and anticipate expectations and concerns
approach difficult negotiations with a clear understanding of key issues and desired outcomes.
In addition, some regional and remote based positions may be eligible for:
reasonable relocation support which can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
remote locality allowance.
The current vacancy is located in Townsville, QLD and an order of merit may be established to fill positions in Cairns, QLD and Mount Isa, QLD.
Our Ideal Candidate
The North Queensland Region is seeking results-oriented individuals who possess strong engagement and communication skills with project management experience. Our ideal candidates will know how to build on collaboration opportunities and champion a more integrated approach to service delivery within a local region.
We are looking for our next subject matter experts with a strategic focus to support an inclusive, supportive, high-performing team culture. The candidates will be self-starters and consistently relied upon by supervisors, including the Regional Manager, and will need to be confident to take charge of issues and deliver high-quality outputs.
The ideal candidates will have a safety-first approach when travelling and working in remote and or isolated settings. To fill the roles, we are looking for employees who can demonstrate the following competencies:
high level of cultural acumen and understanding of issues affecting Indigenous peoples
strong stakeholder engagement skills and a demonstrated ability to develop positive and productive relationships across NIAA as well as with external stakeholders
ability to analyse and respond to high level technical enquiries and draft high quality and concise advice briefs with some complexity
high level of written and verbal communication skills including the ability to tailor communication to different and diverse audiences
maintain a firm understanding of local community needs and the services being provided within the community by government and non-government organisations
well-developed organisational skills, including adapting to change, working with limited direction and managing competing priorities.
Overnight stays and remote travel will be required including via vehicle, boat (ferry) and small planes.
Identified Position
This position is Identified which signifies that the role has strong involvement in matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This position has direct engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, or is involved in the development of programmes and policy. You will require a high level of cultural competency, including:
demonstrated understanding of the matters impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
demonstrated high level capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check.
Security Clearance Required
Baseline Vetting (Protected)
Contact Officer
Dale Getz on 0412XXXXXX or dale.gertz@official.niaa.gov.au
Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.
Ongoing & Non-ongoing for an initial period of up to 12 months, Flexible working arrangements will be considered
Cairns, Qld; Mount Isa, QLD or Townsville, QLD
Location: Cairns, Qld; Mount Isa, QLD or Townsville, QLD
Application Closing Date: 04-Sep-2026
Classification
APS Level 6 ($+4,715 - $106,438)
Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for an initial period of up to 12 months)
This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the NIAA delegate.
Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for an initial period of up to 12 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years.
A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.
Flexible Work
Flexible working arrangements will be considered
The Opportunity
The NIAA’s vision is to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are heard, recognised and empowered. The NIAA operates in a complex, dynamic environment and is committed to implementing the Government’s policies and programs to provide the greatest benefit to all First Nations peoples. To support the Australian Government the NIAA regional presence is focused on place-based practice and working in partnership to develop and implement tailored local solutions.
The Engagement Senior Officer works across the North Queensland Region which encompasses spectacular landscape, beautiful scenery and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The position represents the Agency to engage with community stakeholders, partners and government agencies focused on the advancement of Indigenous Australians. The Engagement Senior Officer works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to develop policy and program responses that address local needs and priorities.
The role requires cultural and technical skills to be effective in community engagement in a way that ensures the community voice is accurately heard. The key responsibilities for the role of the Engagement Senior Officer will include:
develop and maintain complex internal and external relationships with key NIAA stakeholders including community engagement
undertake complex procedural, administrative and service-related tasks that support NIAA business activities or management of a project
conduct research and analysis on complex matters
make decisions using good judgement, expertise and knowledge
create a culturally safe workplace by fostering an environment where the concept of culture and how it influences the workplace and interactions, is understood
communicate tailored information and messages confidently, with demonstrated cultural competence
identify relevant stakeholders and anticipate expectations and concerns
approach difficult negotiations with a clear understanding of key issues and desired outcomes.
In addition, some regional and remote based positions may be eligible for:
reasonable relocation support which can be negotiated on a case-by-case basis
remote locality allowance.
The current vacancy is located in Townsville, QLD and an order of merit may be established to fill positions in Cairns, QLD and Mount Isa, QLD.
Our Ideal Candidate
The North Queensland Region is seeking results-oriented individuals who possess strong engagement and communication skills with project management experience. Our ideal candidates will know how to build on collaboration opportunities and champion a more integrated approach to service delivery within a local region.
We are looking for our next subject matter experts with a strategic focus to support an inclusive, supportive, high-performing team culture. The candidates will be self-starters and consistently relied upon by supervisors, including the Regional Manager, and will need to be confident to take charge of issues and deliver high-quality outputs.
The ideal candidates will have a safety-first approach when travelling and working in remote and or isolated settings. To fill the roles, we are looking for employees who can demonstrate the following competencies:
high level of cultural acumen and understanding of issues affecting Indigenous peoples
strong stakeholder engagement skills and a demonstrated ability to develop positive and productive relationships across NIAA as well as with external stakeholders
ability to analyse and respond to high level technical enquiries and draft high quality and concise advice briefs with some complexity
high level of written and verbal communication skills including the ability to tailor communication to different and diverse audiences
maintain a firm understanding of local community needs and the services being provided within the community by government and non-government organisations
well-developed organisational skills, including adapting to change, working with limited direction and managing competing priorities.
Overnight stays and remote travel will be required including via vehicle, boat (ferry) and small planes.
Identified Position
This position is Identified which signifies that the role has strong involvement in matters relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This position has direct engagement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers, or is involved in the development of programmes and policy. You will require a high level of cultural competency, including:
demonstrated understanding of the matters impacting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
demonstrated high level ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
demonstrated high level capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.
Eligibility
To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check.
Security Clearance Required
Baseline Vetting (Protected)
Contact Officer
Dale Getz on 0412XXXXXX or dale.gertz@official.niaa.gov.au
Please Note – This is an unclassified web based recruitment system so your application must not contain any classified or sensitive information. This includes in your one page pitch and resume.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Engagement Senior Officer| North Queensland Region position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Cairns offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.
