Cultural Heritage and Data Manager

We have an exciting opportunity to work with Ngarinyin People and support the management of the spectacular natural and cultural values of Wilinggin Country in the remote central north Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Role is based in Derby WA, and relocation support will be provided to the successful candidate.  

ABOUT THE ROLE: 
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the Cultural Heritage and Data Manager (CHDM) will work closely with our traditional owners across Wilinggin Country. The CHDM will work across our Wilinggin offices at Derby, Wyndham and Gibb River Station and Wilinggin Country. Ngarinyin traditional owners maintain a strong connection to Country and continue to care for it with the vision to look after both the natural and cultural values of this country in alignment with Wilinggin’s Healthy Country Plan, supported by the operation of Sustainable business.  
  
ABOUT THE CORPORATION: 
WAC was established in 2006 and is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of Ngarinyin Traditional Owners with the broad objective to further the interests of Ngarinyin People and Wilinggin Country. WAC represents the Traditional Owners of the Wanjina Wunggurr Wilinggin Native Title Area and is a related organisation and agent of our Wanjina Wunggurr Prescribed Body Corporate.  

Wilinggin country covers approximately 63,000km2 (6.3 million hectares) of land in the Central North Kimberley region of Northern Australia and is the country that has been home to Ngarinyin people for many thousands of years. WAC has a workforce of 30 to 35 people who are tasked to take care of country, culture and heritage and bush fire management. 

WAC is a not-for-profit organisation that has, in the last five years, grown from three staff and a turnover of $500k to some 25 staff and a turnover of some $10m, based on a strong focus on high-integrity operations and alignment with our cultural and environmental obligations. 
 
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: 
You will be a team leader, responsible for coordinating multiple projects, staff and consultants. You will walk in two worlds, leading both external stakeholder liaison and project management, as well as on-ground community consultation, working closely with Traditional Owners to ensure strong cultural oversight, empowerment and capacity building. A passion and flair for culture, arts and language, and experience working with Aboriginal people in a remote context is a must. 

Ideally, you will have experience working alongside Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Corporations particularly regarding land and cultural heritage management. You will be an effective communicator possessing the ability to liase with a broad range of stakeholders and communicate in a way that is informative, meaningful and contextually appropriate for the audience. Our ideal candidate likes to work and live remotely, with practical bush skills and natural excitement to see and explore Wilinggin country.  
 
ROLE DUTIES WILL INCLUDE: 

• Ensure all Wilinggin cultural information work is undertaken in a manner consistent with 
• customary law, the Wilinggin HCP, the Healthy Country Advisory Committee (HCAC) and 
• senior cultural advisors 
• Maintain the Wilinggin cultural heritage management framework as developed with UWA 
• Maintain and manage the Wilinggin cultural information data base 
• Maintain and manage the Wilinggin cultural site recording and maintenance program 
• Maintain and manage the Wilinggin cultural information repatriation program 
• Develop and manage any Wilinggin cultural site research 
• Manage Wilinggin Partnerships 
• Develop policies, procedures and protocols for cultural site data, management and research 
• Produce associated annual work plans and budgets 
• Manage associated grants, budgets, progress assessments, reporting and acquittals 
• Assist in developing funding streams, grants and partnerships to support this program 
• Comply with WAC policies and procedures. 

SELECTION CRITERIA: 
Please note that it is essential your application addresses each of the selection criteria by providing information about your qualifications, experience and skills as they relate to each one.  
 
Essential 

1. Demonstrated experience in cultural data management. 
2. Demonstrated experience in cultural site management and the ability to manage associated remote field trips 
3. Demonstrated understanding of and ability to manage cultural site research programs 
4. Demonstrated experience and skill working with small aboriginal corporations and communities, specifically knowledge of aboriginal social and cultural challenges in Northern Australia, with a commitment to empowerment, development, consensus building and participatory methods of engagement. 
5. Demonstrated experience and proficiency in grant, project and finance management including progress assessments, compliance, acquittals and reporting.  
6. Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability communicate sensitively and effectively with too a wide range of stakeholders. 
7. Demonstrated understanding, proactive engagement and development of a safe working environment 
8. Qualifications in data and cultural site management or related fields 
9. Hold or will obtain a current valid driver's licence, working with vulnerable people check and WA government compliant vaccination status 

Desirable 

1. Experience working remotely and leading remote field trips 
2. Experience with community development in a cross-cultural setting 
3. Proficient in remote four-wheel drive operation and remote first aid 

HOW TO APPLY: 
We request candidates to apply directly to seek by providing the following: 

1. Cover letter, addressing the selection criteria 
2. Current CV/Resume  

Further Information 
For more information about the role please contact Human Resources by email on wilingginhr@wcasolutions.com or call (08) 9383 3293  
  
Role is Based in DERBY WA 6728, relocation support provided. 
Wilinggin Aboriginal Corporation will accept applications until the position is filled, and the vacancy may close without notice. 

Full Australian Working Rights are a requirement for this role.