About Children's Ground

Children’s Ground is a First Nations organisation. The Children’s Ground Approach is designed and delivered through the leadership of First Nations people. We are committed to systems change to ensure dignity, justice and equity for all children and families. Our work focuses on national reform as well as evidencing a new way of working.

The Children’s Ground Approach is a whole of community, whole of life approach. We privilege First Nations knowledge systems and practice. Over the course of a generation, led by local expertise, we create and deliver an integrated system that is centred on learning, development and wellbeing that responds to the child and their family through the key transition points from pre-birth to young adulthood.

Our approach recognises the cultural, social, and economic strength of our communities. We build on this over a generation to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren that gives them freedom, opportunity and rights to their culture and identity.

Children’s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, with support provided by a Melbourne-based Shared Services team.

About you

You are a dynamic leader with strong community engagement skills, a deep understanding of cultural and social sustainability, and the ability to coordinate programs that foster long-term positive impact.

About the role

The Placemaking and Skills Coordinator plays a key role in fostering vibrant, culturally responsive community spaces while supporting skills development and capacity building.

This role is responsible for overseeing community placemaking, workforce skills development, and the management of infrastructure to enhance community participation, economic opportunities, and cultural sustainability across five Top End communities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Community-led placemaking and respect for local cultural knowledge and life

• Work collaboratively with local communities to co-design and implement placemaking initiatives that reflect cultural knowledge and community priorities.
• Develop and implement site improvement plans, including landscaping, seating, signage, and other infrastructure to enhance public spaces.

2. Community Capacity Building & Mentorship

• Support the development of leadership and capacity within the community, particularly for young people and emerging leaders, to ensure the long-term sustainability of governance and planning structures.
• Facilitate opportunities for local employment, training, and skill development, ensuring that community members are central to program delivery and decision-making.
• Mentor community staff to develop skills that contribute to community.

3. Place keeping

• Oversee the maintenance and functionality of Children’s Ground communal and community spaces for place keeping ensuring they are safe, well-maintained, and meet the needs of programs and events.
• Coordinate contractors and internal teams to deliver infrastructure improvements on time and within budget.
• Maintain a detailed inventory of organisational assets, relating to buildings, fittings, furnishings and grounds.
• Plan, monitor, and manage the community placemaking budget.

4. Fleet Management (shared responsibility with Operations team)

• Monitor fleet performance and ensure all vehicles are maintained and roadworthy.
• Maintain a database of vehicle use, maintenance schedules, and fuel consumption.
• Oversee the implementation and management of a GPS tracking system for the fleet.
• Contribute advice and assist with the facilitation of driver training.

5. Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with local organisations, First Nations leaders, government agencies, and funding partners.
• Advocate for community priorities and ensure alignment between placemaking initiatives and stakeholder interests.
• Secure funding and resources by identifying grant opportunities and supporting proposal development.

6. Team Management & Leadership

• Provide guidance, supervision, and mentorship to placemaking team members, ensuring they are equipped with the skills and resources to succeed in their roles.
• Foster a supportive and inclusive team environment that encourages innovation, accountability, and continuous learning.

7. Workplace Health and Safety (WHS)

• Oversee placemaking activities ensuring compliance and best practice with all WHS regulations, policies, and procedures, including staff training requirements.
• Contribute to the Top End WHS committee.

8. Operational systems and standards

• Ensure documentation, policies, procedures, systems and standards are in place with clear compliance to meet the regulatory and other needs of Children’s Ground.
• Ensure review and monitoring of standards on a regular basis.

9. Evaluation, monitoring and data systems management

• Ensure data and information is being entered into approved Children’s Ground systems to meet monitoring and evaluation needs.

10. Contribute to Children’s Ground

• Be a positive, innovative and active member of the Children’s Ground Central Australia Region team.
• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and team planning session
• Contribute to strategic planning, organisational development, management work plans & policy formation.
• Support a strong, connected, respectful and supportive organisation.
• Participate in professional development programs offered by Children’s Ground.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

1. Experience with First Nation communities and a deep understanding of the key challenges facing First Nation Peoples, and the strengths of First Nations Peoples; and demonstrated cultural competency or experience in culturally safe practices, especially in educational settings.
2. Strong relationship and networking skills with the ability to collaborate with diverse communities, stakeholders, and local governments to co-design and activate spaces.
3. Experience in leading and managing a diverse team and delivering training and skills development for individuals and groups.
4. Relevant Degree/qualification or substantial equivalent work experience in areas such as project management, skills development and training, community development.
5. Understanding of placemaking principles and experience in delivering public space projects or community-led initiatives.
6. Experience planning, implementing, and overseeing placemaking or similar projects, including budgeting and resource management.
7. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbally and written.
8. Strong people management skills and a collaborative worker – teamwork, facilitation, supervision, liaison.
9. Have a current full class Drivers Licence (manual) (L-R or M-R endorsement preferred)
10. Hold a valid Working with Children Check and National Police Clearance, or willingness to obtain.

Desirable

1. Experience working in remote First Nations communities.
2. Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a demanding NGO environment.
3. Ability to develop innovative ideas for enhancing public spaces while aligning with community needs and strategic goals.

Children’s Ground is committed to a workforce that reflects the communities we work with. In line with our workforce strategy, we warmly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to apply.

The pay range for this role is:
107,717 - 110,098 AUD per year(AU)

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