2023 Graduate Program (Feb 2023)

About Us 

The National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) is committed to improving the lives of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We work to support the Minister for Indigenous Australians, The Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP.

The NIAA also works to influence policy across the entire Australian Government. We liaise closely with State and Territory governments, peak bodies and service providers, and Indigenous communities to ensure that Indigenous programs are delivering for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Central to our approach is to build the cultural capability of all staff to ensure we have a strong place-based approach that is responsive and respectful to the communities we work with. We partner with community to ensure our policy and delivery programs reflect the characteristics and the needs of a place to achieve maximum impact.

Our Responsibilities 

The NIAA is responsible for:

• leading and coordinating Commonwealth policy development, program design and implementation and service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
• providing advice to the Prime Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Australians on whole-of-government priorities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
• leading and coordinating the development and implementation of Australia’s Closing the Gap targets in partnership with Indigenous Australians,
• leading Commonwealth activities to promote reconciliation.

You can read the full list of responsibilities in the Executive Order.

The Opportunity

The NIAA Graduate Program provides a platform for recent graduates to develop the skills, capabilities and networks to progress in their APS careers while contributing to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians.

As an NIAA Graduate, you will have the opportunity to work across the Agency to build your understanding of the Government’s key priorities relating to Indigenous Affairs.

You will be involved in complex and fulfilling work at the forefront of Indigenous Affairs, including important initiatives such as the Indigenous Voice and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

You will help develop, implement and evaluate policies and programs while working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, state and territory governments and Indigenous organisations to make sure the policies and programs address the individual needs of each community.

You will assist in providing advice to the Minister for Indigenous Australians on matters affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

Working across the NIAA our Graduate Program will develop your knowledge and understanding of the Agency’s key priorities.

Key facts about the program include:

• Choose from our Generalist Stream or Corporate Stream
• The NIAA Graduate program runs for 12 months.
• It consists of rotations through various work areas including policy, program delivery and enabling services.
• The program is based in Canberra, with a potential rotation in one of our metropolitan, regional or remote locations.
• The Program gives graduates access to extensive professional learning and development, particularly ongoing cross-cultural learning through NIAA’s ‘Footprints Program’, as well as some fantastic personal development opportunities.
• NIAA Graduates receive dedicated pastoral care and a distinctive support program.

Generalist Stream

At the NIAA we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and across the public service to implement policies and programs.

The generalist stream will allow you to work in various policy, program, delivery, evaluation and engagement areas of the Agency. This stream is for Graduates who are inquisitive, flexible and comfortable with change and ambiguity.

Our expertise spans across Health and Wellbeing, Education and Youth, Women, Children and Families, Culture and Heritage, Closing the Gap, Recognition and Empowerment, Business and Economics, Grants Administration, Housing, Land and Environment, Employment, Policy Analysis and Evaluation, and Program Compliance and Fraud. You will embrace all opportunities as you navigate through the Agency to better understand your strengths, capabilities and interests.

Corporate Stream

For the NIAA to implement policy, programs and services to benefit Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples our staff need the best capabilities and support to succeed. Our staff are supported by the Agency’s enabling functions which are integral to the achievement of the NIAA’s key priorities. Our Corporate stream has opportunities in human resource management, legal, communications and media, IT and financial management.

The Corporate stream is for individuals who are excited by the opportunity to provide high quality professional services to support the work of the Agency.

Our Ideal Candidate

NIAA is very unique. We work end to end, from policy development to delivery. We come from a vast array of backgrounds and have a wide variety of skills. We are an inclusive agency and welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, especially Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We are seeking candidates that want to work at the NIAA because they are passionate about improving the lives of Indigenous Australians. In addition, to be successful in the NIAA Graduate Program you:

• are a committed, energetic and curious person who embodies NIAA’s values and behaviours
• have an awareness of issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and s   commitment to developing your ongoing cultural competency
• have strong communication and interpersonal skills
• have demonstrated sound judgement, innovation and problem solving skills
• are agile and resilient, making the most of the opportunities as they present.

Our shared values and behaviours underpin how we work. To make a significant contribution to an Australia that respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and peoples with fairness in economic and social participation, we are one team with a culture that positions us with the right capability, people, passion and pride to make a difference.

NIAA employees need to embody our shared values and behaviours:

• We respect multiple perspectives
• We are authentic
• We are professional and act with integrity
• We invest in each other’s success
• We deliver with purpose

What We Offer

This position is Identified which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This position is required to liaise with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and service providers. You will require cultural competency, including:

• understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• demonstrated capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency.

Did you know?

The 2023 NIAA Graduate program has both an affirmative measures disability and affirmative measures Indigenous recruitment process. What does this mean? Affirmative measures are vacancies designed to address the under-representation of people who identify as having disability or as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander in the Australian Public Service (APS). If you are eligible and interested in applying through either of these vacancies, please submit your application using the links below and we will support you through the process.

Affirmative Measures Disability 

Affirmative Measures Indigenous

Identified Position

These positions are Identified which signifies that the roles have a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

These positions are required to liaise with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities and service providers. You will require cultural competency, including:

• understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
• demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples
• demonstrated capability and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency

Employment Type

This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the NIAA delegate.

Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for an initial period of up to 18 months, with possibility of extension up to a maximum period of three years. 

A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur with 12 months (from the opening date of this advertisement).

Eligibility

To be eligible for this position you must:

• Have completed at least a three-year undergraduate bachelor degree obtaining a credit average within the last eight years. All degrees must be complete by 31 December 2022 and be recognised in Australia.
• Be able to obtain and maintain an Australian Government security clearance to a minimum of Baseline level.
• Be an Australian citizen by 30 June 2022. You will need to provide evidence to verify impending citizenship.

The successful candidates will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will be subject to a probation period unless already employed in the APS and has already served a probation period.

As all positions are located in Canberra, you must also be willing to relocate to participate in the program.

How to Apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Submit an online application by Sunday 17 April 2022, 11.30pm AEST. 

As part of your application you will need to provide:

• your resume (maximum three pages), including the contact details of two referees
• Your academic transcript

To be eligible for employment with NIAA, applicants must be an Australian Citizen at the time of the vacancy closing.

Who to Contact

For more information about the role, please e-mail Entry Level Programs Team on (02) 6271 6000 or at entrylevelprograms@niaa.gov.au.

If you experience any difficulties accessing or submitting your online application, please contact the Recruitment Team on (02) 6271 6000 (option 2) or email.