About Our Organisation:

Youth Off The Streets is a not-for-profit youth services organisation that supports 12–24-year-olds experiencing or at risk of homelessness and complex disadvantage.

We walk alongside each young person as we seek to understand their needs and goals, and we offer the safety, support and education that helps them to realise their potential.

Our Cultural Support team works with all areas of YOTS to ensure the rights and needs of staff, young people and communities from diverse cultural backgrounds are reflected in all of our services and programs.

The Role:

• The First Nations Community Engagement Officer focuses on the provision of cultural advice and support to ensure cultural safety of staff and young people and Youth Off The Streets (YOTS) strategic objectives are met.
• The role will assist with the development of culturally appropriate programs, service design, training, and advocacy to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, communities, and staff.
• The role will work collaboratively with YOTS First Nations team to provide cultural perspective and promote cultural awareness through sharing of cultural knowledge and customs and work directly with operations to develop and deliver culturally relevant activities, programs, and events.
• The role will establish and maintain strong partnerships and networks with the local Aboriginal community, support services, government and funders promoting early intervention activities that will engage youth at risk in positive activities within communities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working with the First Nations Wellbeing Lead, First Nations Team and relevant advisory groups, develop and embed YOTS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other Cultural Framework
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders and Aboriginal community, providing advice to First Nations Leadership team to support decision making that addresses strategic and operational cultural readiness.
• Assist in the development of culturally appropriate programs and service design for young people
• Provide staff with specialist advice and education on the delivery of culturally relevant services for Aboriginal young people and support the development of culturally relevant protocols
• Contribution to the development and implementation of YOTS Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and advise on planning of events including National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week celebrations
• Establish and maintain relationships with Aboriginal community leaders, representatives of community groups and relevant organisations to identify needs and program development
• Ongoing contribution to advocacy efforts of the organisation
• Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of best practice Aboriginal community engagement.
• Maintain a sound understanding of operations of the organisation to identify potential areas for innovative opportunities and to contribute to broader organisation decision making to improve YOTS service delivery and performance.
• Preparing materials, organising, and managing community engagement activities relating to Closing the Gap.

Skills and Abilities:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Enable Youth Off The Streets to provide consistent, culturally responsive support to First Nations youth.
• Strengthen our commitment to inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.
• Empower First Nations youth by offering tailored opportunities and guidance.
• Contribute to the organisation's mission of positive change and the well-being of young people.
• Demonstrated effective interpersonal, verbal and written communication and computer literacy skills.
• Demonstrated experience in the development and delivery of culturally relevant frameworks that inform organisation policy and underpins cultural practice and supports outcomes for Aboriginal young people
• Extensive knowledge and experience working within non-government or community-based organisations
• Demonstrated experience working with multiple business units
• Sound understanding of good project management principles
• Ability to interpret contract requirements and relevant regulatory legislation

Requirements:

Qualification & Experience

• Qualification in a relevant field or equivalent.
• Proof of Aboriginality (This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified position. The applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification for this role and is authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW)
• In-depth understanding of cultural responsiveness, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and best practices.
• Exceptional communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences effectively.
• Proven ability to collaborate seamlessly with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Culturally competent and sensitive.
• Proficient research skills related to cultural responsiveness.

What we can offer you:

• A supportive team environment
• Career progression and development pathways
• EAP for yourself and your family
• Salary packaging up to $15,900
• Rewards and benefits program

To Apply

Please ensure you enclose a copy of your resume with your contact details and cover letter addressing the essential criteria (2 pages maximum).

At Youth Off The Streets, diversity, equity and inclusion are part of our DNA. Together, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the diverse voices of our people. It fuels our innovation and connects us closer to our customers and the communities we serve.

Youth off The Streets is an EEO Employer and a child safe organisation. YOTS is committed to providing a safe environment where all children and young people are treated with respect and are protected from harm. We have zero tolerance for child abuse.

This is a rare opportunity to join a passionate and high profile not for profit organisation that values the current youth of today and the youth of tomorrow.

The successful candidate will be requested to submit applications for a NSW Working With Children Check and Police Check. You will also be required to have a valid Australian Drivers Licence and unrestricted Australian working rights.

We encourage people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander to apply for this position.