Community Relations Officer (Identified)

University of Sydney; Australia; On-site; AUD 97,000 - 118,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous cultural leave

Flexible working

YURA Network access

First Nations staff network

Job summary

The University of Sydney is seeking an Indigenous Community Relations Officer (Identified) to join a NHMRC-funded cardiovascular health initiative. This full-time, 14-month role will build strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, health services and partner organisations across states.

You will coordinate community engagement activities, support project planning and reporting, and help translate research outcomes into tangible community benefits.

Qualifications

• Identity as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Ability to coordinate projects and manage competing priorities.
• Strong relationship-building with diverse internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Independent and collaborative work style.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, health services and partner organisations.
• Coordinate community engagement activities, meetings, workshops and events.
• Provide project coordination and operational support for planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities.
• Coordinate project documentation, records, resources and reporting requirements.
• Monitor project milestones, deliverables and timelines, identifying and escalating risks where appropriate.
• Support project financial administration, including budget monitoring and expenditure tracking.
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate communication, collaboration and shared decision-making.
• Support the dissemination and translation of research findings into outcomes that are meaningful and beneficial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Uphold and promote culturally safe and ethical engagement practices across all project activities.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the classification level.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Organisational skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Full-time, 14-month fixed term opportunity Join an Aboriginal-led National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded initiative focused on improving cardiovascular health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples HEO Level 6 Base Salary starting from $107,312 + 17% superannuation Opportunity

The University of Sydney is seeking an enthusiastic and community-focused Indigenous Community Relations Officer (Identified) to join an Aboriginal-led National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) funded initiative focused on improving cardiovascular health and wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This position will play a key role in building and maintaining strong relationships between the project team, Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander communities, health services and partner organisations. The role may require interstate travel to support meaningful community engagement and strengthen partnerships across states and territories. Working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders, you will help ensure community voices, priorities and cultural perspectives are embedded throughout all stages of the project. The successful candidate will support culturally safe community engagement activities, facilitate meaningful partnerships, coordinate project activities and contribute to the translation of research outcomes into tangible benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to a project dedicated to addressing cardiovascular health inequities through community-led collaboration and research.

This position has been designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only under the provisions of section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Should your application be progressed, you will be required to provide your confirmation of identity documents. Your recruiter will be in touch to advise you on how to confirm Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander status.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and maintain respectful and productive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, health services and partner organisations
• coordinate and facilitate community engagement activities, meetings, workshops and events
• provide project coordination and operational support to assist with the planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities
• coordinate project documentation, records, resources and reporting requirements
• monitor project milestones, deliverables and timelines, identifying and escalating risks where appropriate
• support project financial administration, including budget monitoring and expenditure tracking
• liaise with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate communication, collaboration and shared decision-making
• support the dissemination and translation of research findings into outcomes that are meaningful and beneficial for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• uphold and promote culturally safe and ethical engagement practices across all project activities
• undertake other duties appropriate to the classification level

About you

The University values courage and creativity; openness and engagement; inclusion and diversity; and respect and integrity. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talent aligned to these values and are looking for an Indigenous Community Relations Officer who has:

• Identification as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person
• demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders
• experience supporting projects, programs or community-based initiatives and coordinating competing priorities
• demonstrated ability to build and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external stakeholders
• highly developed organisational, communication and interpersonal skills
• demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft office or equivalent office/productivity suite software and general computer literacy
• strong attention to detail and ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• an equivalent combination of relevant training, education and experience

We are committed to creating a culturally safe, supportive and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

Key benefits

• Generous cultural leave and flexible working arrangements
• access to the YURA Network and FMH First Nations Staff Network, offering cultural connection, mentoring, peer support, networking, experience sharing, and professional development opportunities for First Nations staff tax-efficient salary packaging options for cars, laptops, and additional contributions to your superannuation fund.

Sponsorship / Work Rights for Australia

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Work Rights

You must have unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this employment to apply.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this appointment.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in role satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

Applications Close Monday 30 November 2026 11:59 PM

Our team is expanding, and we want to hire the most talented people we can. Continued success depends on it! So once you've had a chance to explore our current open positions, apply to the ones you feel suit you best and keep track of both your progress in the selection process, and new postings that might interest you! The University values are excellence, trust and accountability. The University of Sydney is committed to diversity and social inclusion. Applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; equity target groups including women, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTIQ; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment. The University of Sydney may conduct routine pre-employment checks before an appointment is made. Want to know more about working at the University of Sydney? https://www.sydney.edu.au/about-us.html