Head of Community Development in Alice Springs, Northern Territory at Childrens Ground

About Children's Ground

Children’s Ground is a First Nations organisation. The Children’s Ground Approach is designed and delivered through the leadership of First Nations people. We are committed to systems change to ensure dignity, justice and equity for all children and families. Our work focuses on national reform as well as evidencing a new way of working.

The Children’s Ground Approach is a whole of community, whole of life approach. We privilege First Nations knowledge systems and practice. Over the course of a generation, led by local expertise, we create and deliver an integrated system that is centred on learning, development and wellbeing that responds to the child and their family through the key transition points from pre-birth to young adulthood.

Our approach recognises the cultural, social, and economic strength of our communities. We build on this over a generation to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren that gives them freedom, opportunity and rights to their culture and identity.

Children’s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, with support provided by a Melbourne-based Shared Services team.

About you

The role demands someone with relevant qualifications and past experience in a senior community development capacity. Prior experience working in First Nations community development is essential as is the ability to work will all members of a community. You will need to have demonstrated project planning experience and skills in leading, mentoring and supervising a small team of community development staff. A current drivers license is mandatory.

About the role

Children’s Ground has significantly expanded its Community Development and Wellbeing (CDW) platform over the past 18 months. This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team and work in partnership with the Ingkerrekele arntarnte-areme (Central Australian regional governance group).

The role plays a critical part in advancing our commitment to place-based program delivery and strengthening local community ownership, governance, planning, and program delivery. A strong emphasis will be placed on engagement, empowerment, and the development of leadership capability through building governance capacity.

This position supports innovative, integrated approaches to community development and requires a strategic mindset aligned with the organisation’s vision, objectives, and goals. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to effectively lead programs, manage staff, and oversee community planning and a range of reporting requirements.

Central to this role is a commitment and capacity to working in alignment with First Nations led community priorities and aspirations.

In addition to providing leadership across the team, this position will also take responsibility for coordinating community development activities in one designated community.

Key Responsibilities

Community Development platform leadership

• Under direction and with support from Deputy Regional Director, and the Ingkerrekele arntarnte-areme (CA Regional Governance Group), implement an innovate, dynamic, high quality community development platform for Central Australia
• Oversee the development, delivery, monitoring and review of community plans, that set the vision, goals and priorities for the community
• Identify community development projects that require additional funding and work with the Deputy Regional Director and the Partnerships and Investment team to write grant proposals to secure financial support
• Provide updates on grants and community development activities to leadership, the community and funding bodies
• Contribute to the development and achievement of the CG and CG Central Australia strategy, objectives and goals
• Build and protect the cultural, ethical, and corporate social responsibility of Children's Ground

Community Engagement and Collaboration and respect for cultural knowledge and life

• ·Ensure First Nations leaders are key strategic advisors in all aspects of the CDW platform.
• Meet regularly with First Nations people and Elders to discuss community goals which inform the team’s direction and responsibilities, encouraging and supporting all First Nations families, valuing their ideas, strategies and aspirations.
• Support community events, workshops, meetings, stakeholder visits and cultural celebrations to promote community pride and engagement.
• Support the community development leads and CD coordinators to work with everyone in community to discuss local aspirations, ensuring that our operations actively promote local cultural knowledge, safety and practice.
• Work alongside the men’s team to assist with the development of a strategic approach to their work, including assisting with overall operational requirements, contributing to both regional and place-based community governance, and supporting language and culture preservation and family wellbeing initiatives.
• Encourage and empower community members to capture their ideas and aspirations and take a lead role in development projects and initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, housing, education, employment programs, and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Staff management and support

• Develop the CDW workforce and ensure all CDW staff have access to regular supervision, mentoring, ongoing learning and skill development opportunities in project management, leadership and environmental stewardship.
• Manage human resource matters as they arise with the support of the People and Culture team.

Governance and leadership

• Strengthen and maintain local community based governance processes, ensuring the CDW team supports at least three governance meetings each quarter in each community. These may be held during the day, at family nights or on camps as directed by community.
• Facilitate methods that promote good communication and interaction between the Ingkerrekele arntarnte-areme, local community governance groups and community members.
• Facilitate and support the development, delivery, and review of community plans, meeting reporting requirements in line with the CG philosophy and in collaboration with local community leadership and the broader community, ensuring community voice is strong.
• Foster leadership development within community members and provide vital communication where relevant between community members, government agencies, non-profits, and other organisations.
• Track the progress and impact of community programs, providing recommendations for improvements.

Integrated delivery

• Support the delivery of the CG integrated service platform, through working closely with the Heads of Learning, Health, Research and the Coordinator of Resource and Economic development to strengthen program delivery.
• Strengthen relationships with families to support engagement with CG activities and ensure multiple communication methods are used to keep community members informed.
• Support the planning and delivery of 2 family camps annually in each location, to promote cultural learning, community connection, and engagement.
• Utilise existing activities such as Early Years Learning on Country sessions and Family Nights as a platform for meaningful community discussions and the development of broader initiatives.

Relationships and stakeholder management

• Develop collaborative relationships with service partners, participating in local Service Delivery Forums, to promote service collaboration and integration.
• Liaise with a wide range of organisations and businesses who have a shared interest in following the leadership of community members and the goals of individual community plans.
• Maintain joint working relationships across Children’s Ground operations.
• Represent Children’s Ground in key meetings as requested.

Operational systems and standards

• Ensure all programs are delivered with quality and integrity
• Develop community led, governance standards and practice
• Ensure Policies and Procedures are in place, reviewed, implemented and updated as needed
• Ensure program data is entered accurately and in a timely way in the Family Information System.
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, laws and standards
• Ensure risk management policies and systems are up to date
• Operate within the requirements of Children’s Ground philosophies, policies and procedures as well as regulatory requirements.

We invite you to walk with us on this unique journey…

Benefits include an attractive remuneration package including excellent tax benefits six weeks leave (4 weeks annual leave + bonus leave).

If this sounds like the role for you please apply by including your resume and a cover letter. Applications will remain open until the position has been filled.

In line with our workforce development strategy, Children's Ground strongly encourages and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants to apply.