Head of First Nations

The Head of First Nations role is an opportunity for an exceptional First Nations leader to join the First Nations and the broader PRF Team in a senior leadership role. This new role is a unique leadership opportunity to work alongside allies across sectors and communities to contribute to PRFs impact outcome in supporting First Nations peoples and communities to be self-determining.

This leadership role aims to improve PRF’s engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across all aspects of its work. The Head of First Nations will be responsible for influencing change within and outside of the organisation. They will also work closely with the First Nations Advisory Council and will lead the execution of Council’s advice with the support of the Chief First Nations Officer and the broader PRF team.

The Head of First Nations will: be from an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background; will have exceptional skills and experience in the for-purpose sector; the ability to understand and meaningfully engage people from different backgrounds and life experiences; be able to facilitate effective, trusted collaborations; have demonstrated skills to build cultural safety and be driven by social purpose.

The Head of First Nations will be part of the First Nations team, will have at least one direct report and be supported by the entirety of the organisation as part of a matrix approach to supporting proposal development. They will also be an active member of PRF’s Grant Recommendation Committee, providing feedback and alignment across all PRF proposals.

The role will lead the ongoing needs and implementation of PRF’s First Nations engagement approach, directly influence strategic programmatic investments and grants, lead senior First Nations external engagements (with non-profits, government, peer philanthropy, corporates and in the areas of building alliances, leveraging resources and shifting hearts and minds) and help build and foster a culturally safe and inclusive workplace environment for existing and prospective Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work closely with the Chief First Nations Officer, to develop and execute the PRF strategic intent, specifically in our approach to support First Nations peoples and communities to be self-determining.
• Lead a small team, while leveraging the whole of organisations resources, to improve PRF’s engagement with First Nations communities.
• Represent and lead PRF in senior external engagements relating to First Nations people and communities with non-profits, government, peer philanthropy, corporates and communities and in the areas of building alliances, leveraging resources and shifting hearts and minds.
• Lead the PRF team in working alongside, supporting and executing advice from the First Nations Advisory Council and Chair.
• Lead, drive and influence strategic programmatic investments and grants with a First Nations focus.
• Shape First Nations related communications, policy, advocacy and reform at PRF.
• Lead the building and fostering of a culturally safe and inclusive workplace environment for existing and prospective Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander staff.
• Contribute to a transformational improvement in engagement and impact in PRF’s culture, trusted relationships, communications, reputation and profile.
• Produce responsive and timely documentation (board submissions and reporting) in relation to critical areas / proposals / projects.
• Provide exceptional leadership, management, mentoring and coaching within the Team and across the Foundation.
• Provide strategic input across PRF’s other portfolios.
• Act as a delegate for the Chief First Nations Officer where required.