JOB TITLE: PRINCIPAL CULTURAL ADVISOR
CLASS: AS08
POSITION NUMBER: PC1197 / AGENCY: Department of the Premier and Cabinet
DIVISION: ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND RECONCILIATION DIVISION

REPORTS TO

Executive Director /

POSITIONS REPORTING TO THIS POSITION

Nil

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Principal Aboriginal Advisor position has a strategic leadership role within AARD and is accountable for:
·  Providing cultural advice on policy, program development and service delivery coordination to the leadership team.
·  Facilitating the pathway for community engagement through advice and facilitation of appropriate cultural protocols.
·  Providing advice to the leadership team on critical issues relating to Aboriginal people.
·  Challenging dominant culture thinking with a view to continuously improving the work of AARD.
·  Contributing to AARD’s purpose of working in, with and across government to improve government policy for Aboriginal people.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.  Provide consultancy and advice on Aboriginal community engagement to AARD.
2.  Provide advice to the AARD Executive on the management of critical and sensitive Aboriginal issues.
3.  Provide Aboriginal cultural information and specialist expertise in policy, strategic projects and service coordination.
4.  Contribute advice and information for the development of Aboriginal culturally appropriate processes and systems in all spheres of AARD’s responsibility.
5.  Facilitate the development of strategies to address identified issues that impact on Aboriginal people and their communities.
6.  Develop effective relationships with key stakeholders, such as the Ministers Office, Office of the Deputy Chief Executive, Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement, South Australian Aboriginal Advisory Council, South Australian Aboriginal Heritage Committee, Aboriginal Lands Trust and other government agencies. / 7.  Contribute to relevant steering groups and committees.
8.  Contribute to strategic leadership and business planning across AARD.
9.  Contribute to the planning and monitoring of the performance of AARD’s cultural inclusivity.
10.  Contribute to a work environment where staff are challenged and stretched to develop their competence, and encouraged and provided with opportunities for professional development.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS / INTERACTIONS

·  Aboriginal communities, organisations and individuals.
·  Liaises within the Division and with senior staff in relevant State, Commonwealth, local government agencies, and with non-government organisations.
·  Liaises and works extensively with a range of external stakeholders including, business/industry representatives, research & education institutions, and community groups.

KEY CHALLENGES

·  Representing, with integrity, the spectrum of community issues.
·  Prioritising the many complex and competing needs of remote, regional and urban Aboriginal communities within the constraints of available resources and limited funding.
·  Within the bounds of the work of AARD, negotiating and leveraging changes in public sector policy and service delivery practices in order to achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal people in remote communities.
·  Keeping abreast of local issues and facilitating the necessary support to enable effective delivery of programs and services to Aboriginal South Australians.
·  Work in a complex, multi-faceted environment with tight timeframes under a matrix model.
POSITION DIMENSIONS
Staff: Nil
Budget: Nil

QUALIFICATIONS

(DESIRABLE)
CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsible for:
·  Keeping accurate and complete records of business activities in accordance with the State Records Act 1997.
·  Maintaining a commitment to the Public Sector Act 2009, EEO, Diversity, Code of Ethics for Public Sector Employees and the legislative requirements of the OHS&W Act 1986.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

·  Travel in regional and remote South Australia may be required.
·  Some out of hours work and interstate travel may be required.
·  Current drivers licence required and willingness to drive.
·  The appointee may be subject to a Criminal History Check prior to confirmation of appointment.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / EXPERIENCE

1.  Demonstrated ability to integrate Aboriginal cultural experiences, philosophy and practice.
2.  Demonstrated ability to provide a cultural lens on the development of policy, projects and/or service delivery.
3.  Highly developed skills in identifying trends and critical issues for Aboriginal people.
4.  Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and maintain a high degree of Aboriginal cultural and professional credibility.
5.  Experience in dealing with complex and diverse issues for Aboriginal communities and methods of providing culturally appropriate solutions, particularly in the local South Australian context.
6.  Experience working in a government context.
7.  Proven experience in successfully collaborating across agencies and key stakeholders.
8.  Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of relevant legislation and policies impacting on the agency.
9.  Extensive knowledge and understanding of the kinship systems, and the role and impact of the extended family in Aboriginal society.
10.  Demonstrated, comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the political, historical and socio-economic circumstances that have affected Aboriginal people, their culture and communities, as well as current trends and critical and emerging issues.
11.  Extensive understanding of the complexity and diversity of issues for Aboriginal communities and methods of providing culturally appropriate solutions particularly in the local South Australian context.
DESIRABLE
1.  Experience in working in a government or similar context