First Nations Strategy And Partnerships Lead

FIRST PEOPLE Recruitment Solutions; Canberra; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Silverchain Group is seeking a Senior First Nations Strategy and Partnerships Lead to shape commitments with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. You will act as the organisation’s voice on First Nations strategy with direct influence at Executive and Board level.

You will oversee the finalisation and rollout of the Partnership Strategy and RAP, ensuring culturally safe, responsive and fair care nationwide.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading First Nations engagement strategy or partnership roles.
• Deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and self-determination principles.
• Senior-level experience in stakeholder engagement and governance.
• Proven track record delivering strategic initiatives and leading organisational change.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for strategic documents and reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, implementation and delivery of the First Nations Partnership Strategy to time and scope.
• Lead delivery of the current RAP and help develop future RAPs.
• Provide executive and board level strategic advice on health equity and access.
• Contribute to governance mechanisms that include First Nations voices in decision-making.
• Build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and peak bodies.
• Co-design initiatives reflecting community priorities and Closing the Gap commitments.
• Embed cultural safety in workforce, care delivery and policy.
• Grow First Nations suppliers and lead procurement strategy.
• Lead recruitment and career progression for First Nations employees.
• Identify and secure resources and funding for First Nations programs.
• Monitor, evaluate and report on progress including data sovereignty considerations.

Skills

First Nations engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic planning

Governance

Policy development

Job description

First Nations Strategy and Partnerships Lead

The Silverchain Group is one of Australia's leading in home care specialists, providing health and aged care services to 140,000 clients a year. We have been trusted by Australians to deliver care that is differentiated by quality and safety for 130 years.

Silverchain provides home care services in all states of Australia, and the ACT in partnership with our clients, as well as governments, health networks, hospitals, retirement communities, and private companies. We employ nurses, doctors, allied health, care workers, and a dedicated research and innovation division.

For a detailed position description, please contact Marisa Conlon - ••••@fprs.com.au

About the Role

This is a new senior role where you can shape how one of Australia's largest care providers works with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

As the most senior First Nations role at Silverchain, you will be the organisation's leading voice and advocate for First Nations strategy, with direct influence at Executive and Board level.

You will report to the Executive Director, Community Impact and Inclusion. You will lead the finalisation and rollout of Silverchain's First Nations Partnership Strategy and provide leadership across the delivery of its Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The aim is culturally safe, responsive and fair care across Silverchain's national footprint.

Key Duties

• Lead the development, implementation and delivery of the First Nations Partnership Strategy, making sure initiatives are delivered on time and within scope
• Lead delivery of the current RAP and work with others to develop future RAPs
• Give the Executive and Board culturally informed strategic advice on health equity and access
• Lead or contribute to governance mechanisms that bring First Nations voices into decision-making, such as advisory groups, the RAP Working Group and community reference panels
• Build respectful, reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, peak bodies and ACCHOs across all operating jurisdictions
• Help co-design initiatives and service models that reflect community priorities and align with Closing the Gap commitments
• Work with People & Culture, Clinical Governance and operations to embed cultural safety in workforce development, care delivery and policy
• Work with Procurement to grow First Nations suppliers and deliver a First Nations procurement strategy
• Lead policy initiatives to improve recruitment, retention and career progression for First Nations employees
• Identify and secure resources and funding to strengthen First Nations programs
• Monitor, evaluate and report on progress, using community feedback and data, and supporting First Nations data sovereignty and ethical engagement protocols
• Lead and support the Aboriginal Program Lead
• Represent Silverchain at sector forums, working groups and partnerships

Capabilities

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrated experience leading First Nations engagement strategy or partnership roles, ideally in health, community or social services
• A deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems and self-determination principles
• Senior-level experience in stakeholder engagement, relationship building and cultural governance
• A proven track record of delivering strategic initiatives, leading change and building internal capability
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including strategic documents, reports, briefings and presentations

Highly desirable

• Qualifications in Indigenous studies, public health, community development or a related field
• Experience in large, complex organisations operating nationally or across several jurisdictions
• Familiarity with Closing the Gap, Indigenous data sovereignty and national reconciliation frameworks