Ongoing and non-ongoing opportunities | Affirmative Measures – First Nations

Lead from the front. Shape outcomes. Make a lasting difference for First Nations Communities.

Are you an experienced First Nations leader ready to take on a critical executive leadership role?

AHL is seeking capable and decisive leaders to take on the role as an Executive Level 2 (EL2) Frontline Director. These are pivotal positions with responsibilities for leading complex service delivery operations, setting direction for regional teams and ensuring that AHL’s hostel network delivers safe, effective and culturally responsive services to clients and communities.

As a Frontline Director, you will lead from the front in a dynamic and often challenging environment. You will be required to make sound and timely decisions, navigate complex operational and people matters, manage competing priorities and take accountability for outcomes. You will work across regional boundaries, providing leadership and direction where it is needed most, while building strong relationships with First Nations communities and key stakeholders.

These roles require more than operational oversight. They call for leaders who can bring clarity and direction to complex situations, exercise sound judgement, build organisational capability and drive outcomes that make a genuine difference to people and communities.

The key duties of the position include:

About the roles

As a Frontline Director, you will provide critical executive leadership across AHL’s hostel network, translating organisational priorities into effective regional operations and ensuring the network responds to changing business and community needs.

You will be accountable for regional performance and service delivery, leading through complexity, addressing significant operational and workforce issues, and working with senior leaders to strengthen the overall performance of our hostel network.

Key responsibilities include:

- Setting direction and taking accountability for operational performance, service delivery and outcomes.
- Making sound decisions in complex and sensitive situations, managing risks and competing priorities.
- Leading workforce performance, capability and accountability, including through periods of change.
- Managing complex client matters and ensuring services are safe, effective and culturally responsive.




- Building trusted relationships with First Nations communities and key stakeholders to inform decisions and improve outcomes.
- Driving continuous improvement and collaborating across the network to maintain service continuity and respond to emerging needs.

These roles require visible, engaged leadership and a willingness to travel to support your region or provide temporary coverage in other regions where necessary.

What we are looking for

We are seeking experienced leaders who demonstrate:

- A strong record of leading complex operations, settling direction and delivering outcomes.
- Sound judgement and decision-making in challenging, sensitive or high-pressured environments.
- The ability to lead through others, build capability and foster culture of accountability and high performance.
- Strong strategic thinking, risk management and problem-solving skills.
- Highly developed stakeholder engagement and influencing skills, including the ability to build trusted relationships with First Nations communities.
- A commitment to culturally responsive service delivery and continuous improvement.

You will bring the leadership presence, resilience and integrity to take ownership of complex issues, lead from the front and deliver outcomes for clients, staff and communities.

Eligibility

- Prior to engagement, the successful applicant will be required to:
- provide an Australian Citizenship document (e.g. birth certificate or passport);
- undergo a satisfactory National Criminal History Check;
- meet the fitness for duty requirements
- meet and satisfy the Affirmative Measures - First Nations eligibility requirements

For new APS employees, a six-month probationary period will apply.

Notes

Employment Opportunities

AHL is seeking to establish and maintain a merit pool of suitable candidates for both ongoing and non-ongoing opportunities.

Ongoing opportunities: The recruitment process will support potential appointments to current and future ongoing vacancies,



subject to business requirements and the selection process.

Non-ongoing opportunities: We are also seeking through this process suitably qualified candidates also for temporary vacancies, including short-term backfill and leave relief. Opportunities will vary in duration and location according to business needs.

This recruitment is being conducted under Affirmative Measures – Indigenous provisions.

First Nations leadership, knowledge and perspectives are importing to building trusted community relationships and delivering culturally responsive services. We encourage eligible Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the leadership experience and capability to succeed in these roles to apply.

How to apply

Submit your completed application pack through to ****@ahl.gov.au before Sunday, 8 November at 11:59pm AEDST.

As part of your application pack you are required to provide the following documents:

- Complete the application form, available from our website Work with us | Aboriginal Hostels Limited
- Your resume (maximum three pages)
- The statement of claims (imbedded in the application form) should be a maximum of two pages addressing the key responsibilities and capabilities.
- Include your name and the job reference (VN-0773890) in the subject of your email.

You may also refer to the APSC resource Cracking the Code for further guidance and assistance on applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service.

Getting to know the Aboriginal Hostels Limited

Our purpose is to provide culturally safe and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access services and economic opportunities. Across our network of hostels, dedicated AHL staff provide accommodation and meals for residents in a culturally safe and supportive environment. We have a solid network of relationships with other organisations, including First Nations organisations. This network both refers residents to AHL and works alongside AHL to support residents to meet their needs. We are proud to be one of the largest employers of First Nations people in the Australian Public Service, First Nations employees make up over 40% of our workforce. Working with us will provide you with a chance to contribute to improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for First Nations people.

📌 AFFIRMATIVE MEASURES - FRONTLINE DIRECTORS, OPERATIONS (Darwin)
🏢 Aboriginal Hostels
📍 Darwin