ABOUT THE ROLE

The Balanggarra IPA Coordinator will take a lead role in ensuring Balanggarra Rangers and traditional owners achieve outcomes with regard to the Indigenous Ranger Program (IRP) & Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA) programs, and applying your mentoring skills to empower Traditional Owners in all Land and Sea management related issues. You will work closely with the KLC Ranger Coordinator, BVL Ranger Coordinator, BVL Program Officers, and other staff in delivering on Healthy Country targets. You will be reporting to and receive guidance from the KLC East Kimberley Program Manager and Balanggarra’s Healthy Country Advisory Committee.

We are looking for a dynamic individual with proven skills capacity in Indigenous engagement, people management, land and sea cultural and natural resource management, project management, administration, fundraising, and business management. You should be a natural leader who can build bridges of common understanding on often conflicting issues. You should be able to work independently whilst assuring proper consultation is maintained with the Balanggarra people. This role represents a challenge, something to rise to, something incredibly meaningful to contribute to and something to yarn about over cuppas for years to come.

The position operates out of Kununurra or Wyndham KLC office and working across Balanggarra country in Northern Kimberely Western Australia.  

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Duties

• Ensure the Balanggarra IPA is managed by Balanggarra Traditional Owners, through active engagement of the Healthy Country Advisory Group and regular involvement with the PBC, in a manner consistent with customary law and the Balanggarra Healthy Country Plan. This includes convening regular Healthy Country Advisory Group meetings in collaboration with KLC and BVL staff to report back and seek direction, including on broader strategic objectives
• Coordinate the management of the IPA, and in collaboration with HCAC, Ranger Group, KLC staff and traditional owners, and external consultants, support the development of the Balanggarra Healthy Country Plan for the next 10-year period. This includes delivery of workshops, consultations, and contribution to the drafting of the plan. Manage budgets for effective project and program delivery, leveraging assistance from other KLC staff.
• Enhance community ownership, involvement and capacity to support the IPA through pursuit of opportunities to maximise employment, skills development, effective governance, and promotion of IPA values and objectives:
  Engage elders and youth in recording and facilitating the transfer of language, traditional knowledge, customs, and practices.
  Progress development of an IPA Permit system to manage tourism impacts and support development of a tourism strategy.
• In accordance with IRP, IPA, and ARP contractual outcomes, manage existing relationships and facilitate proactive engagement with project partners, including research bodies and NGOs, in order to ensure appropriate management and conservation of the IPA and its unique habitats, fauna and flora.
• Work together with the Ranger Coordinator and Ranger team and support planning and delivery of Indigenous Ranger Program objectives and operational activities, including assistance with events, such as back-to-country trips, fee-for-service opportunities, as well as strategic planning in areas such as visitor and cultural site management.
• Oversee existing commitments and identify new funding streams, grants and partnerships to enhance and promote sustainable outcomes for the IPA in line with Traditional Owner aspirations.
• In accordance with a fire services agreement, support the development of fire management plans and implementation of annual burning works, including mapping and habitat protection, in collaboration with other LSMU staff.
• Work collaboratively with LSMU support staff and Program Manager. Participate and assist in weekly meetings with the Program Manager, Ranger Coordinator, and other staff as needed. Participate in and support KLC and Balanggarra interests in regional events.
•  Comply with KLC policies and procedures
• Undertake other duties as directed by the Unit and Program Managers.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Qualification(s) in Natural Resource Management / Anthropology / Ecology / Social Sciences / Community Development or other relevant field. Extensive practical experience in related fields may be considered
• Experience and confidence working with Aboriginal land/sea managers and communities, and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal people;
• Understanding and knowledge of Aboriginal social and cultural challenges in Northern or Central Australia and willingness to commit to community empowerment, training and development;
• A collaborative attitude with a high degree of integrity and an ability to work well in a team, independently, and with colleagues and partners across the region and country;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to write reports for a range of audiences and to communicate sensitively and effectively with both indigenous and non-indigenous stakeholders;
• Ability to manage a broad range of stakeholders with diverging or conflicting views and interests;
• Experience in project administration and finance management including grant writing and acquittals;
• Practical experience in consensus building and participatory methods of governance
• Current valid driver’s licence (manual);
• Western Australian Working with Children Check (WWC) or ability to obtain one

Desirable 

• Understanding of native title, land tenure, and community governance
• Technical or trade skills relevant to the ranger program (i.e. construction, fire and weed management, GIS, cultural mapping, plant and animal identification, small engine maintenance);
• Experience working with community development in a cross-cultural setting
• Coxswain qualification and experience in Maritime Operations