Director – First Nations Education, Catholic Education Services, Cairns

Our vision is:

To offer every student in every school a world class education enriched by their lived encounter with the Catholic Faith.

Catholic Education Services (CES) in the Diocese of Cairns is a dynamic and growing organisation that is actively inviting schools to co-create, with us, schools that are places of rich learning for now and into the 22^nd Century.

Catholic Education Services in the Diocese of Cairns embraces 30 schools; including 20 primary schools, 2 Prep to Year 12 colleges and 8 secondary colleges. One of these colleges is a Special Assistance College with campuses in Cairns, Cooktown, and Edmonton. Over the next five years there are two new schools planned. This community also includes Catholic Education Services located in Cairns itself. In total, there are 11 500 students and 1500 staff in our community.

Leadership and strategic management of Catholic Education Services is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals, and in co-Leadership with principals, the Executive Director manages and facilitates significant delegations.

Staff are supported to experience success and satisfaction in their vital roles.

Living in Cairns

Cairns offers many lifestyle opportunities that can be found in few other places and is surrounded by World Heritage listed areas including the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest, all within an hour’s journey from the growing city of Cairns.

It is the gateway to our Asian neighbours with direct flights to China, Japan and Singapore, as well as direct flights to all east coast capital cities, Darwin, and Queensland’s Sunshine and Gold Coasts.

Further Information

Additional information can be accessed by visiting Catholic Education Services website located at https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au/

We acknowledge the First Nations peoples of Australia, the traditional custodians of the land, seas, skies and waterways on which we reside, work, travel and meet. We pay our respect to First Nations elders past, present, and emerging, and support the Uluru Statement From The Heart. We acknowledge that the land, seas, skies and waterways of Australia were, are and always will be, that of the First Nations peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, video or audio recordings.

Position Overview

Position Title: Director – First Nations Education

Reports to: Deputy Executive Director School Improvement

Position Purpose

The primary purpose of the role is to lead, direct and support Cairns Catholic Education Community’s commitment to being a culturally responsive organisation that embraces the heritage, knowledge and values of all First Nations peoples. Interlinked with this is the development, management, implementation and evaluation of First Nations initiatives to help achieve the ten priority areas of the Cairns Catholic Education Community Strategic Directions 2021-2025.

The Director First Nations Education will work both internally and externally to provide leadership oversight of key initiatives as outlined in the strategic directions, and to ensure that CES Cairns is seen as a national leader in the education of First Nations students.

As a senior leader of CES, the role requires strategic thinking, educational leadership and system thinking to assist our First Nations students, families and staff to continue to achieve wellbeing and success and to forge new pathways to achievement.

The role will have the advantage of:

• Working in a supportive environment
• Assisting students, families, carers and staff to achieve their potential
• Embedding First Nations perspectives in all aspects of the Cairns Catholic Education Community.
• Leading a major change agenda
• Evolving their professional identity
• Promoting and living the Catholic Identity

The role will work collaboratively within the Directors’ team, and coordinates, with other directors, a focus on research, innovation, and formation across the Catholic education community.

At a later stage in this project you will be provided a full position description; and the success criteria for the first 12 months in the role.

Key Relationships

The position reports to the Deputy Executive Director.  The position also has a collegial relationship with the Executive Director, The Vicar for Education, the Assistant Executive Director, Principals, the Bishop, and the Clergy of the Diocese.  The role holder is a member of the Strategic Leadership Team of Catholic Education Services.

The position works closely with the other Directors and with the Directors School Effectiveness.  The position will also from time to time be a member of various Diocesan committees, QLD Directors Forum committees, national committees and represent the Diocese at QCEC level.

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this project.

Reason for Vacancy

This is a newly created role.

Commencement

The commencement date is negotiable, but ideally the successful applicant will be able to commence no later than January 2023.

Location and Travel

The Main Office is located at 130 Lake St., Cairns. The nature of the role means considerable travel within the Diocese; as well as time spent working with staff in office and school environments.

The position is a full-time executive position, which involves extended hours, evening meetings, overnight absence and interstate travel ranging over seven days.

Conditions of  Employment

• To perform this role, it is essential that the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti- Discrimination Act 1991 that applicants are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• The remuneration package will be discussed as we move through this process.
• The initial contract period is for 5 years, with an annual review. The standard 6-month probation period applies.
• The Diocese has a relocation policy to assist, if required
• Applicants will require a current Drivers Licence.
• The Working with Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to “working with children check” as part of the employment screening process. Further details may be obtained by accessing the web site of the Public Safety Business Agency at the following internet address: https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au
• A non-smoking policy is effective in Catholic Education Services buildings, offices, and motor vehicles.

Selection Criteria

We invite expressions of interest from people who align with the following:

• An understanding of the challenges facing First Nations students, families and staff.
• Participates in the sacramental life of the Catholic Church with a commitment to the role of the Catholic school as part of the mission of the Catholic Church.
• A minimum of 5 years of leadership experience in, or with exposure to, an educational setting, with success in areas related to First Nations education.
• Evidence of participation, innovation, and research in the areas of First Nations cultural understandings, First Nations student education, cultural competency and Ways of Knowing, Being, Doing and Valuing.
• Ability to collaborate with all stakeholders to develop, lead, implement and evaluate First Nations education strategies, policies, programs, and initiatives, aligned to the work of Catholic Education Services and Schools.
• Master’s Degree or Higher in the areas of Education, Leadership, Management, or related discipline (or prepared to work towards) with a record of ongoing professional development.

Are You Interested?

If you are interested in this role, please use the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this webpage; or email jobs@traksearch.com quoting ref number TS1488. All we require at the outset is a resume,  email address and mobile telephone number. No other documentation is required from you to express your interest. All emails and resumes are acknowledged within 48 hours. Please contact us again if this does not occur.

Questions can be directed to John Chesher (0417 068 220) or by email to jobs@traksearch.com

If you are NOT interested in this role but would like to be advised of future leadership positions, click here to register for our weekly email alerts.

The Selection Process

The timeline for this project is as follows:

We have been instructed to provide a process that is transparent and welcoming.

• We are available for your confidential enquiries. We will also provide additional information to allow you to explore how the role aligns with your expectations and interests.
• Closing is 5.00pm on the date shown above. However, a late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the CES schedule.
• We expect to complete a work-related reference; and a Faith-based reference with a Catholic priest prior to shortlisting. We anticipate speaking with another work-related referee between shortlisting and interviews. Final references are completed after CES interviews. No referee will be contacted without your express consent.
• The selection committee will provide an option of a video interview in circumstances where a person is unable to attend for a face-to-face meeting.
• Please be aware our standard practice utilises the services of an external specialist in pre-employment screening. This service includes employment history verification; National Police Check; and academic qualifications and professional memberships verification.
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available, in confidence, to the Deputy Executive Director or his nominee, unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.
• To obtain a more comprehensive understanding of the Trak Search methodology, including our screening process, click here to access the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
• Only people with the unrestricted right to work in Australia may apply for this role.

 Trak Search strongly supports the principles of equal employment opportunities in the workplace. We support our clients in recruiting a diverse range of people and a diverse range of talents.

 Trak Search is committed to working with client organisations in the safeguarding of children and young people. Applicants should be aware that in addition to the Working with Children and National Police History Checks required by our client, Trak Search screening processes, interview questions and reference checking will also reflect this commitment.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.