Description
Join us at the Australian Museum and help us achieve our Mission to ignite wonder, inspire debate, and drive change
About the Project
The Repatriation Program (the Program) is the Australian Museum’s (AM) program to return its Restricted Collections back to their communities of origin, and sits within the First Nations Division. The Program aims to promote reconciliation, self-determination, and best practice in cultural heritage by working with First Nations and Pasifika communities to address past injustices in museum collecting practices. The Program works closely with State and Commonwealth organisations, as well as First Nations and Pasifika communities, to secure funding, provide accountability, and deliver results, ensuring that communities’ aspirations for their cultural heritage are prioritised and respected.
Some examples of the achievements of the Program can be found at: https://www.arts.gov.au/what-we-do/cultural-heritage/indigenous-repatriation/domestic-repatriation
About the Role
The roles are aligned with the Australian Museum’s strategic priorities to deliver core aspects of its Corporate Strategic Plan and Reconciliation Action Plan. The AM continues to exceed Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People Diversity Targets and these roles will enhance our commitment to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employment.
This role is an opportunity for a graduate researcher to hone their research skills in a fast-paced environment and provide a meaningful contribution to practical reconciliation in Australia’s oldest museum through its First Nations repatriation program.
The role is split into two part time positions. The Repatriation Researcher will be conducting provenance research to provide assurance to communities that they are accurately returning Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects to their respective source communities, and will require an understanding of records and archives, and be able to follow lines of research inquiry that may go outside the AM. Experience in cultural sensitivity and community engagement is desirable, as consultations must necessarily discuss the repatriation of Pasifika and Australian First Nations Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects in a sensitive and respectful manner with the relevant communities.
The primary focus of the role will be to provide high quality research that will provide assurance on the provenance of Ancestral Remains and Secret/Sacred Objects scheduled for return to Country. This will involve engaging with AM Archives and conducting independent research, whilst also providing support for other areas of the Repatriation Program including community consultations and engagement and Restricted Collection care.
Employment Status:
- Clerk Grade 5/6.
- Fixed term 2 years, starting in January - February 2025.
- Part time, one role 2 days per week, and the other role 3 days per week.
Click on the following links to begin the journey to find your new career at the AM
You will be paid a competitive annual salary $93,295 - $102,942, pro-rated, plus employer's contribution to superannuation (currently 11.5%) and annual leave loading.
About you
We are seeking researchers with demonstrated skills in working with archival material and have experience working with First Nations communities, understanding the complexities of this interaction within an institutional setting.
Knowledge & Experience
- Demonstrated experience working with First Nations and/or Pasifika communities in accordance with cultural sensitivities and protocols.
- Demonstrated experience working with archival material, able to understand complex interwoven archival series networks, and interpreting historic handwriting.
- Demonstrated experience working with databases or collection management systems.
- Demonstrated experience in integrating multiple sources of information into a comprehensive research report, and able to summarise the same information in plain expression.
- Demonstrated experience with self-directed work, leveraging relationships both internal and external to deliver results.
- Adequate knowledge and experience in order to deliver the Key Accountabilities and perform to the Focus Capabilities outlined in the relevant Role Description.
Essential requirements
- Tertiary level qualifications, or demonstrable equivalent professional experience, in a relevant discipline. Postgraduate qualifications or those currently undertaking postgraduate studies are encouraged to apply.
- Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti- Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
About The Australian Museum
The Australian Museum is truly a great place to work. We aim to be the leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; be a strong advocate for First Nations’ culture; and continue to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs.
Recent staff survey results confirm that our staff feel valued, accepted and supported and that they believe the AM is an inclusive workplace. AM staff also report a high level of job satisfaction.
The AM is located on the homelands of the Gadigal people and acknowledges and pays respect to the Gadigal people as the custodians of the land, sky and waterways, paying respect to Elders past and present.
Check out our current exhibitions and events here.
Benefits
Besides working together with other like-minded people, you will have access to professional development and dedicated Wellbeing programs.
How to apply
Applicants must submit (if submitted as attachment, please upload as PDF):
- A two page maximum covering letter which addresses the role description’s essential requirements, key knowledge and experience.
- Resume
- Confirmation of Aboriginality documentation
Please see the detailed information about the Confirmation of Aboriginality documentation:
- Examples of written documentation include:
- a document demonstrating membership of their Local Aboriginal Land Council
- a certificate or documentation confirming Aboriginality from a recognised Aboriginal organisation with a common seal
- references from at least two Aboriginal community representatives with a signed declaration in the following terms:
- I am a person of Aboriginal descent.
- I identify as an Aboriginal person
- I am accepted by the Aboriginal community as an Aboriginal person
- I declare that this information is true and correct at the time of submission
- a statutory declaration if the applicant has no other formal documentary evidence. However, the applicant may need to provide additional supporting documents if the evidence in the declaration is not strong enough.
- If an applicant cannot provide any of the above written documentation, AM can consider providing the applicant with an opportunity during the interview to confirm their Aboriginality.
As part of the online application process, you will be prompted to answer two targeted questions.
Q1: What relevant skills and experience make you a great fit for the role? (referring to the key accountabilities listed in the role description) (400 words maximum).
Q2: Using a recent work example where you were dealing with complex tasks that had overlapping and competing time frames, outline how you kept the project on track. What did you do when time frames weren’t being met? (400 words maximum).
For more details, Frequently Asked Questions and how to apply for the role go to I Work for NSW.
The successful applicant will be subject to national criminal records check. As recommended by Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), the Australian Museum encourages all applicants who can be safely vaccinated for COVID-19, to be so.
Contact person: Dr Nick Skilton, Senior Repatriation Researcher, First Nations Division [email protected]
Inclusive and welcoming
The Australian Museum is an NSW Public Service organisation and aims to attract and retain the right people for the right jobs. The AM is a diverse and inclusive workplace where genuine participation and contribution is enabled, and everyone, regardless of their background, identity or circumstances is valued, accepted and supported to thrive at work.
This means that we are embedding diversity and inclusion in everything we do on a daily basis, whether it be our recruitment processes, workplace culture, career development programs, customer service or policies and procedures. If we can make some adjustments to our recruitment process to better enable you to shine, please reach out to the contact person or note this in your application.
Pre screening: Two part time work arrangements (2 days per week & 3 days per week) are available, the successful candidates will be assigned to one of these arrangements. Please advise us your availability.
2 days per week
3 days per week
either