Team Leader, First Nations Partnerships

• Permanent Full-Time | Hybrid
• From $156k package
• Opportunity to build strong relationships and partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations Community Groups
• Build relationships & partnerships with Traditional Owners & First Nations Communities

About Greater Western Water

We’re water… and more.

GWW is a Victorian government-owned water corporation that provides an essential service to some of the fastest-growing communities in Australia, stretching from Melbourne’s CBD to Lancefield in the north and Bacchus Marsh in the west. Click here to learn more

Benefits

• We embrace flexibility and connection with a balance of on-site and WFH.
• Free onsite parking (subject to availability)
• Gender neutral, 16-week parental leave
• Monthly work life balance day off to treat yourself (if full-time)
• Free income protection and salary continuance insurance
• Access to corporate health insurance deals with major providers
• Wellbeing, prayer, and sensory rooms in the Footscray and Sunbury office
• Access to our Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) working group. 
• Opportunity to take an alternative day instead of Australia day.

The opportunity

We now have this exciting new role available!

In this role you will build and lead a team who will work to advance GWW's Healing Country objectives within the 2030 strategy through fostering partnerships with Traditional Owners and First Nations Community groups, enhancing internal capabilities, and executing strategic projects. You will be pivotal in developing partnership agreements with five Traditional Owner Groups to facilitate early engagement on strategic water projects, bolster their capacity, and support self-determined water management initiatives. The role is essential in supporting GWW’s reconciliation journey by promoting cultural awareness, cultural competency, and cultural safety throughout the organisation. This role will also see you support the Head of Partnerships, Engagement, and Communications in implementing GWW's Reconciliation Action Plan.

Responsibilities

• Lead the First Nations Partnerships Team in developing annual work plans aligned with corporate strategy, fostering a culture of achievement, and providing thought leadership on policies and partnerships for water and Country management with Traditional Owners.
• Promote a culture of safety, wellbeing, and collaboration through exemplary leadership. Facilitate activities that enhance cultural awareness and capability within the organisation to support GWW's reconciliation efforts.
• Develop GWW's capability for proactive and respectful engagement with First Nations groups, focusing on Traditional Owners. Establish internal networks to integrate First Nations values, advocate for their voices, coordinate with other water corporations and government agencies, and ensure early and ongoing engagement between Traditional Owners and Project Managers.
• Lead the creation and execution of partnership agreements with Traditional Owners in the GWW service area, while managing funding and supporting activities to support their capacity to influence and inform decision-making on self-determined water projects.
• Collaborate with Traditional Owners to assess water entitlement returns, develop infrastructure and management strategies, and advocate for water rights and justice.
• Assist the Head of Partnerships and Manager of Partnerships in implementing the GWW Reconciliation Action Plan while ensuring alignment with government and industry commitments.

Skills & Experience

• Experience in leadership and good knowledge of Traditional Owner and First Nations People aspirations.
• Demonstrated understanding of the critical issues impacting Traditional Owners in Victoria and drive priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively with Traditional Owners, Traditional Owner groups, diverse stakeholder groups and water agencies.
• Knowledge of the water sector, and cultural heritage would be advantageous.
• Must be skilled in using common computer programs, and effectively monitor, evaluate, and share the results of our partnerships to the immediate team and the Board.
• At times, this role involves travel across our service region, a current Victorian driver's license would be beneficial.
• This role will require the successful candidate to undertake a Working with Children Check (WWWC).

This position is designated for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people under s.12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

See yourself thrive!

Our vision for GWW is Thriving People and Country. We aim to be as diverse as the communities we serve and are deeply committed to building a workplace where everybody thrives. We’re supportive, inclusive, and friendly, and value everyone for who they are and what they can bring.

We’re seeking applicants across all genders, and abilities, and will make reasonable adjustments as required, so please talk to us about what you need.

Don’t meet every single requirement? If you’re excited about this role, we encourage you to apply.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which will include reference checks, national police checks, and working rights in Australia checks.

To find out more about this opportunity, please reach out to Michelle Thorp, Talent Acquisition Consultant on 0408 191 881 (kindly no recruitment agency requests to fill).