Position Vacant: First Nations Lead, NEDC

• Join a collaboration of people and organisations with an expertise in eating disorders.
• Be part of the team implementing the National Eating Disorders Strategy.
• Be surrounded by passionate and supportive colleagues.
• Permanent part time / 0.6 – 0.8 FTE
• Based in Sydney or Melbourne, Flexible work arrangements
• Dynamic and innovative role in rewarding NFP.
• Impressive employee benefits, and salary packaging available.                                                                            

NEDC is a national sector collaboration dedicated to developing and implementing a nationally consistent, evidence-based system of care for the prevention and treatment of eating disorders. NEDC is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and administered by The Butterfly Foundation (Butterfly).

NEDC is committed to strengthening our work in walking alongside First Nations communities. NEDC recognises the deep and enduring knowledge about health, healing, connection, and community that First Nations peoples hold. For too long, these knowledges and perspectives have been missing from the national eating disorders field. The creation of the First Nations Lead role marks the beginning of a deliberate and ongoing journey for NEDC — to listen deeply, build meaningful relationships, and embed First Nations wisdoms in all that we do. This role represents our commitment to learning, unlearning, and doing better. It reflects our belief that privileging Indigenous ways of knowing, being, and doing strengthens our work and creates the conditions for trust, collaboration, and genuine systems change.

The First Nations Lead will play a critical role both in providing a voice to inform NEDC’s approaches to improving outcomes for First Nations peoples and in leading key projects and initiatives.

As First Nations Lead, you will be responsible for providing cultural leadership and expertise within the organisation. This role will provide targeted guidance to NEDC projects and activities and will extend NEDC’s national partnerships and policy engagement opportunities, ensuring that NEDC’s work can be informed by the diverse knowledges, strengths, and experiences of First Nations people, communities, and organisations.

Key aspects of this work include:

• Working with colleagues towards embedding First Nations perspectives and strengths across NEDC’s work.
• Building and maintaining respectful partnerships with First Nations stakeholders; and
• Supporting appropriate use of First Nations–led, evidence-based tools, resources and approaches within NEDC.

This is a newly created role. The successful candidate will be supported by the NEDC National Director to shape the role to respond to the priorities of First Nations communities, as well as to align with their personal professional development goals. Ongoing cultural supervision can be provided by an independent supervisor / cultural mentor should this be desired. This position reports to the National Director.

Roles & Responsibilities Include:

• Provide advice to NEDC leadership and project teams on the implementation of the National Eating Disorders Strategy 2023-2033 so that all actions are prevention-focused, trauma-informed, strengths-based, culturally safe and responsive, equitable and free of racism National Eating Disorders Collaboration 4/5
• Contribute to the development of NEDC’s priorities and activities in partnership with First Nations communities, organisations and stakeholder groups

Partnerships and engagement:

• Establish and maintain relationships with First Nations-led organisations, including community-controlled organisations, peak bodies, and research institutes.
• Engage with key governmental agencies (including the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the National Indigenous Australians Agency) to inform national policy and priorities.
• Represent NEDC in national forums
• Initiate and co-lead projects in partnership with First Nations organisations or stakeholders and oversee their monitoring and evaluation.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences to raise awareness of First Nations perspectives and priorities in social and emotional wellbeing and eating disorders

Cultural leadership and organisational development:

• Provide leadership and guidance to the NEDC team to integrate First Nations perspectives and approaches in organisational practices
• Share knowledge and insights that strengthen NEDC’s ability to uphold cultural safety and self-determination for First Nations peoples through our work
• Provide thought leadership on First Nations priorities and opportunities

Essential Criteria

• Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person (a genuine occupational requirement under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act).
• Strong knowledge of First Nations health and social and emotional wellbeing issues
• Proven ability to work effectively and respectfully with First Nations peoples, communities, and organisations
• Experience developing and delivering organisational or program-level strategy and supporting systemic change.
• Understanding of national policy frameworks relevant to First Nations wellbeing
• Must hold a Working with Children clearance for the relevant state/territory and a National Police Check

To see the FULL Selection Criteria, please view the Position Description 

To Apply

All applicants should supply their resume and address the selection criteria as detailed in the Position Description, in a separate cover letter.

Closing Date: Sunday 16th November, please note that if we receive a high level of applications, the vacancy may close earlier than stated. Therefore, we would encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Enquiries

For enquiries about this position, please email hr@nedc.com.au