Senior First Nations Education Lead

Guided by our First Nations Strategic Workforce Framework 2026–2030, UniSQ is committed to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Peoples of Australia and custodians of the world’s oldest continuing living cultures. We respect the diversity of more than 200 Nations across this continent, honouring distinct knowledges, languages, cultures, lore/law and spiritual systems. The University recognises First Nations knowledges as vital to all fields of teaching, research and community engagement, and values the scholarship and expertise First Nations staff bring to our institution. By supporting participation in cultural and community life and working in genuine partnership with Elders and communities, UniSQ strives to be a leader in responsive, respectful and culturally safe education and engagement.

The First Nations Portfolio encourages and supports the further education of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The portfolio has a continuing commitment to, and involvement in, the Indigenous community of the region. 

Who you are

We are seeking an accomplished and passionate First Nations academic leader to join our First Nations Education and Research team. In this influential role, you will provide strategic leadership across the University, championing the integration of First Nations knowledges and perspectives into curriculum, advancing culturally responsive teaching practices, and supporting positive outcomes for First Nations students and communities.

As a respected First Nations academic, you are committed to educational excellence, cultural leadership, and creating meaningful impact through higher education. You bring experience in curriculum innovation, learning and teaching excellence, and the successful inclusion of First Nations perspectives in academic programs. Motivated by the opportunity to shape institutional practice, you are skilled at fostering collaborative partnerships with colleagues, students, communities, and external stakeholders.

With a doctoral qualification and recognised expertise in tertiary education, you can provide strategic guidance on curriculum design, culturally responsive pedagogies, and scholarly teaching practice. Most importantly, you value authentic engagement with First Nations communities and understand the critical role these partnerships play in enhancing student success and strengthening educational outcomes.

What you'll do

As the Senior First Nations Education Lead, you will provide specialist leadership in advancing First Nations education priorities across UniSQ. Working closely with Schools, academic staff and the broader First Nations Portfolio, you will:

• Lead and support the design, development and review of curriculum that embeds First Nations knowledges, perspectives and pedagogies.
• Provide expert advice and guidance to academic staff on culturally responsive teaching practices and curriculum design.
• Deliver professional development and capability-building initiatives that strengthen First Nations education across the University.
• Contribute to scholarly teaching innovation, leadership and evidence-based educational practice.
• Foster strong partnerships with First Nations communities, organisations and stakeholders to inform teaching and learning.
• Support strategic initiatives that enhance First Nations student success and improve educational outcomes.
• Contribute to University-wide goals by championing inclusive, culturally safe and impactful learning environments.

What will help you succeed

To thrive in this role, you will bring:

• A doctoral qualification and significant expertise in higher education teaching and learning.
• Demonstrated success embedding First Nations knowledges and perspectives within curriculum and educational practice.
• Experience in curriculum design, development, review and educational leadership.
• Strong knowledge of culturally responsive and inclusive pedagogies.
• The ability to influence, mentor and support academic colleagues across diverse disciplines.
• Established relationships, or the ability to build and maintain trusted relationships, with First Nations communities and stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, collaboration and stakeholder engagement skills.

This is an identified position and is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For this position, it is a genuine occupational requirement that it be filled by an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as permitted under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld).

For further information about this role, please contact Associate Professor John Davis, Dean (First Nations Education and Research) via +61 7 3812 6089 or **********@unisq.edu.au.

Building on its strengths as Australia’s leading regional university, UniSQ partners closely with its communities to drive innovation and create opportunity through education and research. Guided by our values of respect, integrity, and excellence, UniSQ’s Strategic Plan 2026–2030 sets a clear ambition: to be Australia’s most transformative university by embracing our regional identity, fostering inclusive learning and research environments, and delivering globally relevant outcomes with strong local impact.

The University offers a range of different ways of working and connecting across our physical and virtual spaces to meet the needs of our students, partners and community. We value diversity and strive to foster an inclusive environment that is underpinned by our values and champions, embraces and respects differences.

We support and encourage applications from all diversity groups. With an increasingly diverse workforce, we understand that careers may be placed on hold or limited throughout many life circumstances.

Find out more about UniSQ at www.unisq.edu.au.

Reference Number: 0150_07/26

Location: On the lands of the Jagera, Yuggera and Ugarapul people (Ipswich) and/or Giabal and Jarowair people (Toowoomba)

Term: Full-time continuing appointment (37.5 hours/week)

Salary: Total remuneration range $168,032 to $193,129 pa (includes salary range of $141,710 to $162,875 pa, employer super contributions of 17% and annual leave loading)

Closes: Sunday, 20 September 2026 at 11:30 pm (AEST)

At UniSQ we are united by our core values of Respect, Integrity and Excellence, which guide our daily actions and decision-making.  UniSQ is a child safe organisation.

As part of the University of Southern Queensland's commitment to fostering a safe, respectful and rewarding work environment and in compliance with our legal obligations, we require candidates to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender Based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender Based Violence, during the course of their previous employment or in any legal process.

This information helps us meet our legal obligations under the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender Based Violence, and will be considered when determining a candidate's suitability for employment, so that we can keep our University community safe.

Applications:

• For more information on our selection process please refer to your recruitment journey available on our website.
• As part of your application please submit:

• a copy of your current resume
• a two-page (maximum) statement, outlining your skills and experience relative to ‘Who we’re looking for’ in the position description

The University of Southern Queensland acknowledges the First Nations of southern Queensland and their ongoing connection to Country, lands, and waterways. Further, we recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first educators and researchers of Australia. We pay deep respect to Elders past and present.