About the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA) is Australia’s audiovisual archive, telling the national story by collecting, preserving and sharing audiovisual media, the cultural experience platforms of our time. The collection itself dates back to 1935, making it one of the world’s oldest audiovisual collections. It is also one of the country’s most used cultural collections, with around 125 million views of collection content each year.
The NFSA is in a period of significant change. Following increased Government investment, the institution is in a process of digital transformation, establishing the NFSA as Australia’s most dynamic and valued cultural organisation. We are rebuilding our curatorial workforce and developing the NFSA’s capacity to digitise our collection at scale – to preserve it for the future, to make sure it can be discovered, and to share it with all Australians.
We continue to work on developing a stable, secure and future-proof workforce across our four physical sites based in Canberra and Mitchell in the ACT as well as in Sydney and Melbourne.
We are also undergoing a program of business improvement for many of our corporate systems to improve efficiency and reduce manual handling.
We are an ambitious organisation, and we aim to be an employer of choice within the Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector, providing exciting and challenging work, as well as favourable employment conditions and unique development opportunities for our staff.
About the Team
The Indigenous Connections team is placed within the Corporate Branch at the NFSA. Currently the team comprises the of Head of First Indigenous Connections, Manager and Curator roles. Working closely with the Curatorial and Accessioning Section, the NFSA’s Indigenous Connections Section ensures the responsible management and custodianship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders material within the national collection items relating to film, sound, television and radio captured in a diverse range of analogue and digital formats.
The NFSA works with an Indigenous Connections Committee who provide strategic advice to the NFSA Board and Executive team and guidance and support as needed to the Indigenous Connections team.
The Opportunity
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia’s (NFSA) Indigenous Connections team is looking for a highly motivated Project Coordinator to work as part of a small team to assist in delivering a diverse range of programs and projects that amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and centre First Nations perspectives across the NFSA’s collection related activities.
Working closely with the Manager, Indigenous Connections, the Project Coordinator will be responsible for undertaking a variety of tasks to coordinate Indigenous Connections team activities including providing support for collection acquisition, repatriation of collection content, and assisting the curation and production of engagement activities.
The role requires an excellent communicator with high-level research and administrative skills, someone who can embrace and contribute to change, and excels in managing a variety of tasks and priorities.
The position requires previous experience with an appreciation of the NFSA’s operating environment and the audiovisual industry and/or cultural sector more broadly- whilst recognising that audiovisual archiving is a specialised field, and a transferable skill set is a consideration.
Please note: This recruitment process is intended to fill both current and future vacancies. While the position on offer is ongoing, a merit pool of suitable applicants may be established to fill similar ongoing and non-ongoing positions within the next 18-months.
Job Description
Under limited direction, this position is responsible for the following functions in accordance with the NFSA Indigenous Strategy:
Coordinate and support a diverse range of Indigenous Connections projects and activities across the NFSA’s collection related activities, including supporting relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, creatives, organisations and collaborators across Australia.
Perform a variety of administrative, research and data management tasks relating to collection acquisitions, repatriation of collection content, and the curation and production of engagement projects.
Contribute to curatorial and engagement activities as required and other initiatives that support the Indigenous Connections team’s objectives, such as NFSA exhibitions, public programs, and online education
Coordinate input into the development and implementation of business plans, reporting, agreements, policies and procedures, and provide administrative support to the Indigenous Connections team as required.
Selection Criteria
The successful candidate will demonstrate their capacity against the following:
Demonstrated experience working with First Nations material in either the audiovisual industry and/or cultural sector or transferable experience in a different field.
A good understanding of how audiovisual collections can contribute to cultural maintenance and fostering an increased awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and issues.
Well-developed written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and liaise with various stakeholders.
Demonstrated well-developed research, administrative and data management skills, with the ability to prioritise a diverse range of tasks and deliver to deadline.
Desired Skills and Experience
Mandatory:
Relevant experience and/or tertiary qualifications working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander material in either the film, broadcast and sound industries, the cultural and arts sectors, media or academia, or transferable experience working in a different field.
How to Apply
When applying via our online e-recruitment system, please address the details in the ‘Key Responsibilities’ and ‘Selection Criteria’ by outlining in 500 words or less, how your skills and relevant experience demonstrate that you would be our ideal candidate. Your current resume is also to be included in your application.
In addition to an application and your resume, the assessment process for this position may also include an interview and referee reports.
Eligibility
The filling of this vacancy is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. This vacancy is only available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Evidence may be requested if your application progresses under an affirmative measure process.
To be eligible for this position you must:
Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and are accepted by their community as being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
Be an Australian Citizen; and
Satisfactorily complete an Australian Federal Police (AFP) National Police Check (NPC).
What we offer you
We provide a diverse, inclusive, and supportive work environment with access to:
Great training and development opportunities.
Generous leave and flexible working arrangements.
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP – a free counselling service for you and your family).
A competitive salary, plus 15.4% superannuation.
Rewards and recognition initiatives.
Cultural Values
We are an equal opportunity employer, embracing a diverse range of applicants such as veterans, and people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, LGBTQIA community members, individuals with disabilities and/or health conditions, as well as those from varied faith and cultural backgrounds. At the NFSA we prioritise the development of a safe, inclusive, and high-performance culture through shared actions and behaviours that align with our strategy and direction. This empowers our employees to effectively contribute to our goals.
The National Film and Sound Archive of Australia is committed to ensuring a child-safe and child-friendly environment. All employees are expected to demonstrate a commitment to, and support for these principles in theory and practice.
RecuitAbility
RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information see: RecruitAbility | Australian Public Service Commission (https://apsc.gov.au)
