Community Development Coordinator - First Nations Identified positions

Children's Ground; City of Darwin; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

An Aboriginal community-focused organization is seeking a Community Development Coordinator to empower Aboriginal communities in the Top End. The role requires strong relationship-building skills, project management experience, and a commitment to cultural responsiveness. You will facilitate community-led initiatives and support self-determination processes while working closely with community leaders. This is a full-time position requiring flexibility for evening and weekend work.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in community development in First Nations contexts.
• Strong project management skills including planning and monitoring.
• Proven ability to build respectful relationships with Aboriginal communities.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with local leaders to strengthen governance structures.
• Support community-led planning processes driven by cultural voices.
• Facilitate community events and initiatives for cultural heritage.

Skills

Community development

Cultural humility

Relationship-building

Project management

Capacity building

Communication

Education

Relevant qualifications in community development or social sciences

Job description

Community Development Coordinator - First Nations Identified positions

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. In the Top End of the NT, we work in the communities of Minmarama/Kulaluk, Knuckey’s Lagoon, 15 Mile and Marlkawo.

About you

You’re passionate about community development and thrive in cross-cultural environments and are committed to walking alongside First Nations communities. You bring strong relationship-building skills, cultural humility, and a deep belief in community-led change. Your experience in remote or regional settings equips you to work collaboratively, respectfully, and with purpose.

About the role

The Community Development Coordinators work closely with a community lead—an individual deeply embedded in and knowledgeable about their community. Together, they drive self-determination, empowering the community to lead its own development and governance. This role embodies Children’s Ground’s commitment to culturally responsive, place-based solutions that foster community ownership, decision-making, and long-term wellbeing.

This is a full-time position (38 hours per week) and will be based in Top End communities. At times, hours of work may extend into the evening and/or across weekends and applicants should be flexible in their ability to work outside of normal office hours when required.

Key Responsibilities

1. Empowering Community Governance & Planning

• Collaborate with local community leads to strengthen governance structures that promote self-determination and community ownership.
• Facilitate community-led planning processes that are driven by the voices and aspirations of children, families, and community members, ensuring that decisions reflect cultural, social, and economic priorities.
• Support communities to define their own goals, pathways, and measures of success, centring First Nations knowledge and leadership in every aspect of the work.

2. Facilitating Collective Impact & Community-Led Change

• Foster collaboration between community members and a broad network of stakeholders (e.g., schools, local organisations, and government agencies) to amplify community-led initiatives.
• Support the design and implementation of place-based solutions that respond to the local context and enhance community wellbeing and economic opportunity.
• Coordinate community events and initiatives that celebrate cultural heritage, strengthen social cohesion, and promote collective action for change.

3. Cultural Leadership & Self-Determination

• Work in partnership with community leaders to embed First Nations knowledge systems and practices within all programs and activities.
• Champion local governance structures, supporting communities in driving their own solutions and outcomes.
• Advocate for community control and leadership in decision-making processes at every level, ensuring the community’s voice is at the forefront of Children’s Ground’s work.

4. Supporting Local Resource Development & Sustainability

• Assist communities in identifying and accessing the resources necessary to achieve their goals, with a focus on building local capacity and self-sufficiency.
• Promote sustainable resource management by aligning community priorities with available funding and partnerships, while ensuring accountability to the community.
• Ensure the effective use of resources through transparent planning, budgeting, and reporting processes that are accountable to the community and stakeholders.

5. Community Capacity Building & Mentorship

• Support the development of leadership and capacity within the community, particularly for young people and emerging leaders, to ensure the long-term sustainability of governance and planning structures.
• Facilitate opportunities for local employment, training, and skill development, ensuring that community members are central to program delivery and decision-making.
• Work alongside Children's Ground teams to ensure that all staff are responsive to community priorities and that programs reflect community aspirations and needs.

6. Monitoring, Evaluation & Accountability

• Work collaboratively with community members and Children’s Ground evaluation team to develop culturally relevant monitoring and evaluation processes that reflect the goals set by the community.
• Provide regular feedback to community governance bodies, ensuring that all data and reporting processes are transparent and accessible.
• Uphold accountability to the community by ensuring that all projects, initiatives, and resource allocations align with the principles of self-determination and community leadership.

7. Reporting

• Maintain accurate and up to date records.
• Complete biannual Community Plan reporting and quarterly internal reporting for Children’s Ground.

8. Operational systems and standards, in collaboration with leadership

• Ensure all programs are delivered with quality and integrity
• Uphold corporate governance standards and practice
• Ensure Policies and Procedures are in place, reviewed, implemented and feedback provided as needed
• Ensure compliance with relevant regulations, laws and standards
• Ensure risk management assessments are in line with policies and procedures
• Operate within the requirements of Children’s Ground philosophies, policies and procedures as well as regulatory requirements.

9. Contribute to Children’s Ground

• Be a positive, innovative and active member of Children’s Ground and participate and support broader activities of the Top End office.
• Contribute to strategic planning, organisational development, management work plans & policy.
• Support a strong, connected, respectful and supportive organisation.
• Participate in professional development programs offered by Children’s Ground.
• Undertake other tasks as requested to support the delivery of Children’s Ground.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Demonstrated experience in community development with a strong understanding of participatory and strengths-based approaches in First Nations contexts.

2. Proven ability to build respectful relationships with Aboriginal communities, leaders, and stakeholders, ensuring cultural safety and responsiveness.

3. Strong project management skills , including planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting on community-led initiatives.

4. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences and facilitate community meetings and workshops.

5. Experience in capacity building and mentoring , particularly in supporting local Aboriginal staff and community members.

6. Knowledge of social, cultural, and economic issues affecting Aboriginal communities in the Top End region.

7. Ability to work independently and collaboratively in remote and cross-cultural environments, often with limited resources.

9. First Aid Certificate, Anaphylaxis and Asthma Management training (or willingness to obtain)

10. National police check clearance (or willing to obtain) and Working with Children Check (NT Ochre card).

1. Relevant qualifications or equivalent experience in community development, social sciences, or a related field.

2. Experience working in a start-up environment with implementation of processes and systems from scratch.