Cultural Engagement Advisor

Ruah Community Services; Perth; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary aligned with SCHADS Level 5

5 weeks annual leave + 17.5% loading

16 weeks parental leave with 32 weeks'

EAP for you and family

Journey Cover travel insurance

Salary packaging benefits

Diversity & inclusion programs

Job summary

Ruah Community Services is seeking a Cultural Engagement Advisor to strengthen culturally safe practice across our organisation and support Aboriginal communities in Western Australia. The role sits within the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team and focuses on Aboriginal engagement, cultural safety advice and workforce capability development.

You will shape service delivery, collaborate with staff, and contribute to organisational decision-making to improve outcomes for Aboriginal clients and

Qualifications

• Experience working with Aboriginal clients, families and communities.
• Ability to provide cultural advice and guidance to support culturally safe practice.
• Experience supporting cultural planning and culturally appropriate service delivery.
• Strong communication, engagement and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with diverse teams.
• Experience delivering cultural training or workforce capability initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Provide cultural guidance, mentoring and advice to staff.
• Model culturally safe, respectful and strengths-based practice.
• Support development and implementation of cultural plans.
• Embed Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing into service delivery.
• Act as a trusted cultural advisor on complex or sensitive matters.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with Aboriginal people, families, Elders and communities.
• Support community-led and culturally informed engagement approaches.
• Deliver cultural training, onboarding and workforce learning activities.
• Provide mentoring and informal learning opportunities to strengthen workforce capability.
• Contribute Aboriginal perspectives to organisational projects and programs.

Skills

Cultural engagement

Communication

Relationship building

Independent work

Team collaboration

Job description

We warmly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for this identified position. Your cultural knowledge, lived experience and community connections will help strengthen culturally safe services and positive outcomes for Aboriginal people, families and communities.

Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational requirement of this role under Section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984.

About Ruah

Ruah is a leading values-driven employer in Western Australia’s community services sector. Our staff go boldly, not just supporting people in need, but working to end homelessness, end domestic violence and create opportunities for people struggling with poverty and mental health challenges.

Our professional team of operational and corporate services staff is backed by one of WA’s biggest Peer support workforces. Our staff reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion, where difference is valued, celebrated and embraced.

By choosing to work with us, you are helping transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.

About The Role

As a Cultural Engagement Advisor, you will help shape culturally safe practice across the organisation while strengthening workforce capability and supporting meaningful engagement with Aboriginal communities.

Working within the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team, you will provide Aboriginal cultural expertise, Aboriginal engagement support and cultural safety advice that helps shape service delivery, workforce capability and organisational decision-making.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine organisation-wide impact by strengthening cultural practice, building community relationships and championing culturally informed approaches that improve outcomes for Aboriginal clients, families and communities across Western Australia.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide cultural guidance, mentoring and advice to staff
• Model culturally safe, respectful and strengths-based practice
• Support the development and implementation of cultural plans
• Assist teams to embed Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing into everyday service delivery
• Act as a trusted cultural advisor on complex or sensitive matters
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with Aboriginal people, families, Elders and community organisations
• Support community-led and culturally informed engagement approaches
• Deliver and contribute to cultural training, onboarding and workforce learning activities
• Provide mentoring and informal learning opportunities to strengthen workforce capability
• Contribute Aboriginal perspectives to organisational projects, initiatives and programs
• Support staff to translate cultural learning into practical day-to-day outcomes for clients

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who is passionate about strengthening culturally safe practice and building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal people, families and communities. You'll bring cultural knowledge, lived experience and the ability to work collaboratively with staff to create positive outcomes across the organisation. This role offers a unique opportunity to influence organisational practice and create lasting impact for Aboriginal clients, families and communities across Western Australia.

Essential

• Experience working with Aboriginal clients, families and communities
• Demonstrated ability to provide cultural advice and guidance to support culturally safe practice
• Experience supporting cultural planning and culturally appropriate service delivery
• Strong communication, engagement and relationship-building skills
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with diverse teams
• Experience supporting, coordinating or delivering cultural training, mentoring or workforce capability initiatives

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion across a broad range of communities

What Do We Offer?

At Ruah, we recognise the value of lived experience, cultural knowledge and professional expertise. In return, you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while being supported to thrive both personally and professionally.

• Salary aligned with Level 5 of the Ruah Enterprise Agreement (SCHADS Award), commencing at $105,916 plus superannuation
• 5 weeks annual leave plus 17.5% annual leave loading
• 16 weeks paid parental leave, with flexible options including access to 32 weeks at half pay
• Access to 4 weeks paid parental leave after only 6 months of service
• Free, independent and confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for you and your family
• Free Ruah-paid Journey Cover insurance for travel to and from work
• Excellent salary packaging benefits, including:
• Up to $15,900 in core salary packaging
• An additional $2,650 in meal entertainment packaging
• Packaging options for travel, accommodation, parking, education expenses and more
• Opportunities to participate in Pride initiatives, reconciliation activities and employee working groups
• A purpose-driven workplace committed to diversity, inclusion and social impact

Required Compliance Documents

Successful Applicants Will Be Required To Hold Or Obtain

• Current Driver's Licence
• National Police Clearance

Applications close: 30 October 2026

For a Confidential Yarn About The Role, Please Contact

Tony Culbong, Manager – Aboriginal Engagement and Employment at [e-mail] or on 0493 813 290

We are building a workplace where difference is embraced and encouraged - and to do this, weneed people on our team who are representative of the clients we work with, who are passionate about change and courageous enough to stand up for what is right.

Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs.

We are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All applicants will undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.