Senior Engagement Officer, Indigenous Electoral Participation Program

About the Team

As a team member of the Australian Electoral Commission’s (AEC’s) Indigenous Electoral Participation Program, you will work with colleagues and community-level partners to identify and respond to barriers to First Nations electoral participation. Our staff contribute in different ways, and your knowledge and expertise will help the AEC make Australian elections more accessible for First Nations people.

You will use evidence and best practice to create and maintain key resources, support legislative change, and uphold the AEC’s commitment to continuous improvement. Additionally, you will play a key role in the Branch Leadership Team, helping to maintain a strong strategic focus, foster a proactive and inquisitive culture, and champion service design and human-centred outcomes.

The Opportunity

This role is an Affirmative Measures position, specifically designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, therefore this vacancy is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the AEC and contribute to work that has a direct impact on Australia's democratic processes.

The role is responsible for delivering business outcomes, including leading engagement with partners to support positive electoral participation outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  You will represent and explain agency positions in a range of forums. The role requires travel, including to remote locations, and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.

To excel you’ll have:

We are seeking a motivated and capable professional who can demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required to perform successfully in this role, including:

• Demonstrated ability to lead through change and deliver outcomes in a complex and evolving environment, including experience in contract management or the ability to quickly acquire and apply contract management skills.
• Demonstrated ability as a strong people leader to effectively manage a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce, supporting performance, capability and development through coaching, guidance, knowledge sharing and constructive feedback, while fostering an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing team culture.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills including the ability to tailor messages and information for a variety of audiences of varying seniority and in a culturally appropriate manner.
• Demonstrated organisational, problem-solving and risk management skills, including the ability to identify issues, develop practical solutions and communicate outcomes effectively.
• Demonstrated experience and ongoing commitment to working harmoniously within a small, geographically dispersed team to achieve positive program results.
• Demonstrated experience managing agreements of varying complexity, including identifying and managing risks, maintaining stakeholder relationships, and completing performance reporting and financial acquittals.

Desirable

• You have relevant qualifications in Indigenous studies or community engagement/education.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, relevant legislation, programs and policies.

Eligibility

• AEC employees must be Australian citizens.
• Any person who is, and seen to be active in political affairs, and intends to publicly carry on this activity, may compromise the strict neutrality of the AEC and cannot be considered.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain a character clearance.
• Applicants are required to consent to, undergo, obtain and maintain the security clearance required for this role.

Contact: Rain Wenitong, [email protected], 0457 068 020

Due Date: Tuesday 27 October 2026, 11:59pm AEDT, 8:59pm AWST