Academic Leader – Knowledges
National Centre for Cultural Competence

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services)
Reference no. 1799/1016

• Use your teaching, research and learning background to contribute to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives
• Forge new inclusive pathways and praxis through cultural competence research, project and program development
• Full-time, 2.5 years fixed term contract, remuneration package: $143K-$165K p.a. (which includes salary, leave loading and up to 17% super)

The University of Sydney is Australia's first university and has an outstanding global reputation for academic and research excellence. We employ over 7600 permanent staff, supporting over 60,000 students.

The National Centre for Cultural Competence (NCCC) is a central program administered out of the Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services). The centre is charged with advancing thinking and action in services, policy and programs on matters of cultural competence. We have a whole-of-university role at Sydney as well as forming partnerships in the international arena with similar centres and indigenous communities nationally and internationally.

We seek to make specific contributions to the University’s efforts to improve Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation and outcomes in higher education by increasing the capacity of the University of Sydney and the Australian higher education sector to design, implement and evaluate culturally competent higher education and to graduate culturally competent Australians, able to contribute to social, cultural, political and economic development in an increasingly diverse and globally connected community.

The primary function of the position is to assist the Academic Director of the NCCC in leading and overseeing the development of research and education within defined areas. You’ll also work to ensure integration across themes and domains to meet the research and education strategies of the NCCC and the University. To ensure your success in this important role, you will be someone who leads teams creatively and agilely, applying a social justice framework to the development of your work.

In addition, your responsibilities in this role will include:

• undertaking research or research-led practice that advances cultural competence and its contribution to social justice-based initiatives, through theory, praxis or research-led practice
• establishing and managing networks that meet the centre’s research and education strategy, to include setting and managing performance targets for the Theme as a whole, and securing necessary research and grant funding to meet these targets
• providing academic leadership to an array of teaching, course development, supervision and research duties required to support the University in its goal to embed cultural competence across the curriculum
• developing and managing innovative, collaborative projects and project teams, that contribute to the design, development and implementation of Indigenous teaching and learning methodologies, models and knowledges
• fostering links with other academic institutions, particularly those with model programs for Indigenous students and staff.

To be successful, you will need:

• a PhD that contributes to a domain of cultural competence and work at a national level that demonstrates a strengths based approach to solving complex issues related to non-dominant groups in society
• a high level of academic and professional standing with appropriate research, publications and  academic  leadership experience, including  significant collaborative and integrated cross-discipline research
• the capacity to work in the high pressure, high turnaround environment of NCCC project work, while maintaining individual research and academic projects
• experience in teaching, leading and incorporating Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander epistemologies and axiologies into curriculum
• evidence of high quality teaching with substantial experience, at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, including contributions to course and program development
• the personal attributes of: integrity and fairness; a collaborative approach; flexibility, sound judgment; commitment  to  quality  service;  a  high  level  of  initiative; resilience and personal accountability for results
• the ability to gain the confidence, influence and engagement of a wide range of stakeholders, both within and outside the University including: the ability to work effectively with external stakeholders; high level links with industry, Government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and a demonstrated understanding of how these operate.

Desirable for appointment is:

• a demonstrated commitment to innovation in educational practice and assessment, including experience in preparation and delivery of engaging materials utilising technology=enabled learning, open educational resources and experiential learning
• success in obtaining competitive grant funding and/ or industry funding as an individual or as part of a team
• experience in the supervision of research higher degree students, and research teams.

All applications must be submitted via the University of Sydney careers website.  Visit sydney.edu.au/recruitment and search by the reference number for more information and to apply.

CLOSING DATE: 11:30pm 3 January 2017 (Sydney time)

The University is an equal opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Applications from equity target groups, including women and people with disabilities are encouraged. As the University of Sydney has established a scheme to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff employed across the institution, applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are also encouraged.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.