Specialist - Indigenous Engagement - Melbourne, Australia - Australian Energy Market Operator

Description

Drive engagement, opportunities and outcomes with Traditional Owners on one of Victoria's largest energy projects as the Specialist - Indigenous Engagement. Significant consultation experience required & Traditional Owner relationship expertise. Excellent company culture, great benefits and hybrid work arrangements with one day a week in the CBD office and fortnightly travel required to Shepparton/Melbourne North location.

AEMO at the Heart of Energy

AEMO is Australia's independent energy system and market operator and system planner. AEMO's purpose is to ensure safe, reliable and affordable energy today, and enable the energy transition for the benefit of all Australians. Australian governments are now committed to a net zero economy for Australia by 2050 and our vision is to enable this. We have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to influence the future of our energy systems, and our core values revolve around Character, Commitment, and Connection. Join us as we contribute to this significant mission in the energy sector.

Victorian Network Services & Delivery is a division within AEMO's System Design Department with the key objective to effectively plan and deliver Victorian electricity transmission augmentations in the long-term interests of consumers.

Critical to the achievement of this objective is the development and implementation of infrastructure projects to meet those needs.

About the role
This role will work across AEMO projects in System Design and potentially other areas of the AEMO business to build meaningful relationships with Traditional Owners and co-ordinate project workstream interactions with Traditional Owners (e.g. Cultural Heritage Management Plans). Relevant projects of focus include the Victorian section of Victoria New South Wales interconnector West (VNIW) a proposed ~240km 500kVC electricity transmission line from Bulgana to the Murray River north of Kerang where it will join with the NSW section of VNIW and the Western Renewables Link (WRL) a proposed 190km, 500kV electricity transmission line connecting Sydenham to Bulgana.

The role includes leading discussions with Traditional Owner groups to facilitate Traditional Owner inclusion and collaboration in procurement activities and project development and delivery, in order to deliver positive social and economic outcomes for Traditional Owners. The role may also involve working across other areas of the AEMO business where there is or should be a positive and active engagement with Traditional Owners.

The ideal incumbent for this position is a proactive individual with sensitivity, adept listening skills and knowledge of state and federal regulations pertinent to large scale infrastructure projects. You must be able to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

What you will be doing

1. Provide general oversight of Traditional Owner involvement across multiple workstreams in relation to AEMO projects to ensure that there is a coordinated approach to Traditional Owner interactions.
2. Facilitate, lead and provide specialist advice on relationships between Traditional Owner groups and AEMO in relation to VNIW, WRL and other AEMO projects to support project and Traditional Owner aspirations.
3. Provide input into procurement structuring and other opportunities to facilitate Traditional Owner participation in project delivery.
4. Provide subject matter expertise and advice relating to Traditional Owner partnering and negotiations to internal management and stakeholders.
5. Work with delivery partners (including VicGrid) to coordinate activities related to these relationships and positive project outcomes.
6. Ensure risks and issues associated with Traditional Owner relationships are identified, managed, and communicated to internal stakeholders.
7. Lead the development and delivery of stakeholder management plans and strategies specific to Traditional Owners.
8. Coordinate and own Traditional Owner engagement on VNIW, WRL and other projects as required.
9. Provide regular status reports and communications on the project, impacts and issues to stakeholders. This includes reporting to project steering committee meetings and other management briefing sessions.

What you will bring to the role

Experience and Knowledge

• Demonstrated extensive experience in Traditional Owner relationship management, negotiation, partnering, benefit sharing and project procurement structuring in a major infrastructure or projects context.
• Knowledge of Cultural Heritage and Native Title legislation.
• An understanding of relevant State and Commonwealth regulatory requirements relating to major infrastructure projects.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in a client or consulting role.
• An understanding of standard commercial principles/strategies for large infrastructure projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of stakeholders within and across project teams. Prior experience working with jurisdictional stakeholders (e.g. State/Federal bodies) will be highly regarded.
• Strong interpersonal, negotiation, analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Ability to prepare and deliver high-quality communications suitable for management and external stakeholders (both written and verbal).
• Flexible approach to project delivery to accommodate industry, regulatory and policy changes.

Education/Certificates

• Appropriate experience working with Traditional Owner groups in relation to procurement, relationship management, partnerships and benefits sharing.
• Tertiary Qualifications preferred but not essential.
• A current Australian Driver's License.
• An understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• An ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In return some of our benefits to you

• Flexible working: work from home, part time, job share, hybrid options, and additional leave options
• Professional development via projects, industry networks, job rotation, study assistance and more.
• Give back with up to 4 days of volunteering leave per year.
• Reward your hard work with annual performance bonuses (subject to eligibility).
• Embrace a healthier you with our wellness program, discounted health insurance, gym perks and our comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

About Our Process

AEMO values diversity and inclusivity in the workplace, welcoming applications from all backgrounds without regard to age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, parental status, race, or religion. We are dedicated to accommodating applicants' needs during the application or interview process, simply let the us know by emailing us at

If you would like to know more about working at AEMO, please check out our careers page for more information.