August 2010 Dear Applicant Thank you for your interest in the position of Manager, Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development with the Community Arts Network WA Ltd. This position plays a pivotal role in bringing CAN WA’s services and activities to its members and networks. Attached you will find background information about CAN WA, a job description and the selection criteria. All applicants must respond to the selection criteria. The criteria are key to assessing your suitability for the position. Applicants who do not provide a response to the selection criteria will be deemed ineligible for an interview. In summary, all applications must include a response to the selection criteria, your curriculum vitae and the names and contact details of two referees. Any queries in relation to this position can be addressed to Pilar Kasat on 9226 2422. Your application must be received by mail or email (admin@canwa.com.au) marked Private and Confidential by Monday 30 Aug 2010 at 5pm. Applications are to be addressed to: The Managing Director CAN WA PO Box 7514 Cloisters Square WA 6850 Kind regards
Pilar Kasat Managing Director
Community Arts Network WA CAN WA’s vision A future where culture, creativity and the arts are known to be essential for community wellbeing and are at the core of a just, diverse and resilient society. CAN WA’s role Inspire and mobilize Western Australian communities to explore, express and grow their unique and local culture Facilitate and promote participation and engagement in community arts and cultural development for community wellbeing Actively engage in partnership development to facilitate and support community determined arts and culture activities Promote the value of cultural diversity and creativity CAN WA’s values Respect – all people, cultures and the environment Social Justice – engagement and participation for all Creativity – freedom to express identity and culture Resilience – building community strength CAN WA’s Background Founded in the early 1980s, CAN WA evolved from a network of people committed to community arts practice, to its current undertaking of advocacy, training and a range of support for community arts and cultural development practice. Since its incorporation nearly thirty years ago, CAN WA has experienced considerable changes to its internal structure and the nature of its services. However, despite the changes since those early days, CAN WA remains true to its foundation of empowering communities through arts and cultural development. CAN WA is now an incorporated, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee with a membership base. The organisation is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a maximum of 12 individuals from diverse backgrounds of local government, community arts, academia, business, community development, planning, accounting and law. A full-time Managing Director and a team of 13 individuals, six full-time and eight part-time staff, undertake the work at CAN WA. As a membership-based organisation, CAN WA acts as a peak body connecting communities, culture and arts practitioners with support organisations, and facilitating funding and professional development opportunities.
CAN WA has been operating as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) since 1999, establishing the first and only nationally recognised training program in cultural planning in Western Australia. CAN WA is funded by the State Government of Western Australia through the Department of Culture and the Arts (DCA) and by the federal government through the Australia Council for the Arts. CAN WA also attracts funds for projects from diverse sources including other government departments such as the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services & Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) and the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). In addition, CAN WA generates its own income through the development of specialised fee-paying services such as customised training programs and cultural development consultancies.
Duty Statement – Manager Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development This position is classified under Section 50D of the Equal Opportunity Act (A) 1984 and as such Aboriginality is deemed an essential requirement for this position. Full-time @ 37.5 hours/wk (a part time option may be negotiated dependant on the successful applicant). Location: Perth (travel to and from the Wheatbelt on a regular basis) This is a 1 – year contract with a possibility of extension to two more years, subject to funding approval. Salary Range Salary range is $52-62K per annum dependent on experience and qualifications. Superannuation is paid in addition to the salary at the level determined by the Superannuation Guarantee Act. Allowances will be paid towards the use of a private vehicle for work purposes. General Position Requirements The successful applicant will have high – level knowledge, skills and experience in the following areas: • Understanding of the Noongar community and issues relevant to the Perth Metropolitan area and the Wheatbelt region of WA • Leadership skills • Organisational skills • Communication skills including conflict resolution, written and oral communication • Community engagement and community development • Project development and management • Teamwork Function of the position The purpose of the position is to support, manage and facilitate self-determined Aboriginal cultural development across WA focusing on the Perth Metropolitan and Wheatbelt regions. The role includes:
•
• • • •
Managing and supporting the local CAN WA Coordinators Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development (1 in Narrogin, 1 in Kellerberrin) who work in the Wheatbelt region of WA Establish and develop a network of Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development workers Assist in mentoring and training non- Aboriginal staff and other CAN WA partners and stakeholders Assist in developing CAN WA specialist services for Aboriginal engagement for government and the private sector Market and promote CAN WA programs to various media, government and business stakeholders
Key Responsibilities The Manager Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development will: Coordination/Supervision: Manage the operations of the Aboriginal arts and cultural development arm of CAN WA including meeting with local coordinators, provide strategic and project planning skills, facilitate reporting, monitoring of funding and mentoring of staff, trainees and volunteers. Coordinate the activities of local advisory bodies. Foster an effective team environment. Manage and coordinate the delivery of Voices of the Wheatbelt radio program through Noongar Radio. Including profile stories, music programming and broadcasting as required. Advocacy: Raise the profile, awareness and understanding of Aboriginal community cultural development and the work of CAN WA with local businesses, all levels of government, artists, non-government organisations and the community. Network development: Establish and manage an Aboriginal Network of arts and culture officers/workers. Effectively communicate with and build upon networks between key stakeholders, including relevant organisations, advisory committees, local government and the local Indigenous community. Promote networks and collaborative opportunities for Indigenous community members i.e. forums, seminars, community discussions. Project identification & development: Assist CAN WA to indentify areas for service delivery and growth by undertaking a community cultural needs assessment that consults with Aboriginal organizations, key community leaders and Elders. Develop a preliminary action plan in conjunction with CAN WA staff, for the development of future projects and training. Identify and broker access to funding sources in order to implement the action plan.
Assist in the evaluation of local cultural projects with the intention of documenting and enhancing future cultural initiatives in CAN WA target regions. Assist in the promotion of community cultural development opportunities in the CAN WA targeted regions. Skill development and Training: Identify skill shortages in the area of arts and cultural project development and management and identify training needs and opportunities. Maintain regular contact with CAN WA staff for continued mentoring and training needs and opportunities for all CAN WA office staff. Work with CAN WA Manager Training and Business Development to develop and deliver training opportunities and products. Deliver accredited and non-accredited training on behalf of CAN WA. Organisational: Develop policy, such as a dispute resolution policy, that assists in CAN WA’s ability to work with the community. Travel regularly to required locations including surrounding rural areas and CAN WA’s Perth office. Reporting Mechanisms CAN WA Managing Director. Bi-monthly reports to the CAN WA Board of Directors. Performance Measures • •
• • • •
Provision of accurate information and reports Liaison with the Aboriginal communities in the targeted regions, advisory committee, and other CAN WA staff members in a manner that supports the values of the organisation Establish and develop a network of Aboriginal Arts and Cultural Development workers Achievement of stipulated performers indicators Participation as a team member in planning and development for the organisation Demonstration of sound problem solving initiatives
Selection Criteria All applicants MUST address the selection criteria to be considered eligible for the position. ESSENTIAL •
Strong management and organisational skills, including managing budgets
•
Excellent communication skills, both written and interpersonal and demonstrated experience in conflict resolution/mediation
•
Experience coordinating community arts and cultural focused projects
•
Ability to work closely with a range of community stakeholders including schools, local govt, other government departments artists, Indigenous and non-Indigenous community groups
•
Experience working with Aboriginal communities in a cultural context and an understanding of the issues relevant to Aboriginal people in WA and in particular Noongar people of the Wheatbelt region
•
Ability to travel regularly between the Wheatbelt and Perth
•
Current C Class Drivers License and Working With Children Check
DESIRABLE •
Understanding of the Not-For-Profit Sector
•
Experience in radio broadcast