The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is looking to fill the role of Co-Director, Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics (EL2).

About the role

We are looking to fill the co-Director role in the Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics, in the Community, Wellbeing and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics Branch. This role is critical in ensuring that the ABS's engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities is effective, respectful, and culturally appropriate, ultimately contributing to informed decision-making. This is your opportunity to play a critical role in ensuring the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander voices are embedded into our data and statistics.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with their co-director counterpart to lead and manage the section.

Responsibilities include:

Leadership and Management

• work with your co-director to lead and manage the Centre of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Statistics
• create a team environment that values diversity and encourages professional growth
• lead teams, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, across various locations
• provide strategic direction to ensure the team's activities align with ABS goals and community needs
• develop long-term plans to improve the quality and relevance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander statistics.

Stakeholder Management

• build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, including through guiding the team’s engagement activities, to boost participation in ABS statistical collections, like the Census of Population and Housing
• ensure accessible and useful data and insights are shared back with communities
• monitor and evaluate engagement activities and adjust strategies as needed.

Internal Advice

• work with internal stakeholders to implement culturally appropriate methods for data collection, management and dissemination, consistent with the APS Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data
• champion the inclusion of cultural perspectives in ABS statistical policies and practices
• provide expert advice to ABS leadership and staff on issues related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander statistics

What we are looking for (selection criteria)

This role is only open to people that identify and are recognised as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, under the Affirmative Measures Guidelines. This is your opportunity to play a critical role in ensuring the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander voice and needs are embedded into our work outputs.

To be suitable you should have most or all of the following:

Skills and Qualities

• Cultural Competence - Deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and contemporary issues. Ability to collaborate with a collective of cultural expertise to improve ABS statistical practice. A commitment to promoting cultural safety and respect in all interactions and processes
• Leadership and management - Ability to lead and manage a diverse, geographically dispersed, team, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander teams, fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment. Strong strategic thinking, influencing and planning skills, with the ability to translate strategy into operational goals, identify risks and issues and influence change
• Stakeholder management – Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and other stakeholders across different sectors
• Communication - Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences in different settings (virtual and face-to-face), including the ability to provide high-level advice and recommendations to senior leadership
• Data capability – Understanding of the importance of data for decision-making, with a willingness and ability to learn more about how data is collected and analysed

Experience

• Extensive experience in engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organisation
• Experience in building and leading multi-site high-performing teams of similar size and managing a work program of comparable complexity.

How to apply

To apply, complete an online application form on the ABS e-recruitment system.

Please upload your current resume. Shortlisting will be based on resume only, so please ensure it highlights your skills, qualities and experience relevant for the role (as outlined above). Maximum resume length - 5 pages.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview and asked to provide referee details.

Applications close at 11:30 p.m. AEDT on Wednesday 19 March 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.