AFLDM Co-Convener – Identified

North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS)

Location: Katherine

Salary: SCHADS Award level 5 $105,577.68

Employment: Full time, fixed term for 12 months (subject to funding)

Special Measures: This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1996 (NT).

What We Offer

• Generous salary + Super + up to $15,899 tax-free salary packaging
• 6 weeks Annual Leave with 17.5% annual leave loading
• Professional development and training opportunities
• Monthly Wellbeing Day (full-time employees)
• Time off in lieu of overtime
• Opportunity to contribute to Aboriginal-led early intervention and strengthen outcomes for Aboriginal families

About NAAFLS

The North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering culturally safe legal and support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing domestic, family and sexual violence across the Top End.

With offices in Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy, our work is grounded in cultural respect, community collaboration and self-determination. We provide holistic, wraparound support through our legal services, child protection and family law programs, Leaving Violence Program and Miyalk Safehouse, helping create safer futures for Aboriginal families and communities.

About the Role

NAAFLS’s Aboriginal Family Lead Decision Making (AFLDM) Program is a specialist program aimed at supporting Indigenous families involved with, or at risk of involvement with, the Northern Territory Department of Children and Families (DCF). The program provides culturally appropriate, strength-based early intervention and prevention support to Aboriginal families to address DCF concerns and supports families to identify suitable alternative care options for their children if they are unable to meet the needs of the department.

The AFLDM Program works with the whole family to support them to understand and respond to the child protection concerns held by DCF and facilitates family-led decision-making processes so that families can make informed decisions that are in the best interests of their children.

Reporting to the AFLDM Coordinator, the AFLDM Co-Convenor works in partnership with a Legal Practitioner and, where possible, a gender-paired Co-Convenor, to support families and facilitate culturally safe family-led decision-making processes. You will support Aboriginal families to engage with the child protection system, understand their rights and responsibilities, develop family-led safety plans, and make decisions that promote the safety, wellbeing and connection of children to their family, community, culture and Country.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about supporting Aboriginal families, strengthening family-led decision making and contributing to culturally safe outcomes for Aboriginal children and communities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involved with, or at risk of involvement with, DCF to understand child protection concerns, participate in decision-making processes and develop family-led safety plans.
• Facilitate culturally safe, strength-based family-led decision-making discussions and planning processes that promote children’s connection to family, community, culture and Country.
• Develop respectful and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal people, families and communities, providing cultural guidance throughout their engagement with the program.
• Work collaboratively with the AFLDM Coordinator, Legal Practitioner, Co-Convenor and broader AFLDM team to deliver a culturally appropriate, family-led decision-making model.
• Build and maintain constructive, solutions-focused relationships with DCF caseworkers, team leaders, government agencies and community services, including attending case conferences and family group conferencing meetings.
• Advocate for culturally appropriate, family-led outcomes and work collaboratively with stakeholders to support positive outcomes for children and families.
• Maintain accurate client files, case notes and data records, complete timely data entry, and contribute to program reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of AFLDM processes, procedures and service delivery, including maintaining knowledge of relevant child protection, family violence and other legislation.
• Participate in staff meetings, training and professional development activities and contribute to a positive workplace culture aligned with NAAFLS values.
• Undertake remote community travel, including overnight travel, when required, and comply with NAAFLS policies, procedures and safe work practices.

ABOUT YOU

We are looking for someone who combines strong family support, communication and relationship-building skills with cultural awareness and a genuine commitment to Aboriginal self-determination and family-led decision making.

You will be comfortable working collaboratively with families, legal practitioners, government agencies and community services, while maintaining a strong focus on culturally safe and practical outcomes for Aboriginal children and families.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated experience delivering client-centred, strength-based and trauma-informed support, with the ability to build respectful and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across diverse cultural contexts.
• Demonstrated understanding of the NT child protection system and the issues affecting Aboriginal children, families and communities, including the impact of domestic, family and sexual violence and its crossover with child protection.
• Strong relationship-building, communication, negotiation, advocacy and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively with families, colleagues, government agencies and community services.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate culturally safe, collaborative and family-led discussions and support families to identify practical solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive, solutions-focused relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including child protection and statutory service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate client records, case notes and data, with a strong understanding of confidentiality and information management requirements.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively in complex or challenging situations.
• Comprehensive understanding of mandatory reporting obligations and issues relating to family violence.
• Must obtain a Working with Children Clearance (WWCC), a clear Criminal History Check and hold a current C Class NT Drivers Licence.

Desirable

• Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Services, Behavioural Sciences or a related field.
• Experience in mediation, facilitation and/or family dispute resolution.
• Experience in project development, implementation, monitoring or evaluation.
• Experience in working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
• Experience working in partnership with or co-facilitation model, including alongside legal practitioners or co-convenors.

Why NAAFLS?

Join a passionate, values-driven organisation committed to Aboriginal leadership, cultural safety, self-determination, and community empowerment.

You’ll work alongside dedicated professionals supporting Aboriginal families through a culturally safe, family-led approach, while enjoying generous leave entitlements, salary packaging, professional development opportunities and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful outcomes for Aboriginal children, families and communities across the Top End.

Apply Now!

Closing Date 18 October 2026

Submit your application with:

• Your updated Resume
• A one-page Cover Letter addressing the selection criteria

 For more information and detailed Position Description, visit naafls.com.au

While NAAFLS is an equal opportunity employer, this position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1996 (NT).