Principal Advisor First Nations Strategy and Engagement

• Strengthen outcomes for First Nations People
• Reporting to the CEO
• Full Time opportunity

About the role

This is a senior First Nations leadership role that involves strong cultural understanding and strategic responsibility with a drive to strengthen outcomes for First Nations learners across TAFE Gippsland.

Working directly with the CEO, the First Nations Strategy and Engagement Principal Advisor works in partnership with community, Elders, Traditional Owners, staff and leadership to ensure First Nations perspectives, priorities and cultural knowledge are embedded across the organisation.

This role is grounded in cultural leadership, accountability to the community, and lived experience. It plays a key role in shaping how TAFE Gippsland engages with community, delivers education, and supports First Nations learners to thrive.

You will identify and lead work that strengthens cultural safety, improves participation and completion outcomes, and ensures First Nations voices are heard in decision-making within the Executive of TAFE Gippsland.

In this role you will:

• Lead and develop organisation wide First Nations strategy, engagement and cultural safety work
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with Elders, Traditional Owners and community organisations
• Provide cultural and strategic advice to the CEO and Executive team
• Identify and lead initiatives that improve enrolment, retention, completion and success for First Nations learners
• Strengthen culturally safe practices across teaching, services, and organisational systems
• Support and guide the Koorie team and broader workforce capability building
• Represent TAFE Gippsland in community, regional and sector forums

This is an Indigenous identified position and only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This position represents a special measure in accordance with s8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth) and s12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

About you

You are a First Nations leader with deep cultural knowledge, strong community connections and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for First Nations learners. Your leadership is grounded in lived experience, cultural understanding and a clear understanding of what supports community require to thrive within education and training systems.

You bring experience working alongside Elders, Traditional Owners and First Nations communities, particularly in regional contexts, and you have demonstrated experience of building trust through respect, listening and long-term relationships. You are comfortable working across both community and senior leadership spaces, ensuring First Nations voices are not only heard but actively shape decisions and direction.

You are confident operating in complex environments and influencing at a senior level, supporting organisations to reflect, adapt and improve. You understand culturally safe practice is not optional, and you actively work to embed it across systems, services and workforce capability.

You have a strong ability to identify barriers that impact participation and success for First Nations learners and work collaboratively to create practical, meaningful solutions. This includes using insight from community, data and lived experience to guide improvement.

In your practice, you:

• Build trust-based relationships across community and organisations
• Provide clear, culturally grounded advice to senior leaders
• Support others to grow cultural capability and understanding
• Maintain accountability to community while working within organisational systems

Above all, you are driven by a commitment to strengthening pathways, opportunities and outcomes for First Nations learners, and ensuring education systems are responsive, respectful and culturally safe.

Employment Details

• $160,000 per annum + Super
• Job Reference No. 2679

For over 95 years, TAFE Gippsland has been at the forefront of vocational education and training, proudly serving the Gippsland community. As the winner of the TAFE Large Training Provider of the Year award in 2023, TAFE Gippsland stands out as a leader in empowering local students and supporting regional businesses. With a commitment to excellence, we offer a diverse range of programs, including pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, accredited short courses, certificates, and diplomas.

Our team of over 500 dedicated staff, spread across 13 campuses, works closely with industry partners to deliver tailored workplace training. This approach not only helps upskill the regional workforce but also drives the success of local businesses, reinforcing our vision of supporting a Skilled and Thriving Gippsland.

How to apply

To apply for this position please visit the TAFE Gippsland website. Applications are to be submitted online and must include;

• a current resume; and
• a cover letter addressing the key requirements of the role (see Job Description)

For specific enquiries relating to this position, please contact Joanne Kingwill, Executive Office Coordinator on 0427 483 394.

For assistance with the online application process, please contact Jemma Kingwill, People & Culture Recruitment Advisor on 03 5120 4517.

Applications close 2.00pm on Wednesday 15 July 2026.

TAFE Gippsland is a Child Safe Organisation and equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and inclusion in our workforce and encourage people from all backgrounds, abilities and identities to apply for our vacancies.

We respectfully acknowledge the Gunaikurnai and Bunurong People, their Elders past, present, and emerging, who are the Traditional Owners of the land on which TAFE Gippsland’s Campuses are located. TAFE Gippsland is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all its students and staff.