North Coast Region is seeking a Senior Indigenous Program Officer to join the Partnerships and Programs team to lead high-impact work that strengthens educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people.

In this pivotal role, you will partner with local communities and organisations to embed authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives within the Australian Curriculum, while shaping and delivering regional programs that directly support student achievement and success.

You will provide strategic advice, manage targeted initiatives aligned to government priorities, and apply strong project management capabilities to monitor outcomes, evaluate impact, and drive continuous improvement across the region.

Job details

About the Department 

Working for the Queensland Department of Education means joining an organisation that values its people and promotes leadership and innovation. Be part of an environment that respects professionalism and diversity, offers training and development opportunities and embraces flexible careers and work-life balance. Find out more about working with us. 

About the role

This opportunity is ideal for a values-led professional who demonstrates high integrity, cultural capability, and influence, with the ability to work respectfully and effectively with stakeholders to deliver meaningful, student-focused change.
In this role you will:

• Provide high quality advice, guidance and practical support to schools to strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and students across early childhood and state schooling.
• Contribute to regional planning, implementation and monitoring of First Nations education priorities aligned to departmental and regional strategies.
• Build strong partnerships with schools, families, community and key stakeholders to support shared responsibility and culturally safe approaches.
• Support capability uplift across regional teams and schools, including strengthening understanding of cultural capability, cultural competency and effective ways of working with First Nations communities.
• Use data and local intelligence to identify need, prioritise effort, monitor progress and adjust supports to improve impact.
• Support schools to implement evidence-informed practices that improve attendance, engagement, belonging, learning and transition outcomes.
• Model and promote ethical practice, accountability and respectful engagement in all work.

Person requirements

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

• Strong cultural capability and cultural competency, including respectful ways of working that recognise the strengths, histories and lived experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• An understanding of the identified nature of the position and the importance of cultural safety, community partnership and self-determination in improving outcomes.
• High levels of integrity and professionalism, including sound judgement, confidentiality and accountability in decision-making.
• A student-centred approach, with a clear focus on improving outcomes for children and students through practical, strengths-based support.
• Confidence in using data and evidence to inform planning, monitor progress and target supports where they will make the greatest difference.
• Strong communication, negotiation and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across diverse stakeholders.
• Agility and resilience to adapt to changing priorities, respond to emerging needs, and maintain momentum in complex environments.

Selection competencies

The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate:

• Vision and strategic thinking: contributing to regional priorities that improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student outcomes through coordinated and evidence-informed action.
• Builds relationships: establishing trust with schools, communities and partners through respectful engagement and shared accountability.
• Achieves results: using data to prioritise, deliver and monitor targeted supports that lead to measurable improvement for students.
• Demonstrates sound governance: applying integrity, transparency and ethical decision-making aligned to departmental expectations.

Interested? To Apply 

• Attach a brief resume including contact details for 2 referees (referees should be familiar with your relevant work history). 
• Attach a written statement (1-page maximum) in response to the attached role description. 

Contact Name: Jessica Cole, Director, Partnerships and Programs (07) 5944 6962

Closing Date: 18-FEBRUARY-2026

We welcome all applicants to share any support needed to ensure our recruitment process is inclusive. 

Applications remain current for 12 months from the closing date and may be considered for appointment to identical or similar vacancies within the Department. 

Applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted. 

Further information

We are committed to building inclusive cultures in the Queensland public sector that respect and promote human rights and diversity.

For a full list of the position responsibilities and mandatory requirements, please ensure you download the attached Role Description and Applicant Information Package and follow the instructions.

Documents

Before applying for this vacancy please ensure you read the documents below.

• Applicant Information Package (PDF, 232KB)
  Information Package for Applicants
  
  NCR677895_26P -Role Description (PDF, 266KB)
  Role Description