Acquisitions Officer

Acquisitions Officer APS Level 5 This is an Identified position

AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 1 Who we are

We are Australia's only national institution focused exclusively on the diverse history,

cultures, and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia. We house the

world's most important and extensive collection of cultural information and material, and

we provide leadership, publish, and promote greater understanding and appreciation of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We create opportunities for people the world

over to engage with and be transformed by the knowledge, the culture, and the story of

Australia's Indigenous peoples. We are Australia's national institution for leadership in

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research.

What we do

We care for a priceless collection, including films, photographs, video, and audio recordings

as well as the world's largest collection of printed and other resource materials for

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. We undertake and encourage scholarly,

ethical, community-based research in a variety of sectors, including health, native title,

languages, and education. Our publishing house, Aboriginal Studies Press, regularly

publishes outstanding writing that promotes Australian Indigenous cultures.

Our activities affirm and raise awareness of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.

Our functions are established under the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Studies Act 1989.

These functions are to:

provide access to a national collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

use that national collection to strengthen and promote knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage.

provide leadership in the fields of: ? Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander research; and ?

activities relating to collections associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples; and use (including use for research) of that national

collection and other collections containing Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander culture and heritage.

lead and promote collaborations and partnerships among the academic, research, non-government, business and government sectors and

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in support of the other

functions of the Institute. provide advice to the Commonwealth on the situation and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage. We are an Australian Government statutory authority. The Minister responsible for AIATSIS is

the Hon Linda Burney MP, Minister for Indigenous Australians.

AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 2 ACQUISITIONS OFFICER







Vacancy Information Job Reference 85_04/24

Classification APS Level 5

No. of vacancies 1

Salary $80,341 - $87,572

Group Collections Services

Area Development and Management

Employment Status Ongoing

Hours Full Time 36.75

Close Date 11.30pm Sunday 21 April 2024

Contact Person Sidha Pandian







AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 3 About the Group

The Collections Services Group is responsible for the development, management, and

preservation of the AIATSIS Collection. The Group manages, describes, preserves, and digitises

the AIATSIS Collection.

About the Program Area



Collection Development and Care (CDC) sits within the Collection Services Group and is

comprised of four units. CDC's purpose is to develop, conserve and preserve Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage material in the AIATSIS collection in a culturally safe

manner using best practice processes, technology, and support. CDC is responsible for

developing, describing, and cataloguing the AIATSIS print and published collection, engaging

with donors and depositors to expand the Collection, curating domestic and international

display and exhibitions (online and physical), implementing collection care practices. facilitating

loans and managing the rights environment of the AIATSIS collection. CDC works closely with

Collection Management, Collection Preservation and Digitisation and Collection Access teams

to support the discoverability and accessibility of the AIATSIS collection for all Australians.







About the Role



The key responsibilities of the role include:

undertake assessments of material offered to the AIATSIS collection. support senior staff by identifying opportunities to improve workflow efficiencies, providing sound advice and recommendations.

draft and update reports, policies, and procedural documents. contribute to cross-unit and cross-program projects, and proactively facilitate and support the work of other units, as a member of the Collection Development and

Management program.



AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 4 Cultural capability



The ideal candidate will come with the following cultural capabilities:

Understands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business within the agency and the outcomes the agency is responsible for delivering. Understands the protocols for providing culturally appropriate services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Shows sensitivity and respect for culture in responding to individual needs and circumstances. Understands the role of Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) and Indigenous Data Sovereignty in a national collecting institution.

Our ideal candidate



The ideal candidate will come with the skills, experience and attributes shown below:

Demonstrated understanding of how a major specialist collection can meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and researchers. This includes familiarity

with contemporary best practice in the development and care of Indigenous collections,

Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property Rights, and the ethics of using collection

material to share Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories. Demonstrated experience in collection management and documentation, strong research, and analytical skills, particularly in relation to assessing suitability of material

for the AIATSIS Collection. Including appropriate care and handling of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander artwork, cultural and heritage materials. Ability to develop positive relationships with key stakeholders, collaborate across teams and convey information about the collection.

AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 5 What we offer We understand that you will work best when you have a healthy work-life balance and can

attend to your family commitments. That is why we offer,

Great salary conditions including individual flexible salary arrangements

(negotiated).

15.4% Superannuation

Competitive leave entitlements, including 20 days annual leave, 18 days personal leave, up

to 14 weeks maternity leave and other parental leave, and the ability to purchase extra

leave.

Paid leave during end of year shutdown

Health benefits including, reimbursements for health promotion activities, eye health and flu

vaccinations.

Flexible working conditions



Opportunities for further education, professional development and study assistance will be

available. You can also expect personal development planning activities and to work in a

supportive learning environment.

Who to contact For enquiries about this job please contact Sidha Pandian , ,

If you are experiencing any difficulties accessing or submitting your online application,

please contact the AIATSIS Recruitment Team



How to apply

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Apply

through our online recruitment system (eRecruit)

Closing Date 11.30pm (AEDST) on Sunday 21 April 2024



You will need to address both the Cultural Capability (no more than 500 words) and our ideal

candidate (no more than 750 words) sections, in your response. Provide a succinct summary

outlining why you are interested in this position and why you believe that you have the

cultural capability, skills, knowledge, and experience to be considered for this role. Please

provide examples which demonstrate your ability to perform the duties of the position.

AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 6 Your cultural competency will carry more weight than other factors in the assessment.

These requirements are based on the information provided to you as part of the job

opportunity.

Do not simply state that you meet the requirements - it is essential that you provide

examples from your current or past role(s) which demonstrate how you meet each of the

key areas or points. You should focus on how your experience, achievements and

capabilities will enable you to successfully undertake the responsibilities of the role(s).

Applicants are also required to submit a current CV/resume.

If you need assistance developing your response, you may want to refer to the applying

for jobs on the Australian Public Service Commission website:

Identified positions

Identified positions are roles that require people to understand the issues affecting Indigenous

Australians and a proven ability to communicate sensitively with them. These requirements are

generally for jobs that involve providing services or developing policies for Indigenous

Australians, and/or direct interaction with Indigenous communities.



Identified positions are crucial in ensuring that the APS has the right people working on

initiatives to improve the delivery of services and close the gap between Indigenous and non-

Indigenous Australians and are open to all Australian citizens.



At AIATSIS all positions are Identified positions where candidates are required to demonstrate

an understanding of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures,

and their issues and to be able to communicate respectfully with them.



You must provide the name and contact details of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

referee. This referee will be contacted to determine your cultural capability.





What is Cultural Capability?

As all positions at AIATSIS are 'Identified' each position will have various elements of

involvement with the delivery of Indigenous specific services, programs, and policies as part of

AIATSIS core functions. AIATSIS therefore needs to also identify the cultural knowledge; skills

and personal attributes needed to deliver the required outcomes.



Every part of how we work, who we work with and for, requires varying levels of knowledge of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, protocols and an understanding of issues that

enable effective communication and ultimately effective performance in the role. To assist you in

determining the required cultural capabilities of this role, you can refer to the Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Cultural Capability - A Framework for Commonwealth Agencies



AIATSIS Application Pack APS5 Acquisitions Officer | 7