Project Manager (Identified Role) – 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

About Ninti

Ninti One is an Indigenous, Supply Nation registered, not-for-profit organisation. Our vision is to build opportunities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, through research, innovation and community engagement. We deliver a range of professional services that work collaboratively with communities and clients to achieve positive social and economic development outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This position is only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants.

Ninti considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 35(1)(b)(ii) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA).

The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and [select appropriate jurisdiction/s from: s s 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), s 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA).

Summary:

We are seeking a dedicated Project Manager to join our team on a 12-month fixed-term contract. The Project Manager is responsible for managing multiple concurrent projects, each with its own contract, scope, deliverables, and reporting requirements. They work with a high degree of autonomy and judgement, balancing overlapping travel, stakeholder engagement, and contractual milestones. The role requires strong skills in strategic planning, relationship management, risk assessment, governance and operational planning. A strong focus is placed on quality delivery, compliance with Departmental requirements, and supporting providers to embed change sustainably over time.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the end-to-end planning, coordination, and delivery of multiple SDAP projects simultaneously, ensuring contractual milestones, deliverables, and reporting obligations are met.
• Manage intensive provider-level support, including preparation for audits, governance strengthening, improvement of operational systems, policies and processes and workforce training and mentoring.
• Coordinate and deliver multiple site visits per provider (typically 5-6 per project), including management of travel and logistics in remote and very remote locations.
• Develop, maintain, and actively manage detailed project plans, schedules, risk registers, workplans and reporting across concurrent projects.
• Build and maintain trusted relationships with individual service providers, Boards, senior leaders, and frontline staff.
• Liaise regularly with Department stakeholders regarding project progress, risks, deliverables, and variations.
• Work closely with multidisciplinary internal teams, consultants, and partners to coordinate complex project inputs.
• Provide tailored, culturally safe advice and guidance to providers between site visits via phone, video conferencing, and email.
• Prepare and submit detailed, provider-specific reports to the Department in line with SDAP contract requirements.
• Track and report progress across multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with contract scope and deliverables.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant qualification or equivalent experience in community development, public health, aged care, or First Nations governance (desirable).
• Demonstrated extensive experience (minimum 5 to 8+ years) working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities/service organisations in engagement, training, consultation, or capability building roles.
• Knowledge of the SDAP program will be highly regarded but not essential
• Demonstrated cultural competence in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, including a strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, and the ongoing impacts experience by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of First Nations society and culture and the challenges impacting First Nations people and communities especially in the context of Ninti’s priority sectors, or a willingness to learn.
• Ability to support the development and management of project plans, reports and project communications.
• High level of communication, interpersonal and writing skills, including the ability to write concisely for documentation.
• Ability to work in an organised and autonomous manner including the ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines.
• Great attention to detail and problem-solving skills to effectively and efficiently support project deliverables with minimal direction and supervision.
• Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Essential Requirements

• To be eligible for employment with Ninti One applicants must be an Australian citizen
• Frequent travel to urban, regional, rural, remote, and very remote locations will be required
• Obtain and satisfy a national police history check
• Obtain a working with children and vulnerable people check
• Hold a current drivers’ licence

Ninti is a child safe organisation and an equal opportunity employer.

Ninti is a committed to child safety and the protection of children and vulnerable people.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, LGBTQIA+ people, and people of all ages.

 Applications close: Friday 18 September 2026

We look forward to receiving your application,

People & Culture & SDAP project teams