First Nations Organiser

The Australian Education Union represents members working in Public Education in Victoria.

The union has a 0.8-time fraction ongoing position for a First Nations Organiser to work in the Recruitment Training and Campaigning unit (RTC) in the Melbourne office.

The role of the RTC is to build AEU workplace strength by increasing membership levels and developing activism and involvement in the union.

The First Nations Organiser role is one of two created to support the implementation of key recommendations from the AEU First Nations Members Forum.  The First Nations Organisers are active in the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members in the union, facilitating the meetings of the First Nations Member Committee, and advocate about issues which affect First Nations members and students. 

The First Nations Organiser will work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members from all sectors of public education.  Central to the role is to build a network of First Nations members, to identify and develop activists, build union structures, recruit new members, and encourage involvement in union campaigns in order to implement the goals of the AEU articulated through the organisation’s Strategic Vision. They will also work across educational, professional, industrial, and political matters to promote the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in public education in all areas of Victoria.

The employment of the Organiser is up to a maximum of 0.8TE for this position.  The actual time fraction of a successful applicant will be determined in consultation with the applicant through the interview and appointment process. 

If a successful applicant is an employee of the Victorian Department of Education and Training, it is possible to apply for leave without pay and/or a temporary time fraction reduction to maintain their current employment.  Similar arrangements may be available in other workplaces, including TAFEs and kindergartens.  The union can assist a successful applicant to make such arrangements if needed.

The AEU offers flexible working arrangements and will discuss with applicants working arrangements that are suitable to them and the union.  This may include working remotely for part of the job.  The Organiser role will require engagement with First Nations members across Victoria, with the allocation of work to be discussed with applicants upon appointment.

In line with special measure provisions in Section 12 of the Victorian Equal Opportunity Act (2010) the AEU will only be accepting applications for these positions from people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Applicants may choose to apply for the position in writing in a way that meets their needs. This extends to providing applicants with support to ensure there is an ability to understand and respond to the selection criteria. Applicants may choose to respond to each selection criteria separately or through a single statement which outlines how they meet the criteria.

The selection panel will include Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, with applicants able to discuss with the support person at the union the interview arrangements, including if the applicant wishes to attend the interview with an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person of their choice.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Understanding of the issues that impact on the union’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members.

• Demonstrated experience in working with First Nations peoples to build relationships and connections.
• Ability to show initiative and demonstrate high level organisational skills including being able to work to deadlines, prioritise work, and manage multiple matters concurrently.
• Ability to build and maintain effective professional relationships with key stakeholders including working as part of a team.
• Sound verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including:
  • the ability to communicate with a diverse audience
  • the ability to communicate complex matters clearly, objectively, and calmly
  • the ability to organise and recruit over the phone and in person
  • the ability to write clear, accurate and concise documents.
• Commitment to unionism.
• Understanding of and commitment to public education. Current Victorian Drivers Licence is desirable. Further support in obtaining this would be available

Remuneration:

Annual salary of $129,406 (full time). A car (inclusive of running costs), mobile telephone, and laptop device are also provided.

Enquiries:

A Position Description is available on our website www.aeuvic.asn.au/about-us/work-us. Questions about this vacancy can be directed to Alinta Williams at [email protected] or Shannon Bourke at [email protected] using the subject line: First Nations Organiser enquiry via EthicalJobs.