Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Office of Chief Executive Job title Chief Executive Officer Designation Executive Contract Officer 5

Job type
Full time Duration Fixed for 4 years Remuneration package $355,619 Location Darwin Position number 11945 RTF 358462 Closing 25/10/2026 Contact Officer Ryan Webster, Client Partner, Six Degrees Executive on 0483 956 319 or [email protected] About the agency https://families.nt.gov.au Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=358462 APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS. Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website. Context Statement The cultural and geographic diversity, size and complexity of the Northern Territory is both a challenge and an opportunity in the delivery of fit-for-purpose government policy and services. Around 30% of the Territory population are Aboriginal people, and around 70% of these live in regional and remote locations, with English as a second or third language, and where economic and labour market opportunities are limited. This means that the Territory is very different to the rest of Australia, culturally, socially, and economically. The Department of Children and Families, through a workforce of around 560 FTE and a budget of around $370 million per annum, operates in partnership with stakeholders to provide person centric, culturally safe and integrated services that empower individuals experiencing vulnerability to increase safety and wellbeing for themselves and their children, ensuring families are responsible and communities are strong. The Department is responsible for providing assistance to:
- Children and young people to enable them to live and thrive in secure environments through provision of case management, program and other supports; and targeted interventions delivered through the child protection, out of home care and family support service systems.
- Territorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness to ensure they have access to appropriate support, accommodation and housing.
- Territorians experiencing abuse and violence through developing policies and providing programs to prevent, reduce and address domestic, family and sexual violence.
- Territorians impacted by disaster to ensure they are supported to recover, and their essential welfare needs are being met. The Role The role of CEO is accountable for the delivery across the Northern Territory of strategic high level policy, programs and services across the Children and Families portfolio aligned with Government's priorities and commitments and consistent with intergovernmental agreements. Under the *Care and Protection of Children Act 2007*,



the CEO of the Department of Children and Families is the responsible person for children for whom a child protection order is in force. The CEO acts as a steward of the broader NTPS providing strategic leadership and direction to Government, stakeholders and the community. The work of NTPS CEOs has both immediate and long-term influence and impact across all NT communities and all sectors of the economy. The CEO actively leads, participates in and contributes to interagency collaboration and is a member of the CEO Coordination Committee, ensuring the sector is delivering Government priorities in a connected and streamlined way, and that there is a united leadership voice throughout the NTPS. NTPS CEOs contribute to an effective and cohesive NTPS. They provide professional/specialist expertise, policy advice, program and service delivery, and regulatory administration at a high level; promote cooperation within and between other agencies including to deliver outcomes across agency and portfolio boundaries. They are expected to promote, by personal example, the NTPS Values, the NTPS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct. Capabilities for this Role The NTPS Capability Framework (CF) applies to all NTPS employees. CF12-13 applies to this vacancy. The framework is available here
- NTPS Capability Framework. Key Capabilities *Shapes strategic thinking
* – the CEO sets direction, understanding the agency’s purpose and strengths, government priorities and community needs. They communicate a clear and compelling vision for the department that is meaningful to others. They make decisions in complex and ambiguous environments in the absence of complete information and anticipate and lead change in a planned way. They ensure effective risk operating models and governance. The CEO engages with new ideas, promotes innovation and works across agencies, the private and not for profit sectors to develop solutions. *Achieves results
* – the CEO focuses on the work only they can do. They drive a high performance, continuous improvement culture, commit to action, develop workforce capability, and ensure employee safety and well-being. The CEO ensures their management team performs strongly as a team, coordinating decision making and resource allocation to ensure each reinforces priorities. They commit to mentoring and development of direct reports. They build a learning culture, focus on results, motivate others and remain calm under pressure. Department of Children and Families Page 1 of 2

Job description
*Cultivates productive working relationships
* – The CEO builds and sustains positive internal and external relationships based on trust, respect, and integrity. They drive a culture of customer experience excellence,



and manage challenging stakeholders with diplomacy and tact. They value diversity and have a strong appreciation of cultural difference and needs, in both the workforce and the customer base. They enable collaboration and expect inclusive work practices and service delivery throughout the department. *Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
* – The CEO deliberately chooses how to behave and leads by example. They act in accordance with NTPS legislative frameworks, model ethical behaviour and consistently apply ethical standards to self and others. The CEO is prepared to provide impartial and forthright advice, make tough corporate decisions and have difficult conversations in a fair, considered and constructive manner. The CEO is committed to their own development and continuous self-improvement and learns from experience. They actively seek feedback to enhance their leadership and ensure sound decision making. *Communicates with influence
* – the CEO builds credibility, authority and reputation of self and the organisation through open communication, active listening, and confident negotiation. They communicate appropriate to the situation both strategically and tactically, and in ways that promote trust, respect and integrity. Selection Criteria Essential 1. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline combined with relevant senior executive experience, or equivalent combination of substantial relevant senior executive experience and education/training. 2. Extensive demonstrated experience in interpreting and applying legislation and in developing contemporary responses to address social, family and community issues relevant to this portfolio, and in a similar context. 3. Strong track record of exercising sound judgement, including evidence of ability to inspire and communicate a sense of purpose and direction for staff and stakeholders, manage risk, and drive service excellence and reform in a large, complex, multi-disciplined, multi
- cultural organisational setting. 4. Comprehensive understanding of the Australian system of government and the context in which the public sector operates, together with demonstrated political nous and capability to work successfully within these structures. 5. Strong business acumen with demonstrated experience in allocating and managing complex operational and capital budgets, asset portfolios and delivering fiscally responsible results in a diverse service delivery environment. 6. Demonstrated reputation for unquestioned integrity and the highest standards of personal and professional behaviour with ability to work within public sector accountability frameworks. 7. Demonstrated commitment to shaping a diverse, inclusive workforce that can deliver on agency and strategic priorities, and ensuring the welfare and well-being of all employees. 8. Post-graduate qualifications in business, management or other relevant discipline. Further Information The successful applicant will be required to undergo a criminal history check and obtain a current NT Working with Children Notice (Ochre Card). Qualifications will need to be sighted.

📌 Chief Executive Officer (Darwin)
🏢 NT Government - Department of Children and Families
📍 Darwin