About us

Carpentaria Disability Services is a not-for-profit organisation providing disability and therapy services for children, adolescents and adults across the Northern Territory. We have been delivering innovative and flexible services for more than 50 years and are committed to a person-centred philosophy that respects the rights of individuals to make informed choices about their lives.

About the opportunity

This is a unique opportunity to develop a best practice, innovative model of therapeutic service delivery in remote Aboriginal communities across the Top End of the Northern Territoy. Carpentaria Disability and Therapy Services invites Expressions of Interest from experienced Project Managers with Community Development experience to lead an innovative, stand-alone NDIS therapeutic support program that will reshape how disability services are delivered in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community settings.

You will have the unique opportunity to develop a new framework for service delivery through the cultivation of local workforce capacity, genuine community partnerships and a culturally informed clinical model that puts community ownership at its heart.

This isn't just another therapy service – it is a chance to create lasting change by building sustainable, culturally appropriate, community-led services that support long term community development opportunities.

We need a visionary Project Manager who can forge connections between Traditional Owners, community members, local clinicians, and our internal multi-disciplinary team, creating something truly transformative. Success will ultimately be measured by community engagement, participant outcomes, and the development of sustainable local capacity that can continue beyond the contract period - leaving a lasting legacy of empowered communities and a skilled local workforce.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and implementation of an innovative therapeutic service delivery model specifically co-designed with a remote Top End community.
• Develop and maintain quality assurance frameworks and clinical governance protocols, ensuring services meet NDIS standards whilst remaining culturally appropriate and community led.
• Create comprehensive sustainability planning and transition strategies to ensure program continuity and local ownership beyond project completion.
• Establish data collection and evaluation systems to track program effectiveness, participant outcomes and community engagement metrics.
• Design risk assessment and mitigation strategies specific to remote service delivery
• Build and maintain genuine, trust-based relationships with Traditional Owners, Aboriginal Health Services, local government, and key community agencies.
• Maintain regular on-ground presence in the community through strategic positioning to ensure authentic community engagement, culturally informed communication strategies and development of key stakeholder relationships.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Plan with a specific focus on the remote Top End community.
• Work collaboratively with the Therapy Service Manager to develop, schedule and deliver therapy services across key disciplines (Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Psychology).

Selection criteria

• Proven experience managing similar programs in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, specifically in health, community development, or disability services (clinical qualifications not essential but beneficial)
• Exceptional ability to build trust and genuine partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Traditional Owners and local service providers, with demonstrated success in community engagement and relationship building
• Deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols and governance structures, with commitment to maintaining regular on-ground community presence
• Experience with NDIS compliance, reporting requirements, and quality frameworks, including understanding of NDIS pricing and service delivery standards in remote contexts
• Expertise in coordinating person-centred services within the NDIS framework, with a focus on building sustainable, community-supported therapeutic supports through culturally informed clinical models
• Strong stakeholder management skills with experience working collaboratively with health services, regional councils, and community agencies such as schools and childcare centres
• Demonstrated ability to work within complex funding environments and manage multiple stakeholder expectations including government agencies and funding bodies
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing Aboriginal Employment Plans, with proven success in identifying, training, and supporting staff through qualification pathways
• Strong capacity-building and mentoring skills, with demonstrated ability to invest in staff development and create sustainable local workforce capability

How to apply

To express your interest in this exciting opportunity, please submit your resume and a one-page cover letter outlining your skills and experience and why you think you will be a great fit for our team.

For further information about the role including a copy of the role profile please contact Kirrily Freson, Director People & Learning [email protected] or phone 0438 718 423