Position Description
Aboriginal Partnerships and Strategy Officer
It’s an exciting time to join

We’re transforming the way we do business with significant investment in customer, digital and business innovation, re-
designing our infrastructure to service communities for generations to come and pursuing a circular economy so we can
not only reduce our environmental footprint but also reduce energy costs to keep customer bills affordable. We’re also
engaging communities to achieve better outcomes and support our incredibly talented and valued leaders and people.

Organisational Context

(approximately 20,000 km²). We operate 21 water treatment facilities and 22 wastewater treatment plants, with over 200 FTE
staff based across the region.

Our operations are overseen by the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on behalf of the
Minister for Water, and the Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) on behalf of the Treasurer. We invest in long-term
capital projects and provide an essential service that supports the health and wellbeing of current and future generations.

Our Commitment to Health and Safety

free from bullying and harassment for all employees, contractors, customers and visitors. We prioritise the health, safety
(physical and psychological) and wellbeing of all staff and customers.

Our Mindsets

At
where our people are aligned with our business direction, proud of their contribution to business performance, and own a
culture that is centred on the following mindsets:

- Committed to advancing and supporting people to succeed.
- Consistent in interactions with people and in applying processes.
- Provide empathy for people and be willing to place oneself in another person’s position.
- Accountable for one’s own actions and responsibilities and playing your part for the success of the

organisation.

- Cooperative with others to work towards the Corporation’s common goals.

Position Purpose

This position is a designated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander position, in accordance with Section 12 of the Equal
Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply for this position.

We are committed to partnering with local First Nations people to support outcomes in water management and maintain
cultural and spiritual connections to Country and work with eight Aboriginal communities across our service region,
including the Registered Aboriginal Parties of Yorta Yorta and Taungurung, and are also committed to our relationships
with the Duduroa Dhargal, Dhudhuroa Waywurru, Dalka Warra Mittung, Bangerang, Jaithmathang and Jaithmathang
TABOO communities.

Position Objectives

The Aboriginal Partnerships and Strategy Officer:

- Acts as a key contact and builds relationships with local Traditional Owners and First Nations groups, including the

two Registered Aboriginal Parties and six non-RAP groups in the region.
- Develops and maintains positive, productive relationships and engages regularly on upcoming strategies, plans,

capital works programs and other relevant initiatives.
- Progresses
- with state government, Traditional Owners and First Nations groups to inform and develop a

policy positions.

- Builds cultural heritage and First Nations commitments into internal processes such as capital projects and

explores cultural water allocations and other benefits to Country.

- Supports the Infrastructure Strategy & Liveability team with a variety of strategic projects relating to infrastructure,

water security and land.

- Leads the implementation of actions outlined in

Key Responsibility Areas

- Leading the implementation and continuous improvement of First Nations and Traditional Owner-related

strategies, obligations and actions arising from the Essential Services Commission’s Statement of
Obligations and the First Nations Self-Determination Framework, the State government’s Water is Life
and

- Representing




- Developing frameworks and guidelines to support the implementation of the Cultural Benefits

Framework, partnerships with Traditional Owners and pathways for progressing cultural water
projects.

- Working with the Communications & Engagement team to produce culturally appropriate internal and external

communications.
- Helping employees understand and include First Nations values in water security planning and water management.
- Identifying and embedding First Nations considerations, cultural heritage requirements and cultural

benefit opportunities into infrastructure strategy and planning activities.

- Identifying and progressing opportunities to return water to Traditional Owners and the setting,

including supporting pilot environmental or cultural watering projects and investigating enabling land
and water entitlement arrangements.

- Working collaboratively across the business to embed commitments from Water is Life and local

Traditional Owner priorities into policy, planning, procurement, customer initiatives and the capital
program.

- Advising on cultural heritage and related investigations for strategic and capital projects and liaising with

the appropriate external groups to support compliant and culturally informed delivery.
- Leading engagement with Traditional Owner and First Nations groups on current and future capital

programs, and maintaining accurate records, information management and reporting.
- Providing strategic advice and recommendations that help

risks and opportunities and deliver long-term organisational and community outcomes.
- Providing strategic planning advice and project management across key focus areas including urban

water security, environmental outcomes, land use, climate change, circular economy, integrated water
management, liveability and strategic partnerships.

- Contributing to the development, implementation and review of corporate strategies and plans.

Organisational Relationships

This role reports to the Team Leader Infrastructure Strategy & Liveability and liaises with all internal stakeholders, in
particular working closely with the Communications & Engagement, Procurement, Capital Delivery, Planning and People &
Culture teams.

Externally, this role liaises with all local non-registered and registered Aboriginal parties, other water authorities, catchment
management authorities, local and State government agencies, not-for profit organisations and the broader community.

Accountability and Extent of Authority

- Freedom to act for this position is subject to regulations, policies and regular supervision.
- The effect of decisions made, or advice given by this position may be significant but is subject to appeal or review

by more senior employees.

- The position has authority under

expenditure in accordance with approved budgets; and signing and generation of documents.

Judgement and Decision Making

- Exercise a high degree of autonomy within corporate policies and procedures, seeking guidance as needed.
- Use judgement and make recommendations across strategic, technical, research and analysis work. Guidance is

not always available within the organisation.

- Apply relevant guidelines and specialised knowledge to evaluate options, risks and impacts.
- Incorporate community and stakeholder expectations into assessments and advice.
- Exercise sound judgement in matters relating to corporate strategy, infrastructure, water security and Aboriginal

partnerships.

- Present clear options to the Team Leader Infrastructure Strategy,



including a preferred approach and rationale.
- Escalate critical issues promptly and provide recommendations to support timely decisions.

Specialist Skills and Knowledge

- Knowledge and proficiency in strategy development, Aboriginal partnerships, corporate change programs and

capacity building.
- Demonstrated knowledge and skills in project management.
- In-depth knowledge of Aboriginal culture, including an understanding of the cultural, historical and social contexts

of Traditional Owners and First Nations people.

- An understanding of the long-term goals of

frameworks that affect Traditional Owners and First Nations people.

- Well-developed analytical and investigative skills to assess a problem, consult with stakeholders and staff, develop

a practical approach and provide clear advice.

- Ability to produce professional correspondence, reports, presentations and other documents, as required.

Management Skills

- Ability to plan, schedule, budget projects of varying priorities and utilise resources in a cost-effective manner to

achieve agreed objectives and meet deadlines.
- Manage own time in performance of duties, achieving goals despite conflicting pressures and priorities.
- Maintain documentation and ensure reporting systems remain current with respect to project and research

activities under the responsibility of the incumbent.

- Design and deliver concurrent investigations and analysis on time and on budget.
- Maintain reporting systems to drive performance and accountability.

Interpersonal Skills

- Ability to represent
- Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively to support the understanding of the issues affecting First Nations

groups and Traditional Owners and to build trusting relationships.

- Facilitate collaboration, consultation and apply change management and capacity building techniques to resolve

issues and deliver agreed outcomes.

- Collaborate within a strategy team and improve processes, systems and ways of working.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills to communicate effectively with stakeholders, internally and

externally.

- Ability to communicate information accurately and adapt communication and approaches to different

community contexts and their needs.

Qualifications and Experience

- Your experience on Country, working with Traditional Owners, First Nations groups and community stakeholders to

collaborate and manage projects to achieve positive outcomes or a qualification relevant to the water industry,
indigenous studies, cultural heritage management, social sciences, law and policy or community development.

- Experience working with and/or supporting local First Nations communities with a commitment to cultural safety.
- Experience facilitating collaboration and supporting change management to deliver positive outcomes.
- Experience in strategic planning, policy development and/or project management.
- Knowledge and/or understanding of water and wastewater infrastructure, natural resources management and

strategy development (desirable).

Requirements of Employment

Employees of

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

- Take all reasonable actions to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of yourself and others in the workplace.
- Adhere to

training.

- Report all incidents regardless of the severity and participate in incident debriefs.
- Proactively focus on your physical and mental wellbeing.

Protecting the Environment

helping our communities build resilience and adapt to climate change. This will be demonstrated through continued
emissions reduction, climate adaptation and environmental stewardship.

Data Privacy

As a Victorian government organisation,
2014 (“PDP Act”). There are 10 Information Privacy Principles (“IPPs”) in the PDP Act that govern the way that North East
Water collects and handles the personal information of current and future employees and customers.
Privacy Statement can be found on our website.

📌 Aboriginal Partnerships & Strategy Officer (Wodonga)
🏢 North East Water
📍 Wodonga