Would you love the opportunity to work and live in remote desert regions on Martu country? Are you able to demonstrate a commitment to working with a community development focus in a cross-cultural environment? A not-for-profit, benevolent organisation is looking for a Women and Families Program Coordinator to support Martu families in raising their children in Martu ways, through fostering strong identity, a deep sense of connection to the land and a basis for growing into their responsibilities as Martu members of society.

The Women and Families Program is for Martu families and communities to realise their aspirations for each generation of children to learn, grow and develop into confident Martu adults, who contribute to Martu society and have agency over their collective cultural, social and economic futures. Martu want their children to grow up strong and healthy, and to acquire and maintain knowledge in both mainstream and Martu worlds. The program supports families across five domains: Martu culture, early years education, Martu employment, Martu leadership and health.

The program is part of a long-term strategy of building Two-Way learning at all ages from infancy, through preschool and all levels of schooling and to young adulthood. You will plan and conduct early childhood activities, both on and off Country. You will empower Martu individuals, especially caregivers, to take the lead in developing and delivering the program. You will work in partnership with a range of organisational programs as well as schools, health and other social services to provide support to caregivers and children in accessing necessary care, information, and services when needed.

Located on remote Martu lands, the area has significant conservation values globally, nationally and locally. They are part of the most intact arid ecosystem anywhere in the world and provide one of the last wild havens for some of Australia’s iconic but highly threatened desert species, including the mankarr (greater bilby), the wiminyji (northern quoll) and the mulyamiji (great desert skink). The cultural and conservation values of Martu country are intertwined and rely on each other. The landscape, water sources, habitats, fauna and flora of this country together comprise a cultural landscape in which Martu identity, beliefs, creation stories, sacred sites, cultural practices and traditional livelihoods are embedded.

This is a full-time permanent position, beginning 2025

“It’s good for the kids to learn their waterholes. We went out, and we saw a kalaru stone and our elder showed us a place and told us the Dreamtime story. We do this so the kids can learn. One day, these kids might know the stories. They might go hunting there. They will go there with their own families.” - Martu parent

Objectives Of The Role

Support Martu families to raise their children in Martu ways, so that they are strong in their identity, have a deep sense of belonging On Country and a basis for growing into their responsibilities as Martu members of society
Planning and conducting trips On Country and facilitating early childhood activities
Empowering Martu, and in particular caregivers, to lead the program’s delivery and development
Supporting caregivers and children to access relevant care, information and services as required

Specific Functions:

To effectively fulfil this role the Women and Families Program Coordinator will be expected to

Undertake The Following Specific Duties

Work with Martu caregivers, children aged 0-5 and their families to deliver all aspects of the Women and Families Program
Organise the planning and delivery of the early childhood program with a primary focus on teaching, learning and retaining Martu culture and knowledge, and assist in the transition to school
Encourage and empower Martu caregivers with access to leadership and governance training, as well as maternal and child health education and services
Facilitate and support activities to be delivered in Community such as playgroups, or through on and off-Country trips and activities
Provide mentoring, support and up-skilling for Martu seeking employment within the program
Maintain high standards of work and seek to develop the skills of Martu caregivers
Develop strong professional relationships with Martu individuals, communities and external stakeholders with a community development focus
Support the organisation’s vision and culture, and collaborate with other programs as required
Other duties as directed

Benefits

The Organisation Will Provide The Following Benefits

Salary $88,046
Fully furnished accommodation
8 weeks annual leave and a monthly RDO
Ability to salary sacrifice
Relocation costs up to $3,000
Up to 4 annual flights to and from Perth
Internet provided and assistance with phone
Work laptop provided
Use of vehicle for work programs

Footprint Placements will provide benefits to assist you in your transition to remote life including,

Trauma Responsive Practice in Education with the Australian Childhood Foundation
Cultural Competency training with the Stronger Smarter Institute (one term+ contracts)
First aid certification (6 month+ contracts)

What You Need to Succeed!

Demonstrated experience or ability to work with Martu caregivers and young children
Experience in developing programs in the community sector
Commitment to working with a community development focus in a cross-cultural environment
Willingness to understand and work with Martu culture, aspirations, and values
Good oral and written communication skills with the ability to work effectively with a diverse range of staff and stakeholders
Good organisational skills including the ability to keep records and provide reports to meet funding requirements
Comfortable with living and working remotely in Community and camping On-Country
Competent in the use of Microsoft Office products
Satisfactory National Police Check (to be finalised before the probationary period)
Current WA Working with Children Card (to be finalised before probationary period)
Current WA manual C class driver’s licence (or equivalent in other Australian jurisdictions)

Desirable

Qualifications or demonstrated experience working in early childhood (particularly with Aboriginal people), community development or services sector
Experience in working with Martu or other Aboriginal people from the arid zones
Four-wheel drive experience or a willingness to develop those skills

How to Apply! Interested? We would love you to provide a CV with a LinkedIn profile (if you possess) and apply via our website, www.footprintplacements.com.au. Do you have a question? Email hello@footprintplacements.com.au. Looking forward to receiving your resume!

Candidates must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident or a New Zealand citizen, or hold a valid visa with permission to work.

Footprint Placements

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