Position description

Position title : Cultural Competency Training (CCT) Program Lead

Reports to : Corporate Services Djägamirr (Manager)

Employment type : Part Time / Full Time

Location : Darwin and/or Nhulunbuy

Remuneration : SCHADS 7

No. of direct reports : 0

Date : October 2025

Approved by : Chief Executive Officer

The operating environment

ARDS overview

ARDS is a specialist communication and creative media organisation, acting as a broker between Indigenous communities and mainstream services in the Northern Territory.

The ARDS vision is for Indigenous people to engage on equal terms with the wider Australian society, and its organisations and systems. We ‘span the gap’ that often exists between mainstream services and the information they typically share, and the information Indigenous communities want and need. ARDS aims to empower Indigenous community members to navigate the complex cross-cultural realities they face on a daily basis.

Our work involves:

• Broadcasting and Digital Media: Our Yolŋu Radio broadcasting service is the foundation of our digital media business, which further includes festival, event and sound production, with emerging film production and training capabilities.

• Language and Resources: Our language and resources team supports the preservation and continuation of local languages and culture through oral and written recording of languages and the development of engaging resources.

• Community Development: Our cross-cultural facilitators play a critical brokerage role between government agencies, service providers, Yolŋu organisations and communities, supporting community development initiatives across the region.

Our approach is founded upon genuine and in-depth learning between Indigenous and non-Indigenous worldviews and incorporates a contemporary understanding of culturally competent practice. By combining this skilled cross-cultural practice with adept language work, we are able to effectively facilitate meaningful communication across cultures.

Needs of the organisation

Over its history ARDS has developed a strong reputation with government and private sector partners and enjoys broad community support amongst Yolŋu in the East Arnhem region.

The majority of ARDS’ income is derived from the delivery of Australian and Northern Territory government programs, under grant funding arrangements. However, since 2019, ARDS has been delivering the ARDS’ Northeast Arnhem Cultural Competency Training (CCT) program. The CCT program is a specialist cross cultural training package created to meet the high demand for accessible and practical training for organisations and individuals working in Northeast Arnhem Land.

ARDS is committed to continuing to grow our Cultural Competency Training business. We are seeking an individual who is eager to help us grow the reach of this program as enthusiastic about delivering exceptional cross cultural training with Yolŋu and Balanda co-facilitators.

Position responsibilities

Key duties:

• Co-ordinate with potential and existing Cultural Competency Training (CCT) customers to grow the CCT business and ensure a consistent quality product is delivered by ARDS,

• Alongside Yolŋu co-facilitators, plan and deliver the full suite of ARDS CCT offerings,

• Develop and update CCT materials to maintain the relevant and quality of training,

• Liaise with CCT Administration Support to ensure smooth customer experience for CCT customers,

• Develop and support ARDS staff to be CCT co-facilitators, and

• Occasionally support other ARDS work as required.

Candidate requirements

To effectively perform this position, the person will require the following:

Knowledge & Skills

• Strong working knowledge of Yolŋu languages and culture, able to speak at least Yolŋu Matha language.

• Strong familiarity with the environmental and social-traditional background of Northeast Arnhem Land.

• Demonstrated willingness and ability to develop and maintain open, reflective cross-cultural relationships with ARDS Yolŋu and Balanda staff.

• Self-motivated and organised with the ability to plan and co-ordinate projects without close supervision.

• Flexible, positive team-player, with demonstrated problem-solving abilities.

• Demonstrated knowledge of inter-cultural learning, adult education and community development concepts.

Experience

• Demonstrated experience working or living in Northeast Arnhem Land

• Demonstrated experience in applying culturally competent communication skills and ability to work successfully in multilingual environments

• Demonstrated experience of group facilitation skills

• Demonstrated experience in project management and coordination of stakeholders

• Experience using Plain English for spoken and written communications

• Proficiency with commonly used IT software and platforms, including MS Office and client management systems.

Qualifications

• While no specific qualifications are required for the role of Cross Cultural Training Program Lead, tertiary qualifications in education, training, Yolŋu languages, community services, community development and business administration, or other related fields, are desirable.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Special requirements

• Whether based in Nhulunbuy and Darwin, the successful applicant may be required to travel to Northeast Arnhem communities as required.

• The successful applicant will also be required to:

o Hold a current NT Working with Children Clearance Notice (Ochre Card);

o Undertake a Criminal History Check;

o Hold or be eligible to obtain a current NT Car Driver’s licence; and

o Be willing to undertake basic 4WD training.

A criminal history check will not exclude an applicant from the position unless it is relevant criminal history.