Who we are

National Archives of Australia (National Archives) provides leadership in the best practice management of the official record of the Commonwealth and ensures that Australian Government information of enduring significance is secured, preserved and available to government agencies, researchers and the community.

Our vision: National Archives is committed to being a world-leading archive and strives to strengthen Australia's cultural identity and democracy by connecting people with the evidence of Australian Government activities and decisions.

National Archives endeavour to meet the future needs of government and expectations of the Australian public in our rapidly changing digital environment. Underpinning the transformative strategies to enable, secure, connect and innovate is a drive for comprehensive digital capability and service delivery. National Archives is committed to:

• innovation
• collaboration
• inclusion

National Archives is also committed to developing the capability and expertise of our staff, we offer a Studies Assistance Program that supports staff to achieve individual goals as well as increasing their capacity to help achieve National Archives’ strategic objectives. Our Health and Wellbeing Program encourages and supports a healthier workplace and healthy lifestyle choices for all employees.

About the role

The Access and Public Engagement Branch is the public face of National Archives of Australia, delivering reference, description and research services, examination of records for release in the open period, exhibition, education and public programs, publishing (including digital publishing), marketing, partnerships and events on site at national and state offices, and online. All programs and activities support the key National Archives’ role of providing an accessible, visible and interpreted national archival collection.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement is responsible for the strategic and operational implementation of National Archives’ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives working with business areas across the organisation delivering related functions, policies and activities including collection management, agency engagement and access and public engagement onsite, offsite and online - to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to connect to and access the national archival collection, archival services, and employment.

The Assistant Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement role is based in the Northern Territory Office.

Under broad direction the main duties of the role are to:

• Lead and contribute to embedding a First Nations perspective into the implementation activities for Strategy 2025-2030. This includes undertake research and consulting with internal and external stakeholders on improving collection management practice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander records.
• Collaboratively develop and deliver the strategic direction of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement section.
• Build staff capability and competency when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and collections.
• Work collaboratively with the Manager, Northern Territory to support staff to deliver National Archives’ services and programs, external engagement activities and the daily operations of the NT office. 
• Provide expert and culturally appropriate advice, manage complex or sensitive projects, issues and risks, and make decisions relating to National Archives’ engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, groups, and organisations.
• Analyse, research, and answer complex reference and access requests relating to records in the national archival collection.
• Represent the National Archives, build and maintain productive and professional relationships with internal and external stakeholders at meetings and deliver a high standard of customer service.
• Implement, promote and work in accordance with the National Archives’ Strategy 2025–2030: Evolving National Archives, Our Values, and change agenda.
• Promote and apply the APS and National Archives values and contemporary people management principles and practices in diversity, workplace health and safety and participative management.

Relevant tertiary qualifications, experience in administration and project management, archives or cultural heritage collection related fields and/or membership or eligibility for membership of relevant professional associations are desirable, but not necessary.

In the absence of formal qualifications, applied knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and history and evidence of skills, knowledge and equivalent experience relevant to the role are desirable.

Candidates are required to understand issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and have effective culturally appropriate engagement and communication skills.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible for the role you must be an Australian citizen. If you are selected, you will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a NV1 clearance level.

The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under subsection 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975' and as such is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait people.

How to apply

You need to apply through our e-recruitment system.

Your application will need to include:

• the names and contact details of at least two referees, one of whom should be a current supervisor.
• your current resume no more than three (3) pages long.
• statement of claims (1000 words maximum), describing how your skills, knowledge, and experience/qualifications would enable you to perform the duties of the role taking into account the “Performance Expectations” at the relevant classification and the National Archives’ Vision, Mission and Commitments as expressed in Strategy 2025–2030: Evolving National Archives and Our Values.

RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: https://www.apsc.gov.au/recruitability