Regional Partnerships Coordinator in Shepparton

Shepparton, Victoria | On-site with travel required

Build partnerships. Strengthen community voice. Help drive community-led change across the Goulburn Murray.

Kaiela Institute is seeking a highly capable and relationship-focused Regional Partnerships Coordinator to support regional governance, community engagement and collaboration across the Goulburn Murray region. Based on Yorta Yorta Country in Shepparton, this role provides an exciting opportunity to work alongside First Nations leaders, community organisations, government and key regional stakeholders to help create stronger pathways towards economic participation and shared prosperity.

At the heart of this position is connection — bringing people, organisations and ideas together to support community-led decision-making and regional reform.

The opportunity

The Regional Partnerships Coordinator will play an important role in supporting the region's response to the national Empowered Communities initiative and implementation of the Goulburn Murray Regional Productivity and Prosperity Plan (GMRPPP). You will support regional governance and decision-making while building strong relationships across community, government, industry and other stakeholders.

Working closely with the Kaiela Institute team and Plan Champions, you will help identify opportunities, strengthen collaboration and ensure the voices and priorities of First Nations communities remain central to regional initiatives.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Engaging with First Nations leaders, organisations, community members, government and key stakeholders across the Goulburn Murray
• Supporting the development and operation of regional governance and decision-making structures
• Acting as a regional interface with the national Empowered Communities initiative
• Supporting the Goulburn Murray region's active engagement and participation in Empowered Communities initiatives, including coordinating regional input, priorities and contributions to national activities and forums
• Maintaining formal reporting requirements to the Empowered Communities initiative, including coordinating, preparing and submitting accurate and timely regional updates, progress reports, outcomes and supporting information
• Working with regional stakeholders, governance bodies and Plan Champions to gather evidence, track commitments and ensure reporting reflects community priorities, regional progress and agreed outcomes
• Providing high-quality secretariat and coordination support to governance bodies and commissioners
• Coordinating meeting logistics, agendas, papers and supporting documentation
• Working with community on Yorta Yorta Country to identify opportunities connected with implementation of the GMRPPP
• Building partnerships between Plan Champions, community and regional stakeholders
• Supporting workshops, events and engagement activities
• Developing engaging communications and resources across written, visual, multimedia and other channels
• Listening to, understanding and effectively communicating the views of First Nations leaders and community stakeholders
• Providing strategic advice on emerging partnership opportunities
• Supporting continuous improvement and capability across the Kaiela Institute team.

About you

This role will suit someone who is an exceptional relationship builder and understands that successful community engagement begins with trust, listening and genuine collaboration. You will be comfortable working across different environments and engaging with senior leaders, community members, government, industry and partner organisations.

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience building trusted relationships with Yorta Yorta and First Nations communities, including senior community leaders
• Experience working with government, industry and other external stakeholders
• Strong stakeholder and community engagement capability, particularly around complex or sensitive issues
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to understand complex policy issues, different perspectives and communicate key messages clearly
• Confidence influencing, negotiating and helping build agreement between stakeholders
• Strong judgement and an ability to assess risk and make sound decisions
• The ability to develop communications and engagement materials for different audiences
• Strong organisational and coordination capability
• Experience coordinating formal reporting, monitoring deliverables and translating regional activity and outcomes into clear, accurate reports for external partners or governing bodies
• The flexibility to work collaboratively and adapt within a changing environment.

Knowledge and understanding of the Empowered Communities initiative, First Nations issues within the Goulburn Murray region, government policy and regional community development or community-led reform environments will be highly regarded. Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience in areas such as policy development, community development or a related discipline are desirable.

You will join an organisation working at the intersection of community, policy, economic development and First Nations leadership. This role offers the opportunity to build relationships that matter, strengthen community participation in decision-making and contribute directly to initiatives designed to deliver long‐term outcomes across the Goulburn Murray.

If you are someone who can build trust, connect people and turn engagement into meaningful action, we would like to hear from you.

A current Victorian driver's licence is essential. A current Working with Children Check and Police Check will also be required.

Ready to make an impact? We welcome applications from people who bring strong community relationships, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to First Nations-led change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.