Manager, Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing

Manager, Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing

Location: Parramatta with flexible hybrid working arrangements available

Employment type: 1 x Identified role, Ongoing Full-Time and 1 x Generalist role, Temporary up to 6months with a possibility of extension.

Salary: Clerk Grade 11/12 ($154,231 - $178,369 pa), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

About the team

The Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing (ACSW) team sits within Child and Family and plays a critical role in shaping and driving reforms that improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities across NSW.

We work collaboratively across the Department of Communities and Justice, government agencies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and Aboriginal communities to develop policy, lead strategic initiatives and support system reform. Our work is grounded in cultural respect, partnership and a commitment to achieving lasting change.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-profile reform priorities and influence policy and program outcomes that matter.

Your role

As Manager, Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing, you will lead complex projects and policy initiatives that contribute to improved outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities.

You will provide strategic advice on complex issues, coordinate reform activities across government, and build strong relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders and partner agencies. Working in a fast-paced environment, you will bring people together, navigate complexity and drive initiatives from design through to implementation.

You will also lead and develop staff, foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture, and ensure high-quality outcomes are delivered within agreed timeframes.

What you’ll do

As part of the Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing (ACSW) Team within Child and Family division, you will be responsible for but not limited to:

• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of complex policy, program and reform initiatives
• Provide strategic, evidence-based advice and recommendations to senior leaders on complex and sensitive issues
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Aboriginal stakeholders, government agencies and community partners
• Coordinate projects and work across multiple stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes
• Identify emerging issues, risks and opportunities and develop practical solutions
• Contribute to system reform initiatives that improve outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities
• Lead, coach and develop staff to achieve priorities and build capability
• Prepare high-quality briefs, reports, correspondence and other strategic documents
• Support effective governance, planning and reporting processes

What we’re looking for

We're looking for an experienced and collaborative leader who can work effectively in complex environments, build strong stakeholder relationships and deliver meaningful outcomes.

You will demonstrate:

• Experience leading policy, program or reform initiatives in government or a related environment
• Strong understanding of issues affecting Aboriginal children, families and communities
• Experience engaging and working collaboratively with Aboriginal stakeholders and communities
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and deliver quality outcomes within tight timeframes
• Strong analytical, communication and problem-solving skills
• Experience providing strategic advice to senior executives and decision makers
• The ability to influence, negotiate and build consensus across diverse stakeholder groups
• Experience leading and developing high-performing teams

Essential requirements for the Identified role

As one of the roles are Identified, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons. Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

• Tertiary qualifications relevant to the role and/or equivalent experience 
• Undertake relevant pre-employment checks such as Working with Children Check, Criminal Record Check, and Conduct Service Check
• Demonstrated cultural capability, which includes lived experience, knowledge and understanding of contemporary social issues affecting Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people, including skills in identifying and/or responding to the diverse needs of Aboriginal people experiencing significant trauma and disadvantage.
• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal communities and organisations to influence positive outcomes for Aboriginal child, young people, families and communities.
• Expertise in the NSW child protection and out-of-home care (OOHC) system, with an understanding of the systemic factors contributing to the overrepresentation of Aboriginal children in care.

Download the role description. for the Generalist position.

Download the role description. for the Identified position.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) addressing the following targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

• The Aboriginal Child Safety and Wellbeing team works across government and with Aboriginal communities to influence policy and system reform. Describe an example where you built relationships and influenced stakeholders to achieve a positive outcome. (Maximum 300 words)

Applications close Monday, 2nd November 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the Kylie Hawkins, Executive Officer on 0483 169 391 or at kylie.hawkins@dcj.nsw.gov.au

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Sarah Nguyen on 02 9765 5046 or via thikimyen.nguyen@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Your recruitment journey on the DCJ website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.