Job Title

Children''s Ground is a First Nations organisation. The Children''s Ground Approach is designed and delivered through the leadership of First Nations people. We are committed to systems change to ensure dignity, justice and equity for all children and families. Our work focuses on national reform as well as evidencing a new way of working. The Children''s Ground Approach is a whole of community, whole of life approach. We privilege First Nations knowledge systems and practice. Over the course of a generation, led by local expertise, we create and deliver an integrated system that is centred on learning, development and wellbeing that responds to the child and their family through the key transition points from pre-birth to young adulthood. Our approach recognises the cultural, social, and economic strength of our communities. We build on this over a generation to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren that gives them freedom, opportunity and rights to their culture and identity. Children''s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, with support provided by a Melbourne-based Shared Services team. About you Youre curious, practical, and culturally responsive, with a passion for creating engaging, playbased and languagerich experiences that reflect the aspirations of children, families, and communities. Youre an educator who believes that learning should be grounded in culture, community, and Country. You bring experience in early years or primary education and are committed to working alongside First Nations educators, families, and Elders to create meaningful, inclusive learning environments. Youre equally confident in a classroom or on Country, and you value both First Nations knowledge systems and western pedagogies. Youre someone who thrives in dynamic settings and is comfortable working independently, whether on Country in Marlkawo or in Darwinbased community programmes. Youre handson and adaptable, with strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset. Youre excited by the opportunity to provide mentorship, support educators, and contribute to a creative, integrated approach to learning and wellbeing. What matters most to you is doing work that is respectful, purposeful and genuinely useful to the children, families and educators youre working alongside. About the role Working alongside our experienced First Nations educators, our Learning team is responsible for the design and implementation of an innovative and integrated approach to learning and wellbeing. The position will be responsible for both teaching during session delivery and supporting educators who work in Marlkawo and Darwin, by providing direction, support and supervision alongside the Head of Learning and Wellbeing. By privileging First Culture with the best of western teachings, delivery is guided by the Early Years framework and Apmerengentyele (Everything comes from the land). With a growing team of both Cultural and Westerntrained Educators, a community development approach ensures inclusivity, collaboration and solutionsfocused problem solving, and learning is integrated with Cultural and Creative Development, Community Development, Economic Development and Family Health. Community plans that outline community aspirations assist with learning planning and focus. While this role does not have direct line management responsibilities, it provides specialist leadership through curriculum coordination, handson implementation support, mentoring, and professional development. The role follows a seasonal rhythm: Dry Season (approx. MayOctober): The Coordinator is primarily stationed in Marlkawo through a driveindriveout model (2 weeks on, one week off), supporting oncountry cultural learning, curriculum delivery, and mentoring local educators. During this time, Darwinbased programmes are in full swing, and coordination will include lighttouch system support. Wet Season (approx. NovemberApril): The Coordinator is based in Darwin, supporting Early Years teams across multiple town communities. The role requires selfmotivation with the ability to work independently, making sound judgment calls and decisions with minimal supervision. The role is physically demanding, requires a degree of handson practical skills and a desire to live in the outdoor environment. Key Responsibilities First Nations, and Western Knowledge SystemsEnsure that learning experiences privilege First Nations knowledge systems and cultural practices, while also meeting the requirements of national frameworks like the Early Years Learning Framework. First Nations, and Western Knowledge SystemsDevelop and implement a blended learning approach that integrates oncountry, cultural learning with formal educational outcomes. First Nations, and Western Knowledge SystemsFoster language and culture learning by working closely with Elders, cultural leaders, and families to design and implement languagerich educational experiences. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationWork with the community team to design and develop dynamic learning experiences which embed local cultural knowledge systems. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationImplement strengthsbased responsive teaching strategies that support the diverse interests, needs, and learning styles of all children. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationImplement and evaluate learning experiences that fit within Children''s Ground philosophies, policies and procedures and regulatory requirements. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationEnsure children are offered a highquality educational environment that supports their development in all learning domains. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationDesign and implement teaching and learning programmes which are consistent with all relevant curriculum and standards. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationEnsure health, social and emotional wellbeing and development are an embedded part of the learning and wellbeing platform. Program Design, Standards and ImplementationEnsure creativity is an embedded part of the learning and wellbeing platform. Learning and WellbeingPlan, prepare, and deliver highquality communitybased Early Childhood and Primary learning programmes in collaboration with First Nations educators and communities. Learning and WellbeingCreate a welcoming learning space for all families to actively contribute to and be involved in their child(ren)s learning. Learning and WellbeingLead the documentation of childrens learning and development that is regularly shared with families, including individual learning plans. Learning and WellbeingWork with an interdisciplinary team to deliver an integrated and innovative learning approach including health, social and emotional wellbeing, creative arts, digital and other areas. Learning and WellbeingLead the development and implementation of language and culture learning experiences and resources for mixed aged groups of children in collaboration with cultural leaders, elders, and families. Learning and WellbeingEncourage and support all First Nations families, valuing their ideas, strategies and aspirations. Learning and WellbeingSupport extended hours learning opportunities. Educational Leadership and MentorshipProvide educational leadership and mentorship to Early Years/Primary team, offering guidance on curriculum implementation, pedagogy, and learning strategies. Educational Leadership and MentorshipWork alongside community educators to set goals for childrens learning and development, ensuring that families and cultural educators are at the centre of decisionmaking. Educational Leadership and MentorshipLead the documentation of childrens learning, development, and progress, ensuring this information is regularly shared with families and community members. Community and Family EngagementEngage with families, Elders, and local community leads to codesign learning programmes that reflect their aspirations for childrens education. Community and Family EngagementCreate a welcoming environment where families feel empowered to actively participate in their childrens learning. Community and Family EngagementSupport extended hours of learning, including afterhours or holiday programmes, to enhance childrens education and wellbeing. School Engagement and School Age PlanningSupport the Head of Learning and Wellbeing with the engagement of local primary schools and participation of primary school age children in cultural camps. School Engagement and School Age PlanningContribute to the education planning for primary and high school age children who attend camps during school term. School Engagement and School Age PlanningLiaise with local area schools and confirm learning needs for children. School Engagement and School Age PlanningContribute to reports to local schools. Operational Systems and StandardsComply with Policy and Procedures and participate in reviews as needed. Operational Systems and StandardsEnsure Childrens Grounds duty of care is met, and learning/work environments are, as far as practicable, safe and supportive for families, children and volunteers. Monitoring, Evaluation and ReportingMaintain records including data collection and data entry in Childrens Ground database. Monitoring, Evaluation and ReportingMaintain confidential organised and uptodate files relating to children and adults. Monitoring, Evaluation and ReportingContribute to the writing of papers and articulation of frameworks for Childrens Ground. Monitoring, Evaluation and ReportingWork collaboratively with staff to complete reporting requirements. Contribute to Childrens GroundActively learn the local language(s), to be able to use them in basic conversation with communities. Contribute to Childrens GroundFacilitate and contribute to team meetings and discussions. Contribute to Childrens GroundBe a positive, innovative and active member of the Childrens Ground team. Contribute to Childrens GroundContribute to strategic planning, organisational development, management of work plans and policy formation. Contribute to Childrens GroundSupport a strong, connected, respectful and supportive organisation. Contribute to Childrens GroundParticipate and when required, lead professional development opportunities. Contribute to Childrens GroundUndertake other tasks as requested to support the activities of Childrens Ground. Key Selection Criteria Experience with First Nations communities and a deep understanding of their strengths and key challenges. Ability to live, work, and communicate well with First Nations people in remote communities. Qualifications in Education with a minimum of 1 years experience. Experience working with Early Childhood age groups and organising a learning environment that suits different ages and abilities. A commitment to a First Nations led approach in education. A passion for quality innovative learning and wellbeing environments. Strong teamwork, and training skills, with experience working in culturally diverse and changing environments. Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with different people and organisations, with excellent communication skills. Welldeveloped people skills, including negotiation and communication, with the ability to engage various stakeholders in crosscultural settings. Ability to work independently, make confident decisions, and recognise when to elevate issues appropriately. A current Working with Children Clearance Notice (Ochre Card) or ability to obtain, and willingness to undergo a National Police Check. Drivers licence with manual driving experience, and preferably 4WD experience. Pay range: 111,487 120,578 AUD per year (Top End Darwin). #J-18808-Ljbffr