Indigenous STEM Programs Lead (Identified Role - Indigenous)

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land, sea and waters, of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View our vision towards reconciliation.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

The opportunity

• Are you passionate about creating meaningful and lasting impact in Indigenous STEM education?
• Lead the delivery of place-based, culturally grounded programs across Australia.
• Join CSIRO – Australia’s leading scientific research organisation!

CSIRO’s Education and Outreach (CEdO) team is on a mission to build Australia’s STEM capability through transformative, empowering learning experiences. Working in partnership with communities, industry and education sectors, CEdO delivers a portfolio of evidence-based programs that inspire curiosity, connect emerging talent, and foster equity in access to STEM careers.

A key focus of this work is increasing engagement and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in STEM pathways. Current initiatives include:

• Deadly in Generation STEM program (NSW)
• Living STEM (WA)
• Young Indigenous Women’s STEM Academy (National)

We are seeking an Indigenous STEM Programs Lead to oversee and grow the Deadly in Generation STEM and Living STEM programs. In this strategic leadership role, you will guide a geographically dispersed team of Education Project Officers, build trusted relationships with communities, and ensure program delivery reflects cultural integrity, excellence, and meaningful impact.

This is a unique opportunity to help shape long-term outcomes for Indigenous students, support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in STEM, and contribute to the future of Indigenous science education in Australia.

If you thrive in dynamic, collaborative environments and are committed to embedding Indigenous perspectives in education, this role offers a platform to lead with purpose and influence Australia’s inclusive STEM future.

Your duties will include:

• Leading and managing a culturally grounded, geographically dispersed delivery team, including staff onboarding, performance, wellbeing and development.
• Overseeing operational planning, budgeting, reporting and process improvement to meet program KPIs and contractual deliverables.
• Fostering respectful, strengths-based relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, schools, and partners.
• Supporting stakeholder engagement, community-led planning, and co-designed learning activities.
• Contributing to program strategy, design and evaluation, and enhancing team practices through coaching and continuous learning.
• Engaging with CSIRO’s broader Indigenous-led networks and leadership to support cultural governance, collaboration, and Indigenous advancement across CSIRO Education and Outreach. 

Location: Any NSW-based locations (or Work-from-Home/Remotely)

Salary: AU$114K – AU$123K plus 15.4% superannuation

Duration: Specified Term until 31 December 2027

Reference: 100098

To be considered you will need:

Selection Criteria for this role includes but is not limited to:

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (e.g. STEM, Education, Community Engagement, Program or Project Management) and/or equivalent relevant experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander education, engagement, or STEM pathways.
• Demonstrated experience in project and program management, including the ability to lead complex multi-stakeholder initiatives, prioritise and manage competing demands, meet contractual deliverables, and drive continuous improvement across geographically dispersed teams.
• A deep understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and community protocols, and the ability to work with cultural integrity, build trust, and engage respectfully and effectively with First Nations peoples and communities.
• Proven leadership capability, including experience supervising, coaching, and developing staff, managing team performance and wellbeing, and fostering a positive and accountable workplace culture.
• Demonstrated understanding of child safety obligations and a strong personal commitment to maintaining a culturally safe environment for young people, including following child safety practices and procedures, including holding a valid Working with Children Check (or ability to obtain prior to commencement).
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to support program delivery, relationship building, and place-based engagement and hold a current Australian Class C driver’s licence.

For the full list of selection criteria and details on who to contact, please refer to the Position Description.

Eligibility

CSIRO considers the filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity/affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth). The position is therefore only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people with Australian Citizenship.

The successful applicant will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

The successful candidate will be required to provide contact details of at least one Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Referee to confirm their ability to work and communicate respectfully with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a national police check and may be subject to other security/medical/character requirements.

Flexible working arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO, offering a range of options for how, when and where you work. 

Diversity and inclusion

We are working hard to recruit people representing the diversity across our society, and ensure that all our people feel supported to do their best work and feel empowered to let their ideas flourish. 

About CSIRO

At CSIRO Australia's national science agency, we solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. We put the safety and wellbeing of our people above all else and earn trust everywhere because we only deal in facts. We collaborate widely and generously and deliver solutions with real impact. 

CSIRO is committed to values-based leadership to inspire performance and unlock the potential of our people.

Join us and start creating tomorrow today!

How to apply

Please apply online and provide a CV and cover letter outlining your suitability and motivation for the role.

Applications close

Wednesday 25 June 2025 , 11:00pm AEST