Development Officer

Kokatha Mula Nations Project Brief

Overview

In late 2010 Verve Group was engaged by Kokatha Mula Nations Land Council (KMNLC) to develop a Business Plan and recruit and employ two key staff (an Economic Development Officer and a Development Officer) to implement business strategies to help Kokatha people achieve their aspirations. This is an exciting 12 month project that will deliver significant and real outcomes for Kokatha people in making the most out of newly created opportunities. The project is funded and supported by the federal Department of Employment, Education and Work Place Relations (DEEWR).

Background

Kokatha people are traditional land owners for an area of land north of Port Augusta including Roxby Downs.  Kokatha are represented by the Kokatha Mula Nations Land Council Incorporated Association (KMNLCA) whose role and vision is to provide economic development opportunities for the advancement of Kokatha people.  

The KMNLCA is one of three indigenous landowner groups in the region who are eligible to apply for funding for specific projects.  Funding has been made available primarily from BHP Billiton who operates the Olympic Dam mining facilities at Roxby Downs.

The ability to access this funding presents a significant opportunity to set up effective, targeted projects to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of Kokatha people to great benefit.  The vision is to help Kokatha participate fully and equally in employment, education and business opportunities through accessing new and innovative programs.   This vision mirrors the federal government's 'Closing the Gap' policies in support of indigenous people's right to self determination and participation in economic, political and social activities.  

Likely projects that will be assessed include (and not limited to):

• Acquiring land and provision of accommodation for Olympic Dam and other sites
• Partnering with others to open doors into education and training for Kokatha people
• Cultural awareness training for BHP Billiton and others
• Potential tourism opportunities around Roxby Downs
• Partnering with Civil Construction Industry on projects that provide employment opportunities
• Target projects that support youth at risk
• Mechanisms for impactful Kokatha heritage processes in the mining and exploration industries

 KDO reporting relationships

The Kokatha Development Officer (KDO) will be employed and managed by Verve Group but report directly to the Economic Development Officer as the day to day manager.  The KDO is to be based in Port Augusta but will be required to do some travel in region and to Adelaide. Verve will provide a temporary office space in Adelaide for work, set up with phone, computer, security and admin support.

One of the main outcomes for the project is to, by the end of the year, establish a permanent office presence in Port Augusta for Kokatha Mula to carry out business activities. The Development Officer will be involved in the office set up and will work primarily from this space.  The KDO will work closely with the Economic Development Officer, despite being based in different offices some of the time. The vision for Kokatha Mula is to see the KDO learn from the EDO's skills and experience at high level business negotiations, to eventually step in to their role at the end of a 12 month period.

The KDO role is expected to be filled by someone with experience implementing and managing multiple, high level projects. Although the KDO role is advertised as a 12 month contract there are ongoing employment opportunities available subject to project status and funding arrangements.

The position is being advertised as open and applications close on March 31 by close of business.

Click here to download this project brief

Click here to download the job ad

Click here to download the position description

If you have any further questions, please contact Susan or Martin at Verve Group on 08 7225 6956 to discuss.