Senior Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives

UTS; Broadway; On-site; AUD 111,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work practices

Parental leave

Salary packaging opportunities

Employee benefits

Job summary

UTS Library seeks a Senior Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives to lead projects that advance Indigenous data governance and culturally safe library services. The role focuses on ATSIDA maintenance, policy development, and collaboration with researchers, communities, and staff.

You will contribute to initiatives strengthening Indigenous education and engagement, aligning with UTS policies and reconciliation commitments.

Qualifications

• Experience with Indigenous data governance, archiving, and policy development.
• Strong stakeholder engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and researchers.
• Knowledge of Indigenous data sovereignty and data governance frameworks.
• Experience in libraries, archives, or higher education environments is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Proactively manage projects aligned with Library functions and institutional priorities.
• Provide expert advice on Indigenous research data management and governance.
• Collaborate to develop policies and infrastructure for culturally appropriate data access.
• Build and maintain relationships across internal and external stakeholders to support Indigenous initiatives.

Skills

ICIP

Research data management

Indigenous archives/libraries/museums

Cultural capability development

Education

Relevant degree qualification

Job description

Do you enjoy working behind the scenes, focusing on projects and turning ideas into practical improvements? This role offers the opportunity to support cultural capability, staff development, and meaningful change within an academic library through focused, project-based work.

We are seeking a dedicated Senior Specialist, Indigenous Initiatives who enjoys sustained, detailed work on projects that support the Library's operations, services, and strategic priorities. The emphasis is on behind-the-scenes project work rather than front-line engagement or service delivery. Working in alignment with the UTS Indigenous Policy and UTS Reconciliation Statement, you will contribute to initiatives that strengthen culturally responsive services, support Indigenous engagement, and advance Indigenous data and knowledge governance across the Library.

A key responsibility of the role is the development, maintenance, and ongoing operation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Data Archive (ATSIDA), a nationally significant research data repository supporting the preservation, discovery, and responsible management of Indigenous research data.

This position is part of the Open Scholarship and Copyright team, which supports open scholarship, research data management, scholarly publishing, copyright, and scholarly communication activities across the University.

While experience in a library, archives, cultural institution, or higher education environment would be advantageous, we welcome applicants from a broad range of relevant professional backgrounds.

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified position. In accordance with the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW), applications are invited from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples only.

About you

You are passionate about creating positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and are committed to advancing culturally safe and responsive practices within higher education.

You have demonstrated experience building productive relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, researchers, students, professional staff, and external partners, to develop and implement initiatives that support Indigenous education, research, and engagement outcomes.

You bring specialist knowledge or experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP)
• Research data management and digital collections
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archives, libraries, museums, or cultural heritage environments
• Cultural capability development and organisational change

You are confident providing specialist advice, influencing stakeholders, and contributing to projects, policies, frameworks, and service improvements that support organisational objectives and Indigenous priorities.

You have strong communication, project management, and problem-solving skills, and can work both independently and collaboratively in a complex and evolving environment.

About UTS Library

Located at the heart of UTS on Gadigal Country, we provide welcoming spaces and services for students and staff to discover and share knowledge, and to learn and explore together. We play a vital role in preparing students for a lifetime of learning and supporting staff as they increase the global impact of their research. See it for yourself in this short video: uts.ac/librarywelcome

UTS Library is also home to ATSIDA - a trusted research data management facility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research data. We work with researchers and communities to care for and return research data, following cultural protocol as well as advocating for Indigenous Data Sovereignty.

Why work with us?

• Be part of a team of creative, committed experts
• Enjoy flexible working conditions
• Learn new skills - continued staff development is a personal focus we are proud of
• Broaden your experiences - we never shy away from piloting new ideas to ensure we meet the demands of the dynamic world of higher education
• Join a great workplace culture - we work onsite at least three days per week in an outstanding location and collaborate on a range of projects across the Library and University
• Get access to a wide range of generous staff discounts and services: https://www.uts.edu.au/staff/working-uts/our-staff-benefits

Additionally, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander staff at UTS receive:

• Additional leave for cultural obligations.
• Access to Indigenous Employee Assistance Program provider Yamurrah

Why your role is important

• Implement meaningful change in developing culturally relevant Library spaces and services that support First Nations education and Research.
• Maintain and develop an Archive that contributes to the growing body of First Nations research in Australia.
• Support an environment of continual cultural learning and safety for Library staff and embedding learnings into day-to-day practice.
• Support researchers working with First Nations research to ensure that research data is managed according to cultural protocols and international practice.
• Contribute to the field of Indigenous Data Sovereignty, Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Indigenous Information Literacy.

Key responsibilities

• Proactively contribute to and/or manage projects involving changes related to Library functions which may impact on other areas of the institution.
• Provide expert advice to stakeholders on how to work and manage Indigenous research data in alignment with protocols, policies and best practice.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to develop policies and infrastructure to meet its objective of providing culturally appropriate access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander data.
• Actively build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders in order to work effectively across multi-disciplinary projects to enhance and improve the Library's service provision to clients.

You have

• Relevant degree qualification with substantial relevant experience or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills that enable effective engagement, collaboration and partnership building with internal and external stakeholders in both face-to-face and online environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of issues relating to Indigenous community consultation and Indigenous research and protocols
• Demonstrated capacity to work with culturally sensitive data that shows the ability to follow best practice, guidelines and protocols

Applications are only open to Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, pursuant to the exemption granted to UTS under s126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). We will only consider applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Establishing your status as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person means any person who:

• is of Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• identifies as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
• is accepted as such by the community in which you live and or have lived.

Remuneration

Base Salary Range: : $111,479 to $123,623 pa (HEW 7)

This role attracts 17% superannuation (pension) in addition to the base salary.

This position is full-time and appointment will be made on a continuing basis.

UTS staff also benefit from a wide range of Employee Benefits include flexible work practices, child care centres, generous parental leave and salary packaging opportunities.

Applicants must have current and valid work rights in Australia.

UTS prioritises safety, respect, and inclusion for every member of our community. In support of this, and in line with our statutory obligations under the National Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence 2026, all prospective employees must declare any past investigations relating to gender-based violence. Employment at UTS is contingent upon completion of this declaration, and, where necessary, assessment of any identified risk factors. We appreciate your role in upholding the standards and behaviour expected of our community.

Accessibility

UTS Recruitment care about digital accessibility. If there is any content in our advertising that you have struggled with, please make us aware so that we can make our information accessible to all.

In addition, if you have a disability that requires adjustment to the recruitment process or an alternative application pathway please contact ***********@uts.edu.au for assistance.

UTS is recognised widely as supporting inclusivity and diversity through our Wingara Indigenous Employment Strategy, Social Impact Framework and UTS Access and Inclusion Plan. Cited as a WGEA Employer of Choice since the inception of the award, we were among the first Australian institutions to receive the Athena SWAN Bronze Accreditation for our commitment to action addressing gender equity in the STEMM disciplines.