Are you passionate about working in First Nations social justice? Do you want a career with impact? Join our growing team in the Anthropology and Research Unit, for an intellectually stimulating, professionally engaging, personally rewarding, and lifestyle-accommodating career.

About the Roles:

The NQLC has opportunities available for anthropology and research professionals at graduate, mid and senior career levels, to join the NQLC Anthropology and Research Unit. These are 2 year, fixed term positions based in our Cairns office, although Townsville or another remote location may be considered for the right candidate.

Reporting to the Manager, Anthropology and Research Unit the day-to-day work of the Anthropology and Research team includes:

• conducting anthropological research, and preparation of anthropological reports and supporting documentation to assist the progression of applications for determination of native title under the Native Title Act 1993.
• facilitating community and family group meetings relevant to prospective or ongoing native title matters including alternative dispute resolution processes.
• working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams to effectively engage with native title groups to achieve positive native title outcomes.
• provide anthropological advice on a wide range of native title and associated matters to legal staff and constituents.

About You:

You will have a genuine commitment to achieving real outcomes for First Nations people and support meaningful cross-cultural engagement. Successful applicants will be motivated, solution-oriented team players with excellent analytical abilities, communication and consultation expertise, to deliver the best outcomes for NQLC's constituents.

In addition to this, you will have:

• Degree in Anthropology, or related discipline; and / or experience in a similar industry or role.
• A working knowledge of the NTA and other legislation that impacts the NQLC, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
• Proven ability to undertake complex research and critical analysis, and prepare anthropological reports, associated materials and other documents for various purposes to a high standard.

Just beginning your career? We also offer graduate opportunities.

To see the Position Descriptions for each role, refer to the Careers section on our website at nqlc.com.au/careers.

What the NQLC offering:

In addition to a unique and rewarding position at NQLC, we offer a safe, supportive, and dynamic team environment that fosters professional growth, meaningful collaboration and work with impact. We're committed to providing an excellent work-life balance, with flexible working arrangements that empower you to thrive both personally and professionally.

This role presents a unique opportunity to make a real difference by supporting First Nations communities across the NQLC region, while being part of a workplace that values cultural respect, inclusion, and genuine teamwork.

We offer:

• Base salaries plus 15.4% superannuation (and annual CPI increases):
  • $86,234 for graduate (0-2 years) and $93,272 early career anthropologists and researchers (2-5 years).
  • $109,113 for experienced anthropologists and professional researchers (5-10 years).
  • $132,558 for senior anthropologists (10+ years).
• Salary Sacrifice up to $15,900 per annum.

Other Enterprise Agreement benefits:

• 4 weeks annual leave, 18.5% leave loading, 20 days personal leave.
• Paid Christmas close down and additional paid office closures on Mabo Day and NAIDOC Day.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Healthy Employees Program.

About NQLC:

North Queensland Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (NQLC) is the Native Title Representative Body (NTRB) delivering native title services in North Queensland. NQLC is run by a First Nations board of directors, representing several native title groups from across the NQLC's region, each of whom have their own language, culture, traditions and protocols.

NQLC's region spans an extraordinary diversity of landscapes and cultures - from the marine world heritage Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics and the Central Queensland Coast and to the Whitsunday Archipelago and beyond. The region stretches inland across the Einasleigh and Desert Uplands, Mitchell Grass Downs, and the vast Savannah Gulf Plains. The NQLC region encompasses the traditional country of more than forty distinct native title groups.

NQLC services include advising on and conducting native title claims from initial research to determination; mediation and dispute resolution; support for registered native title claimants and prescribed bodies corporate (PBCs) seeking assistance with future act matters including mining and exploration and other infrastructure projects; advice and assistance on cultural heritage management; negotiation and drafting of Indigenous land use agreements including logistical and other support during negotiations and in agreement implementation; and support for PBCs to strengthen and consolidate administrative and management practices.

Our offices are in Cairns and Townsville, both vibrant regional cities in tropical North Queensland and gateways to the lush tablelands and inland tropical savannah and iconic World Heritage sites like the Great Barrier Reef and Wet Tropics Rainforest. Both cities are well-connected, with international airports and daily flights to major capital cities.

Our Mission:

Our mission is to ensure that the native title rights and interests of every traditional owner within their region is legally recognised, and for Aboriginal people to benefit culturally, socially and economically from the secure possession of their traditional land and waters.