Development Officer

Exant Advisory; Brisbane; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary packages

Salary sacrifice

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave entitlements

Employee assistance program

Cultural awareness training

Health and well-being initiatives

7-day shutdown during Christmas/New Yr

Job summary

Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) is seeking a Development Officer to support Indigenous communities in strengthening governance, capability and leadership. You will help PBCs become self-governing, sustainable organisations aligned with cultural values and rights.

The role involves delivering the PBC Capability Development Program (PPP), coordinating legal input, and driving economic development through grants and partnerships. Brisbane-based, with regular travel across Queensland.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in Business, Law, Social Sciences or Indigenous Studies preferred; but relevant experience is also valued.
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations or governance structures.
• Knowledge of Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and related Indigenous governance acts.
• Understanding of First Nations cultural, political, economic and social issues.
• Demonstrated end-to-end project management, time management and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including grant applications.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Build trusted relationships with PBCs and Traditional Owner groups.
• Deliver the PPP Program including governance, planning and organisational development workshops.
• Assess organisational capability and develop governance frameworks and resources for each PBC.
• Mentor Directors and employees in governance and management.
• Support Directors to meet obligations under the CATSI Act and Native Title Act; manage meetings, compliance and reporting.
• Identify funding opportunities, prepare grant applications and manage grant acquittals.
• Coordinate with QSNTS legal practitioners for required input.
• Monitor progress and maintain case management records.

Skills

Project management

Grant writing

Stakeholder engagement

Policy & legislation knowledge

Analytical writing

Communication skills

Time management

Travel readiness

Education

Business

Law

Social Sciences

Indigenous Studies

Job description

About Queensland South Native Title Services

Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) is a Native Title Service Provider funded by the Australian Government to assist Traditional Owners in pursuing and exercising their native title rights and interests through the provision of statutory services under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

We are passionate about the work we do and the values by which we operate. We are committed to building trusted partnerships and walking alongside Traditional Owners, ensuring they have the information, time and support needed to make strong and informed decisions throughout the native title journey.

Our team of professionals is committed to the QSNTS Way: right people, right country, right path.

About the role

The Development Officer plays a central role in supporting Prescribed Bodies Corporate (PBCs) to become strong, self-governing and sustainable organisations that exercise their native title rights and interests in line with their cultural values.

Reporting to the Development and Engagement Coordinator, you will work directly with allocated PBCs to strengthen governance, organisational capability, strategic leadership and economic development. You will work alongside Directors and members to build their confidence, knowledge and capability so they can increasingly govern and manage their organisations independently.

A key focus of the role is delivering the QSNTS PBC Capability Development Program, People, Place and Partnership (PPP). You will also support each PBC to implement its own cultural governance framework and strategic priorities. Where specialist input is needed, you will coordinate support from QSNTS legal, anthropological and other technical teams.

Based in Brisbane, this is a full-time, fixed-term position. Regular travel throughout Queensland, interstate travel and weekend work are required.

Key responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Build trusted relationships with PBCs and Traditional Owner groups.
• Deliver the PPP Program, including designing and facilitating governance, planning and organisational development workshops.
• Assess organisational capability and develop tailored cultural governance frameworks, systems and resources with each PBC.
• Mentor Directors and employees in good governance, leadership and organisational management.
• Support Directors to meet their obligations under the CATSI Act, the Native Title Act and corporation rule books, including meetings, compliance and reporting.
• Help PBCs identify economic development opportunities, prepare grant applications and business cases, and manage grant acquittals.
• Identify matters requiring legal advice and coordinate referrals and instructions to QSNTS legal practitioners.
• Monitor and report on PBC capability and progress, and maintain accurate records and case management information.

About you

To succeed in this role, you will have:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, such as Business, Law, Social Sciences and/or Australian Indigenous Studies, are highly regarded; however, demonstrated relevant experience and expertise in these areas will also be strongly regarded.
• Proven experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities or governance structures.
• Knowledge or understanding of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006 (Cth) and Prescribed Body Corporate operating environments.
• An understanding of the cultural, political, economic, environmental and social issues affecting First Nations peoples.
• Demonstrated end-to-end project management, time management and organisational skills.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, including the ability to produce quality reports and grant applications.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and relationship-building skills.
• Sound judgement and the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• A commitment to QSNTS' values and to delivering high-quality services to Indigenous Australians.
• A current open driver's licence and availability for regular travel and weekend work.

What we offer

We offer a range of employee benefits and programs designed to promote work-life balance, career development and personal growth. Some of the employee benefits we offer include:

• Competitive salary packages
• Salary sacrifice
• Flexible working arrangements
• Generous leave entitlements
• Employee assistance program
• Cultural awareness training
• Health and well-being initiatives
• Additional 7-day paid shutdown during the Christmas / New Year period

Applications close Wednesday 28 October 2026