Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Connector

• Permanent Part Time Contract = 4 days a week for real work/life balance
• Location: Gumbaynggirr (Coffs Harbour) NSW 2450
• Salary: $72,150 + super + NFP salary packaging benefits
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all.

Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

This is a meaningful opportunity to play a vital role in strengthening culturally safe and responsive service delivery for First Nations people across Mission Australia’s housing and community programs in Coffs Harbour. Operating from our Mission Australia Centre in Coffs Harbour, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Connector brings cultural authority, guidance and support to staff, leaders and community by connecting local knowledge, lived experience and community realities with service design and decision making.

Based in Coffs Harbour, this role works closely with leadership and frontline teams to ensure services are respectful, safe and grounded in local cultural understanding, while maintaining strong relationships with Elders, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal community controlled organisations. This is an on site position, supporting both staff and community through cultural advocacy, mentoring and advice rather than direct case management.

As a trusted presence, you will help shape how services are delivered by embedding First Nations voices, values and strengths into everyday practice. You will also provide guidance on culturally appropriate referral pathways, respond to emerging community matters such as Sorry Business, and support teams to deliver services that reflect community needs and priorities. This is a highly visible and impactful role that contributes to stronger relationships, improved outcomes, and culturally informed leadership across the region.

This is an identified position under section 14(D) of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 and all applicants must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Australians. Being an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is a genuine occupational qualification

Your Key Responsibilities:

• Provide cultural authority, guidance and advice to staff and leadership to strengthen culturally safe service delivery.
• Support the design and implementation of culturally responsive programs, practices and referral pathways.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Elders, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
• Advocate for the needs and perspectives of First Nations people across services, partnerships and forums.
• Identify emerging community issues and provide cultural guidance to teams, including during sensitive periods such as sorry business.
• Contribute to staff cultural capability by sharing knowledge, mentoring and supporting learning across teams.
• Support community engagement, consultation and partnership development to ensure services reflect local needs and priorities.

Requirements for Success

• This is an identified position. Candidates must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander (an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW).
• Recognised cultural authority within the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, with strong networks and credibility.
• Demonstrated experience working with First Nations communities in community development, engagement or advisory roles.
• Strong ability to build trusted relationships and navigate complex cultural considerations with confidence and respect.
• Capability to influence, guide and support staff through culturally informed advice and difficult conversations when required.
• Sound understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, systems, and contemporary issues impacting communities.
• Relevant qualifications in community services or related field, or equivalent experience, with experience highly regarded over formal qualifications.
• Strong communication, facilitation and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work across multiple locations and teams effectively.
• First Aid certificate is desired but not required.
• Full driver licence with no restrictions.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your Benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

• Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at Deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

How to apply

Click ‘Apply’ and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications for this role are shortlisted as received and we are interviewing through the advertising period. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.