About Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT)

Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory (AHNT) Aboriginal Corporation incorporated in 2019 as the Northern Territory's (NT) first 100 per cent Aboriginal-controlled peak body advocating for Aboriginal-controlled housing. We have a membership of 19 strong Aboriginal-controlled organisations that provide housing and related services in town camps, remote communities and homelands. We work closely with our partners in the four NT land councils, the NT Government and Australian Government. We are the Territory’s leading voice on Aboriginal housing and homelands policy, sector strengthening and community control. We are governed by a board of 16 Aboriginal directors, all of whom are elders, traditional owners and community leaders.

Our vision is Aboriginal housing in Aboriginal hands. We advocate for more housing across the Northern Territory and especially, housing that is appropriate for culture and to changing climate.

AHNT is a member of the Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT Alliance (APONT) and the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA). AHNT is also an important member of the Joint Steering Committee for Remote Housing in the Northern Territory (JSC-RHNT), the national Coalition of Peaks and the Northern Territory Executive Council on Aboriginal Affairs (NTECAA). We have a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with NT Shelter and Menzies School of Health Research enabling us to develop evidence-based policy on key housing issues.

About the role

We are looking for 2x Engagement Officers (one in Garramilla and one in Mparntwe) to work closely with Aboriginal community-controlled housing organisations, homelands service providers, AHNT member organisations, NT land councils and the Australian and Northern Territory governments, to meet with and hear first-hand stories from organisations and residents alike around all housing-related matters. Engagement Officers gather stories, photos and data which can be used to inform strategies to build capacity across the Aboriginal-controlled housing sector and improve housing outcomes. AHNT Engagement Officers meet and talk with stakeholders to inform the Sector of critical funding, program and policy advice.

Engagement Officers play a vital role in identifying and developing local responses to strengthen Aboriginal housing organisations and improve service delivery across town camps, remote communities and homelands.

PLEASE NOTE: this position is ONLY open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.

Key duties and responsibilities

As an Engagement Officer you will:

frequently travel remotely by 4WD and plane to visit AHNT member organisations - and other housing and service providers, land councils and governments to gather on-the-ground stories and data to map the existing state of the sector and enable tracking of improvements where investments are being made

build a shared understanding of the housing system - and what organisations and residents need to strengthen the sector and drive improved housing outcomes for Aboriginal people

develop and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders – and build trust across the Sector to encourage questions and thinking around the housing system and acknowledge and understand the unique challenges faced by individual organisations

Deliver meaningful engagement, monitor projects and resolve challenges to ensure projects proceed in accordance with AHNT’s strategic objectives and any requirements of our funding partners.

Selection criteria

Essential

Knowledge, experience and understanding of the Aboriginal-controlled housing sector in urban areas, town camps, remote communities and homelands.

Initiative, motivation and determination to support the Aboriginal-controlled housing sector to strengthen and improve housing outcomes for Aboriginal people.

Demonstrated ability to develop rapport, build trust, negotiate, and de-escalate conflict in relationships with diverse stakeholders with different priorities.

Organisational skills and the capacity to work autonomously, manage competing priorities, assess and mitigate risks, solve problems, use Microsoft office suite and other technologies.

Highly collaborative, positive and can-do attitude to work, including an open and supportive approach, and determination to create and store records that are accurate and useful.

Well-developed oral and written communication skills for different contexts, including report-writing and talking with Aboriginal people for whom English isn’t the primary language.

Ability to remain calm and focused in a complex policy landscape and in the face of challenging circumstances.

Valid NT Driver's Licence

Working with Children Check (Ochre Card) or the ability to obtain one

National Police Check

Desirable

Experience working in an Aboriginal-controlled organisation and/or a remote community and/or the NT or Australian government or a land council

Relevant tertiary qualification

Knowledge of local Aboriginal languages would be highly regarded