Senior Advisor, Governance, Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 (Targeted)

NSW Government; Council of the City of Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 129,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government agency in New South Wales is seeking a Senior Advisor, Governance to manage governance programs and support Aboriginal communities. The role requires experience in government practices and the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders. This position offers a competitive salary range of $129,464 - $142,665 and hybrid working arrangements for the right candidate.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Hybrid work model

Excellent career development opportunities

Wellbeing programs

Qualifications

• Experience working with Aboriginal communities and organisations.
• Ability to deliver high quality policy and program outcomes.
• Knowledge of government governance practices.

Responsibilities

• Manage governance programs with stakeholders.
• Drive effective program implementation through reporting.
• Monitor program processes to ensure improvements.

Skills

Experience with Aboriginal communities

Effective communication

Problem solving

Can-do attitude

Education

Evidence of Aboriginality

Job description

Senior Advisor, Governance, Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 (Targeted)

Pay Competitive

Employment type Full-Time

Job Description

Req#: req46312

Senior Advisor, Governance, Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 (Targeted)

Essential Requirement: This is a Targeted role and evidence of Aboriginality is required.

Clerk Grade: 09/10
Salary Range: $129,464 - $142,665 + super
Employment Type: Full-Time, Temporary opportunity – until 30 June 2028.
Location: McKell, hybrid working arrangements – two days per week on site.

The Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 (PR4) Program, within NSW Department of Customer Service (DCS), is currently looking for a Senior Advisor, Governance to join their team!

Benefits

• Temporary clerk grade 9/10 opportunity – until 30 June 2028.
• Genuinely hybrid working arrangements – two days per week on site.
• State of the art offices.
• Wellbeing programs and resources available.
• Excellent career development and learning development opportunities.

About Us

Between 2025-28 the Department of Customer Service (DCS) will work in partnership with Aboriginal Affairs (AANSW) and the NSW Coalition of Aboriginal Peak Organisations (NSW CAPO) to deliver the Closing the Gap (CtG) Priority Reform 4 (PR4) implementation actions and Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance (ADS&G) reform development work program (PR4 Program). DCS will work with all NSW government agencies on key implementation actions on behalf of the partnership, to improve shared access to and shared decision-making regarding NSW Government-held data for Aboriginal communities.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The Senior Advisor, Governance provides high-level executive and secretariat support to multi‑agency governance forums, executive meetings, shared decision‑making forums and plays a key role in supporting the NSW PR4 and Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance (ADS&G) partnership (comprising of AANSW, DCS and NSW CAPO executives). The role ensures the effective coordination of agendas, minutes, action tracking, briefing materials, and program reporting to support informed decision‑making, compliance with governance, and financial oversight. The role will regularly coordinate, convene and input into whole‑of‑government networks, partnership forums and executive meetings to drive integrated improvement across the sector.

This position role will contribute to the delivery of the NSW PR4 and ADS&G program in ways that align with Aboriginal communities’ needs and priorities to achieve NSW Government commitments of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing governance programs with both government and community stakeholders.
• Driving effective program implementation through reporting, financial and secretarial functions.
• Monitoring program processes and outcomes to ensure improvements to shared access to and shared decision‑making regarding data for Aboriginal communities.
• Preparing program materials, reports and briefs to support both government and non‑government executives and to meet the program’s requirements under Closing the Gap.
• Convening regular whole‑of‑government and partnership forums to drive program initiatives.

About You

• Can think outside the box to solve complex scenarios.
• Can‑do attitude with a strong work ethic and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Experience working with Aboriginal communities and organisations, or in partnerships that involve government and non‑government partners, and in delivering high quality policy, program or service outcomes that meet the needs impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Have working knowledge of government governance practices, secretariat roles and financial management of programs.
• Effective communicator who can explain complex concepts in an easy‑to‑understand way to a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.

Essential Requirement: This is a Targeted role and evidence of Aboriginality is required.

Aboriginal as defined by the Aboriginal Lands Rights Act 1983 (NSW) is a person who:

• identifies as a person of Aboriginal descent
• presents documentation identifying their family’s Aboriginal descent
• is accepted by their local Aboriginal community as a person of Aboriginal descent.

For questions around the Confirmation of Aboriginality requirements or if you would like to know more about the support for Aboriginal employees, please contact [e-mail]

We value diverse experiences. Even if you're not sure you meet all requirements, we encourage you to apply.

To be part of this forward‑thinking, innovative team that thrives in challenging the status quo to support Aboriginal communities have improved access to data, we would love to hear from you!

What we need from you

To start your journey towards becoming our Senior Advisor, Governance please click on the link below and attach your resume (max 3 pages) and cover letter (max 2 pages).

In your cover letter please share your motivation for applying for this position and your relevant skills.

Please also respond to the two targeted questions below.

Targeted Questions

• Provide an example of a time you have had to deliver a culturally responsive project. What were the strategies you used to ensure meaningful engagement and inclusive practices?
• Describe an experience you have had working with government and non‑government stakeholders with conflicting priorities. What were the key challenges and how did you address them to ensure a successful outcome?

For any enquiries about the role please contact Gemma Tierney, Principal Policy & Reform Manager, Closing the Gap Priority Reform 4 via [e-mail]

Salary Grade 09/10, with the base salary for this role starting at $129,464 base plus superannuation

Click Here to access the Role Description . For enquiries relating to recruitment please contact Rodrigo Sandoval via [e-mail].

Visit the Capability Application Tool to prepare for the recruitment process by accessing practice application and interview questions based on the focus capabilities listed in the role description.

Closing Date: Friday, November 21st, 2025 at 10:00am

Careers at Department of Customer Service

A career at the Department of Customer Service (DCS) gives you the opportunity to help improve government services and be part of reform that benefits people across NSW. We are focused on delivering excellent customer service, digital transformation, and regulatory reform. Come join us and influence the future of our great state.

Belong in our diverse and inclusive workplace

The strength of our workforce lies in its diversity and embracing difference, while the key to our success is leveraging the contributions of employees with different backgrounds and perspectives.

You can view our full diversity and inclusion statement here .

We want you to bring your best self to this application process. If you have any support or access needs that may require adjustments to allow you to fully participate in this selection process (including an alternate format of the application form) please contact [e-mail] or 02 9494 8351.

For more information

Information on some of the different types of disabilities

Information on adjustments available for the recruitment process

The Government of New South Wales, also known as the NSW Government, is the Australian state democratic administrative authority of New South Wales.

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