Senior Advisor - Aboriginal Cultural Planning

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation's visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

The Senior Advisor - Cultural Planning is a senior practitioner role responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, review and endorsement of cultural support plans for vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people in out-of-home care. The role supports practitioners and care teams to develop high-quality cultural plans, assesses plans against required standards, and provides recommendations to the Chief Executive Officer for endorsement.

About You

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA's vision and purpose.
• Awareness and appreciation of Aboriginal societies and cultures and an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia and the diversity of circumstances of Aboriginal people.
• Demonstrated commitment to VACCA's values and purpose, with the ability to lead and champion these in practice.
• Expert knowledge of Aboriginal cultural planning for children in out-of-home care, including the history, principles and responsibilities that underpin best practice.
• Advanced understanding of child development, attachment and trauma-informed practice within child and family welfare contexts.
• A recognised social work or related welfare/behavioral science qualification with a focus on child development, family dynamics and/or trauma, and relevant practice experience.
• Extensive experience and specialist knowledge in child protection and out-of-home care.

Requirements

• Where a degree is commenced but not completed, salary will be fixed at Award Level 4 until successful completion.
• You must have and continue to hold a full Victorian Driver's Licence, a current employment Working with Children Check card and a clear National Police Check.
• Current COVID-19 vaccination - strongly recommended.

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction.
• The support of regular internal supervision.
• Professional development and training opportunities.
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay.
• 17.5% loading on annual leave.
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel.
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs.
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment.
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture.
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program.

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Application closes by 7th September 2026 - This ad is subject to close upon completion of the recruitment process.

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy.