Description:
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Manager - Strong Country is accountable for delivery of programs and services covered by the Nyamal Healthy Country Plan.
This includes, but is not limited to:
- Ranger Program;
- Knowledge Programs;
- Cultural Site Management;
- Return to Country initiatives;
- Indigenous Protected Area; and
- Jointly Managed Purungunya Conservation Estate.
The General Manager is responsible for managing the Strong Country team, including coordinators, rangers, and other relevant staff. This includes oversight of day-to-day team operations, human resources matters, timesheets, and other administration related to staff and program delivery.
A key requirement will be guiding the implementation of land management activities and supporting the expanded organisation structure under the Strong Country Unit. This role will also provide leadership and direction in managing stakeholder relations and the administration of research and related programs on Nyamal Country.
As well as the above core activities the role will work with the Leadership Team guided by the Nyamal Strategic Plan to build on the existing social, economic, and environmental capacity of the Nyamal Native Title area to plan and create a sustainable future to strengthen Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation and its members.
This position will remain open for four weeks; however, NAC will be interviewing throughout the application period and reserves the right to close the advertisement early if a suitable candidate is identified.
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
Leadership and Management
Ensure Nyamal Aboriginal Corporation is viewed as a First Nations led member-focused corporation. Regularly review the Strong country unit structure, roles, and capabilities to maintain a flexible, relevant and skilled workforce.
- Lead, build, and manage the Strong Country Team - including coordinators, rangers, and other staff - to create a productive and collaborative high-performing team.
- Oversee administrative duties related to staff management, including HR matters, timesheet approvals, leave coordination, and performance support.
- Ensure culturally diverse teams are supported and mentored, with clear pathways for career development and progression.
- A positive culture of sharing, support, communication, and cooperation is promoted.
- Lead by example with all behaviours and actions in line with Nyamal Protocols, Policies and Procedures.
Relationships
Establish and maintain productive relationships within the Community, Members, Councils, local First Nations organisations, peak bodies, research institutions, not-for profit organisations, government departments, and other key stakeholders. Ensure relationships are founded upon integrity, align with Nyamal objectives and are mutually beneficial.
- A strong relationship is maintained with the NAC Board, NAC Council of Elders and community members is upheld.
- Partnerships and strategic relationships which add value to NAC strategic objectives are pursued.
- Positive relationships with new and existing partner organisations are actively pursued, strategically developed, and effectively maintained.
- A collaborative relationship with State and Federal Government departments and other funding bodies is maintained.
- NAC is represented in industry events and professional development is maintained via attendance at conferences and workshops organised by relevant industry bodies.
- In consultation with the Leadership Team provide positive messaging on Nyamal matters in the media, the public and to Members.
Strategic Planning
In collaboration with the Leadership Team, participate in the development, implementation and/or maintenance of Strategic Plans and Annual Work Plans which meets the approval of the Directors.
- An inclusive planning process with the Leadership Team leads to the development of a Strategic Plan which meets Board approval.
- Oversee the development and execution of the annual program of works for the Strong Country Unit, ensuring alignment with NAC’s strategic objectives and funding agreements.
- Provide timely updates and achievement reports to the Chief Executive Officer and ensure all reporting to funding partners is completed in line with contractual requirements.
- Strategic positioning of the corporation and Strong Country unit to increase opportunities to manage areas of Nyamal Country and grow and enhance the Corporation.
Finance and Resource Management
In collaboration with the Leadership Team, develop and maintain a planning and delivery framework which integrates asset planning, service planning and annual budget development.
- An annual Strong Country Unit budget is developed which meets with the Chief Executive Officer’s approval.
- All program budgets are overseen and managed adequately to ensure spending is in line with the projected budget and can adequately support the required works.
- Proactively seek additional funding, partnerships, and resourcing opportunities - including fee-for-service work - to strengthen the economic sustainability of the ranger program and support long-term program growth.
- Appropriate structures are in place to manage all assets owned and/or managed by NAC.
Program Management and Performance
Delegated responsibility for performance, contractual compliance and reporting requirements of funded programs for Strong Country Unit. Maintain a sound-level understanding of contracts, terms and conditions.
- Indigenous Protected Area
- Oversee the delivery of the Indigenous Protected Area consultation project, ensuring compliance with funding agreements and achievement of program objectives with scope to expand responsibilities as the IPA progresses into future stages.
- Support the Strong Country Coordinator in the implementation of the project plan including overseeing budgets and the development of the Management plan.
- Ensure safety, logistical, and operational efficiency in activities.
- Ranger Program Management
- Oversee the delivery of all Ranger Program projects, ensuring compliance with funding agreements and achievement of program objectives.
- Develop and support a strategic Ranger program including developing long-term operational planning and the application of further funding sources to support the program
- Ensure safety, logistical, financial and operational efficiency in ranger activities.
- Jointly Managed National Park Coordination
- Drive NAC-DBCA joint management relationships, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
- Collaborate with DBCA to oversee the implementation of Joint Management operations, ensuring that the needs and priorities of NAC are effectively addressed. Support and provide advice to DBCA’s Purungunya Joint Management Officer and the Joint Management Body (JMB).
- Review and report on the implementation of ILUAs and other relevant agreements.
First Nations Ways of Working
Demonstrate a personal understanding of responsive ways of working with Nyamal people, First Nations People, Staff and Communities, representative and/or Statutory Bodies.
- NAC is recognised as advancing and promoting the wellbeing of Nyamal people and their families.
- All Nyamal people, First Nations People, staff and communities are supported in a way which protects and respects their cultures.
- Implement ICIP and research protocols across the Strong Country Unit’s work, ensuring they are guided by Nyamal values and principles.
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA
- Recognised degree in Anthropology, Environmental Sciences, Natural Resource Management, or related disciplines or equivalent experience, particularly in the Pilbara region.
- Strong leadership and management skills with a focus on cultural land management.
- Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining partnerships with diverse external parties.
- Knowledge of relevant legislation, regulations, and processes as appropriate to the role (eg, Native title, ILUAs, ranger programs).
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate a cross-cultural environment with composure and adaptability, demonstrating respect, understanding, and flexibility towards cultural and social differences.
- Understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal social and cultural challenges and willingness to commit to community empowerment, training and development.
- Demonstrated project management and financial management experience.
- Competence in using Microsoft Office applications.
- Willingness to travel and comfortable with camping on Country for up to and sometimes over a week at a time.
- Current Australian manual Driver’s License.
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
- In accordance with the objectives of the Corporation there is a preference for the General Manager (Strong Country) to be a Nyamal person, though this is not a designated/identified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander appointment.
- Experience with GIS mapping software.
- Experience working with state conservation agencies or federally funded ranger programs.