Our client based in the Canberra is looking for an experienced First Nations AOD Team Leader to join their team aimed at supporting vulnerable homeless, or at-risk young people and their families to connect them to housing, their family, education, employment and their community.

About the Role

Our Client is seeking an experienced and motivated Team Leader – Drug, Alcohol and Mental Health to provide strong leadership and guidance to a dedicated team supporting First Nations children, young people, families, and community members across Canberra.
The Team Leader is responsible for the effective operation of front-line service delivery within the Drug, Alcohol, and Mental Health Program, as well as contributing to broader organisational services. The role focuses on leading and supporting staff, ensuring high-quality and culturally safe practice, and driving service improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire a team of case workers, providing supervision, debriefing, and professional development.
• Oversee all aspects of client service delivery, including intake, assessment, case management, and service linkages.
• Ensure services are culturally safe, community-driven, and responsive to the needs of First Nations families.
• Build strong relationships with clients, community, and stakeholders while advocating for improved access to services.
• Monitor program performance, track outcomes, and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Represent the service at forums, networks, and inter-agency meetings.

Selection Criteria(please provide a written response to each of the following):

1. Proven ability to communicate effectively with First Nations peoples, with a strong knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values, and perspectives.
2. Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage clients, colleagues, and a broad range of stakeholders including government and statutory bodies.
3. Sound knowledge of theoretical and practice frameworks relevant to drug and alcohol treatment, mental health support, and trauma-informed care.
4. Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to motivate and inspire staff, foster collaboration, and build high-performing, outcome-focused teams.
5. Knowledge of the child protection system, with experience collaborating effectively to support positive outcomes for children, young people, and families.
6. Strong IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office and experience with database systems for accurate information management and reporting.

Essential Requirements

• Current driver’s licence
• Current First Aid Certificate (Level 1 or 2).
• Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Check.
• Police background check
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a First Nations NGO or government service.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience supervising staff with a sound knowledge of case management.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in leadership and management, human resources, or equivalent experience.

What Our Client Offer's

• A role with purpose, supporting First Nations communities in culturally safe and meaningful ways.
• Opportunities for leadership, professional growth, and continuous learning.
• A supportive workplace committed to collaboration, cultural respect, and positive outcomes.

This position is Aboriginal identified. To perform this role, it is essential that the person who holds the role be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 that applicants are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders.

Why partner with abrs to secure your next role?

Our values aren’t just things we believe in. They’re our entire foundation.
They’re the very reason we exist, and the reason we’ve returned every single cent of profit we’ve earned to charity.

Abrs is Australia’s only charity owned not for profit recruitment agency with 100% of our net revenue returned to fund programs that assist children, youth and families.
When you engage with abrs to secure your next career move you are participating in an ethical recruitment process that funds programs in the charity space.
Choosing abrs means you are helping us to help some of the most disadvantaged in our communities.

To apply hit APPLY NOW as we will be shortlisting for this position soon.
For a confidential discussion OR to find out more about the role please call Emma McCaffrey on 0434 835 314

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