About South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON)
SAACCON is a representative body made up of South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and peak bodies. 

About the role

The SAACCON Principal Advisor supports the South Australian Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation Network (SAACCON), which provides advice, recommendations and guidance to the South Australian Government on the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

This position provides high level policy and communications advice for SAACCON and is expected to engage, negotiate and advocate for SAACCON members on all Closing the Gap (CtG) policy matters with the State Government. This is an Aboriginal Identified position.

As the Principal Advisor, you will:

• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders across all SAACCON levels.
  
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including research bodies, the State CtG Productivity Forum Director, and implementation partners.
  
• Lead and mentor a small team, promote cross-team collaboration, and escalate issues when necessary.
  
• Represent SAACCON in policy forums, negotiating and advocating with state agencies.
  
• Maintain effective partnerships across government departments.
  
• Contribute to inter-agency meetings impacting Closing the Gap (CtG) targets.
  
• Support development and delivery of complex, cross-government policies and projects aligned with CtG Priority Reforms.
  
• Conduct research and analysis to inform briefs, submissions, and policy documents with practical, evidence-based solutions.
  
• Provide clear, evidence-informed advice to the Health portfolio and SAACCON members.
  
• Promote the organisation’s values and culture through open, collaborative communication.
  
• Engage in ongoing professional development and training to support continuous learning.

The successful candidate will have the Key Selection Criteria of:

• Tertiary qualifications or minimum 4 years’ experience in a similar role.

• Strong knowledge of the Closing the Gap Framework and Priority Reforms.
• Proven ability to communicate sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal skills to build and maintain effective relationships.
• Skilled in mediation, negotiation, and advocacy across diverse stakeholders.

Special Conditions

• In accordance with Section 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), applicants for this position must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.
• A National Police Clearance and a Working With Children Check is required for the position.
• A current and valid South Australia driver’s license and willingness to drive is essential.
• Some work outside of ordinary hours of duty will be required.
• Some travel on light aircraft may be required.
• The role is based in Adelaide CBD on Kaurna Land and intra and inter-state travel including overnight absences will also be required.

This position is a Long-Term Secure Contract to June 2027 with a salary range at Level 7 under the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award (SCHADS).

Application Instructions:

Please click on the Apply button to send us your latest resume, or reach out to Anita for more information anita@murrapartners.com

All applications must be submitted online.

Your application must address all Key Selection Criteria as listed above. Provide examples outlining your skills, experience, and knowledge of each criterion, and how you put them into practice. It is important that you identify skills you may have which are not explicitly specified in the Role Descriptor and yet, in your opinion, would enable you to perform well in the position.