Background

The Gundjeihmi Aboriginal Corporation Jabiru Town (the Jabiru landholder) has been approved by the Commonwealth as an entity under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 to hold a section 19A township lease over the town of Jabiru in the Northern Territory.  The Jabiru landholder is an Aboriginal corporation whose board has a majority of local Mirrar Traditional Owners. The Jabiru landholder is expected to begin exercising its powers under the township lease on or about 1 July 2021.

The position of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jabiru landholder has been created to oversee the exercise of the powers and obligations of the Jabiru landholder under the terms of the lease. This includes an obligation to implement the vision of the Mirrar Traditional Owners for Jabiru to become:

“A world leading ecologically sustainable, economically and socially vibrant community where traditional Aboriginal culture, all people and the natural environment flourish.”

The role

The CEO is required to drive the implementation of the township lease and assist the Jabiru landholder in performing its functions.  The two principal duties of the CEO in the initial period of the operation of the township lease are:

1. Being responsible for all aspects of the establishment of the corporation within an urgent timeframe and in time for commencement on 1 July 2021.
2. Implementation of a simple and transparent system for the handling and assessment of applications for the granting of sub-leases in accordance with the Sub Lease Allocation Plan, licenses and other land-related approvals under the township lease, including the charging of relevant rentals.
3. Being the public face of the Jabiru landholder, explaining the lease mechanism and its implications, and dealing with all stakeholders, including the Traditional Owners, Jabiru residents and businesses and the Northern Territory and Commonwealth Governments, including the Director of National Parks.

In the medium term the CEO’s focus will turn to furthering the Jabiru landholder’s vision of a future role for Jabiru as a centre for tourism and educational activities in Kakadu National Park.

The CEO will be expected to work closely with Jabiru Kabolkmakmen (JKL) and other major stakeholders in the town of Jabiru including a number of local indigenous service organisations. JKL is expected to provide most of the administrative support for the Jabiru landholder. 

The position could be based in either Jabiru or Darwin, with frequent travel to the other centre.

 What we are looking for

 The ideal candidate will:

· have extensive experience working with Traditional Owners, business and all levels of government, preferably at a senior level

· have either a good knowledge of, or the capacity to quickly acquire and apply, an understanding of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976

· be experienced in the negotiation and settling of land transactions, particularly involving leasing

· have the ability to work in small teams or on occasion on their own with a minimum of supervision

· have very strong written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated ability to influence a broad variety of stakeholders, including in high-level government and community settings

· hold a current class C Driver’s License

· have a legal background and practice experience in the above areas, although this is not mandatory.

Preference will be given to suitably qualified Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

The Chief Executive Officer will be appointed for a contract period until 30 June 2023.

Remuneration will be based on applicants’ skills and experience. Housing and a vehicle will be provided as part of the Total Remuneration Package.

Please provide a one-page pitch for the position and your resume to [email protected] [link removed] with the subject: Position Vacant – Chief Executive Officer

Phone: 08 8979 3203