About Us

The Indigenous Desert Alliance (IDA) is an Indigenous-led, member-based organisation that plays a vital role in keeping the desert connected and strengthening desert ranger programs. The IDA works with its members and partners to ensure that Indigenous rangers are enabled to collaboratively manage the Australian desert and empowered to realise their aspirations for community, culture, and Country.

We work with over 65 ranger groups from across the desert to support in our role ‘Keeping the Desert Connected’ to empower a united voice for the desert.

The Indigenous Land Management sector includes Traditional Owners, Indigenous Rangers and their land management organisations who undertake a wide range of cultural, environmental, and natural resource management activities. In Australia’s desert regions, which includes 22 Indigenous Protected Areas, these activities may include:

• cultural and ecological knowledge transfer initiatives
• fire management
• cultural site and heritage management
• feral animal and weed control
• threatened species monitoring and recovery projects
• fee for service economic activities 

About the role

Working closely with the Manager Sector Development, the Senior Project Coordinator will help guide the development and growth of Sector Development ILM projects in the desert.  This exciting opportunity will proactively work with Traditional Owners, rangers and industry bodies in the desert to develop and implement creative and practical solutions enabling growth in the sector. They will work to ensure that these initiatives are Indigenous-led and aligned with the priorities of Traditional Owners.

The successful applicant will also be required to provide direct supervision to members of the Sector Development team, providing support and direction to ensure sector development activities are aligned to IDA’s strategy.

The Senior Project Coordinator will:

• guide the development and growth and delivery of Indigenous land management sector development projects in the desert
• oversee and provide project management for key Sector Development strategic projects . Eg the IDA internship program
• co-design, develop, deliver, evaluate and ensure strong governance of Indigenous-led sector development projects
• support the Sector Development Manager and the IDA staff to ensure a sector-wide approach is understood and adopted in project development and delivery
• participate as a member of the IDA team.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• a high level of respect for Indigenous people and culture
• experience in ILM sector with a growth mindset and an understanding of the strategic growth of the sector.
• experience in strategy with ranger teams, PBCs and corporations in a Native Title context
• previous management experience, preferably managing staff in remote settings
• the capacity to communicate complex ideas to a cross-cultural audience
• high level organisational and administrative skills and the ability to deliver presentations and workshops.
• be willing and able to undertake field work in extremely remote desert regions spending extended periods of time camping and in remote communities.

The position requires a strong commitment to working collaboratively with Indigenous people and community-based organisations. To do so, ideally you would have:

• an understanding of the challenges faced by organisations operating in a remote community
• an understanding of the social, cultural, and economic context of remote Indigenous communities.

The role will be based in Alice Springs, Adelaide, Perth or another agreed regional town and the successful applicant will be required to undertake periods of remote travel into the desert.

What we offer

• an opportunity to join a successful national for-purpose organisation that is having a significant positive impact across the deserts of Australia
• a unique and rewarding opportunity to work with Aboriginal communities looking after their Country
• competitive remuneration package and excellent conditions and salary packaging opportunities
• a dynamic culture of dedicated, passionate, and professional team members
• additional paid leave during Christmas/New Year shut down period
• comprehensive wellbeing support, through an active care approach with medical advice, safety support and mental health care for employees and their families.