Student Support & Widening Participation Officer (Indigenous Identified)

University of New South Wales; Liverpool City Council; On-site; AUD 108,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cultural Leave

Indigenous Employee Network

17% Superannuation

Job summary

University of New South Wales in Liverpool, NSW, invites applications for the Student Support & Widening Participation Officer. The role focuses on strengthening engagement with Indigenous communities and other underrepresented groups to support participation and success in higher education.

Working with Hub staff and community partners, you will drive initiatives, deliver culturally responsive programs, and promote access pathways to students and prospective students.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree in education, communications, community services, youth work, marketing or related discipline.
• Experience in student support, outreach or widening participation initiatives preferred.
• Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and LGBTIQ+ inclusive practice desired.

Responsibilities

• Driving initiatives that improve access, participation and success for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other underrepresented students in higher education.
• Delivering culturally responsive support and programs that support retention and success.
• Bringing knowledge of higher education pathways to connect students with resources and referral pathways.
• Building partnerships with schools, education providers and community organisations to promote widening participation and student success.
• Promoting the Liverpool Study Hub through outreach, communications and community engagement activities.
• Creating a culturally safe and inclusive student experience.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Relationship management

Education

Relevant degree in education, communications, community services, youth work, marketing or related discipline

Job description

University of New South Wales - Liverpool NSW

• Employment Type: Full-time contract role until November 2027 (potential for extension)
• Remuneration: $108k+ 17% superannuation and leave loading
• Location: Liverpool (On-site role)
• Benefits: Cultural Leave and Indigenous Employee Network

This position is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only.UNSW has obtained an exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to designate and recruit professional and academic positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons only, to fulfil UNSW’s goal of a representative workforce rate.

The Liverpool Study Hub is a community-driven space designed to improve tertiary access and boost success for current and future students of any Australian university, TAFE or tertiary provider. Supported by the Australian Government through the Suburban University Study Hubs program, the Hub provides welcoming study spaces, as well as in-person academic, wellbeing, and careers services for students who face increased barriers to study. UNSW is one of the world’s leading universities, committed to a mission to advance Progress for All.

Why your Role Matters:

As the Student Support & Widening Participation Officer, you will play a key role in strengthening engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and other underrepresented groups to support student participation, retention and success in higher education.

Working collaboratively with Hub staff, other educational providers, Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council and community organisations, the role builds strong partnerships to bridge gaps in higher education access, connecting prospective and current students with opportunities and support

Your day-to-day focus will include:

• Driving initiatives that improve access, participation and success for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and other underrepresented students in higher education.
• Delivering culturally responsive support and programs that support current and perspective students’ retention and success.
• Bringing existing knowledge of higher education pathways to cconnecting students with culturally responsive information, opportunities and referral pathways.
• Building meaningful community partnerships across schools, education providers and community organisations to champion widening participation and student success
• Promoting the Liverpool Study Hub through engaging outreach, communications and community engagement activities.
• Creating a sense of belonging through a culturally safe and inclusive student experience.

Who You Are:

This position is open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only. UNSW has obtained an exemption under section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) to designate and recruit professional and academic positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander persons only, to fulfil UNSW’s goal of a representative workforce rate. Evidence of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status will be requiredhttps://www.indigenous.unsw.edu.au/evidencing-aboriginality-andor-torres-strait-islander-status

Bringing a deep understanding of the higher education sector, student lifecycle and the challenges affecting participation and success for students from Indigenous, equity and underrepresented communities, you’ll be confident in developing and delivering student support, outreach or widening participation initiatives that promote access, inclusion, belonging.

Key requirements:

• Relevant degree in education, communications, community services, youth work, marketing or related discipline.
• Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, perspectives, protocols and lived experience.
• Knowledge of higher education pathways and equity student experiences.
• Experience delivering student support, outreach or widening participation initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and relationship management.
• Ability to provide high-quality advisory support, with a commitment to inclusion and culturally responsive practice.
• Strong organisational, project coordination and digital skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and evaluate activities in a developing environment.

Alongside standard pre-employment checks, this role requires the successful candidate to hold a valid paid Working with Children’s Check.

For further details on role responsibilities and skills & experience required, refer to the position description found under the position listing on Jobs@UNSW.

Benefits and Culture:

People are at the core of everything we do. We recognise it is the contributions of our staff who make UNSW one of the best universities in Australia and the world.Our benefits include:

• Flexible working options.
• 17% Superannuation contributions and additional leave loading payments.
• Additional 3 days of leave over Christmas period.
• Discounts and entitlements (retail, education, fitness)

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.

All offers of employment will be subject to prior evidencing of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status.
For more information on what constitutes asevidencing Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander status, please email**********@unsw.edu.au

Sponsorship is not available for this role, valid Australian working rights are required on application.

UNSW is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Applications from women, people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those living with disabilities, members of the LGBTIQ+ community; and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, are encouraged. UNSW provides workplace adjustments for people with disability, and access to flexible work options for eligible staff.