COORDINATOR, FIRST NATIONS SCHOOLS AND YOUTH ENGAGEMENT 

• Charles Sturt University, with a strong commitment to improving First Nations student outcomes
• Dynamic, creative team with a commitment to driving results through collaboration with First Nations communities and organisations
• Permanent role with attractive salary and superannuation
• Location of your choice – Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Port Macquarie, Orange, Wagga

Charles Sturt University (CSU) has a strong Commitment to Closing the Gap. It strives to provide all students with an excellent University experience, setting them up for success by providing them with opportunities for engagement, academic excellence and being career ready. CSU delivers a cohesive suite of services for First Nations students including general advice and advocacy, a First Nations Tutor Program, Away From Base services, direct entry programs and culturally appropriate connection to a range of specialist services. It prides itself on having the highest number of First Nations students online in Australia and is consistently one of the highest overall First Nation enrolments nationally. 

Your New Role

As the Coordinator, First Nations Schools and Youth Engagement you will support First Nations Schools and Youth Engagement initiatives in the development and presentation of activities, information sessions, and workshops for First Nations students and their communities designed to increase the awareness and aspiration for university study as a pathway to employment.

You thrive in roles where success is measured through effective collaboration that delivers positive outcomes for First Nations people. Your approach to work is driven by a commitment to exceeding the expectations of all those with whom you engage, and are committed to performance, quality outcomes, student welfare, equity and conduct. Creativity is at your core, and you actively seek out new ideas and finding new ways of delivering effective services and programs. You are able to present and communicate information and express opinions clearly, fluently and credibly to a range of audiences and in differing contexts. You accept and tackle demanding goals, work hard, make the most of development opportunities and seek progression. Ideally you understand the needs of First Nations students in a university environment.

Your personal circumstances enable you to travel to multiple campuses across NSW, stay overnight where necessary, and to be rostered to work within the hours of 7am and 7pm according to student need. Some weekend and after-hours work may be required.

You will be responsible for 

• Leading the development and supporting the delivery of First Nations Success Initiatives that relate to school and youth engagement.
• Supporting the development of new First Nations Pathways activities relating to school and youth engagement, including festivals and family engagement strategies
• Providing advice on program outcomes relating to First Nations students’ participation across school and youth engagement activities of the University, and trends in Indigenous education outcomes in secondary education
• Collaborating with community stakeholders, key school sector stakeholders and the First Nations Student Success team to ensure school leavers are supported and prepared for enrolment and success at the University.
• Collaborating with internal teams with school and engagement responsibilities
• Developing and supervising First Nations student mentors involved in school outreach activities
• Facilitating and interpreting program evaluation and research activities to increase engagement with First Nations youth and school stakeholders.

Essential Criteria

• Aboriginality including lived experience and understanding of the issues affecting people in contemporary Australian society – your employer considers Aboriginality a genuine occupational qualification for the role in accordance with the Anti-Discrimination Act (s.14(d))
• Demonstrated communication and negotiation skills to work effectively with relevant stakeholders on matters relevant to the delivery of quality higher education to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of programs which support students and communities and/or industry engagement activities
• Outstanding interpersonal, written and oral communication skills, including well developed presentation skills
• Excellent information technology and project management skills including to operate efficiently as a member of a physically dispersed team
• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills with experience in identifying, understanding and resolving opportunities for improvement
• Demonstrated leadership skills with experience in leading, motivating, engagement and managing a range of professional from internal departments and external organisations to achieve positive program outcomes
• Satisfactory National Police and Working with Children Checks.

Qualifications

• A degree in a relevant discipline with 2 or more years’ subsequent relevant experience; or extensive experience (e.g. an associate diploma with at least 4 years relevant experience; or an equivalent level of knowledge gained through any combination of education, training and experience.

How to Apply
Please upload your current resume and a cover letter addressing the essential criteria stated that demonstrates how you meet the role requirements. Applicants not addressing the essential criteria may not be considered. For further information about the role, please contact Alix Goodwin on 0417 679 964.

Applications are to be received by 11.59pm on 20 November 2022. Applications will be progressively reviewed prior to the closing date.