Registration Delegate

Job No: FedCourt148

Location: Cairns, QLD

Closing Date: 29 Jan 2019 AEDT

Registry: National Native Title Tribunal
Section: Applications & Registration team
Classification: Executive Level 1
Salary: $98,358 – 106,225 per annum, plus superannuation
Job Type: Ongoing, full-time
Reports to: Applications & Registration Manager

Overview of Agency
The Federal Court of Australia (the Entity) is a non-Corporate listed entity for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (PGPA Act) and a statutory agency for the purposes of the Public Service Act 1999. The Entity supports the operations of the Federal Court of Australia (FCA), Family Court of Australia (FCoA), the Federal Circuit Court of Australia (FCC) and the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT). The FCA, FCoA and FCC are Chapter III Courts under the Australian Constitution and continue to operate as individual judicial jurisdictions.

Organisational Context
The National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) is an authority established by the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) which has offices in four Australian States.

The Tribunal comprises a President and members, who are appointed by the Governor General under the Act to make decisions, conduct inquiries, reviews and mediations, and assist various parties with native title applications, and Indigenous Land Use Agreements.

The Tribunal is supported by the Native Title Registrar (Registrar), who together with the President and members, have separate and specific functions and responsibilities to perform under the Act. Staff assisting the Tribunal and the Registrar are employed by the Federal Court of Australia.

Position Overview
Registration Delegates are delegated the Registrar’s powers to make registration decisions in relation to native title applications and applications for registration of indigenous land use agreements (ILUAs). All decisions are done on the papers submitted with the applications and other papers received and require a thorough analysis of factual documentation and written submissions, against a series of criteria set out in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

The Registration Delegate works closely with employees in all NNTT registries but is responsible for the decision and reasoning in each matter. As well as deciding whether applications meet the criteria the delegate provides assistance to applicants and others in relation to the requirements for registration.

In addition to making registration decisions on behalf of the Registrar, the Registration Delegate will approve entries on the NNTT Registers including the National Native Title Register, provide high-level advice to internal and external stakeholders in relation to the registration of native title claims and ILUAs and contribute to the development of information products and training programs related to the registration process. The delegate will also undertake any other task or project required by the Applications & Registration Manager.

The Registration Delegate will report to the Applications & Registration Manager and is responsible for supporting the Applications & Registration Manager in providing assistance to the President and members of the Tribunal and the Registrar in the discharge of their functions and powers under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).

Information about the registration conditions:
The claims registration test is an administrative test applied by the Registration Delegate. The test determines whether claimants gain the benefit of certain procedural rights (including the ‘right to negotiate’) pending the making of a determination of native title. Information about the claim registration test is found in Part 7 of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and in Part 4 of Schedule 5 of the Native Title Amendment Act 1998.

Indigenous Land Use Agreements are voluntary agreements that relate to native title. Registration of an ILUA binds all the native title holders for the ILUA area. Information about Registration of ILUAs is found in Subdivisions A to E of Division 3 of Part 2 and in Part 8A of the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
Tribunal procedural information about claim and ILUA registration processes may be found on our website at www.nntt.gov.au

Decisions are reviewable either through the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) or the Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 (Cth).

Major Activities

• Undertake high quality registration decisions in relation to claims and ILUAs including key/highly complex applications.
• Check and approve extracts on the NNTT Registers, including the National Native Title Registrar.
• Provide high level support to the Applications & Registration Manager, including ensuring compliance with NNTT processes and procedures, and by contributing to the development and maintenance of professional resources for delegates. 
• Ensure a high standard of decisions by managing timeframes and workloads, assessing priorities, recording outputs, expert editing and reviewing of decisions, ensuring consistency of practice, and reporting to the Applications & Registration Manager.
• Foster a culture of expert knowledge, development and sharing of the specialist subject area, including through the provision of training and expert information to other delegates, internal and external colleagues and clients as required.
• Promote and foster within the Applications & Registration team a culture of effective relationships with Tribunal staff and external clients and stakeholders.
• Participate in projects and activities relating to registration, and particularly in relation to proposed changes to the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth).
• Support the Applications & Registration Manager to plan, manage and monitor risk, and ensure the business continuity and cost effectiveness of the Applications & Registration team.
• Identify and take ownership of complex issues, proposing resolutions and supporting the direction of the NNTT in accordance with the organisation’s strategic direction.
• Apply approved records and information management practices in compliance with the NNTT Records & Information Management Policy and Procedures.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the NNTT’s corporate governance framework and actively participate in operational planning when required.
• Perform other duties as reasonably required and directed.

Competencies & Attributes

• Possess and demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Possess and demonstrate an ability to communicate sensitively with and demonstrate cultural understanding of, and respect for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Possess demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to lead with resolve and inspire and motivate individuals and teams.
• Demonstrate the ability to develop complex strategies, identify problems and options for their resolution, remaining open to change.
• Possess well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to represent the NNTT in a variety of forums displaying discretion, integrity and sensitivity.
• Maintain a high level of integrity of data held within the systems of the NNTT by ensuring data entry is correct and an accurate reflection of the status of matters.
• Display clear and positive communication with internal and external parties, able to present information in a clear, concise and articulate manner, able to focus on key points and use appropriate, unambiguous language.
• Demonstrate a commitment to maintain a currency of knowledge in native title and related areas.
• Demonstrate extensive understanding of and compliance with relevant government legislation and policy frameworks, including the requirements for sound administrative decision-making
• Possess a minimum of five years’ experience in the native title regime with knowledge of the Act, relevant statutory functions of the Tribunal and the Registrar and a demonstrated ability to comprehend and apply the provisions of the Act.

Formal Qualifications
This position requires demonstrated experience in administrative decision making and a thorough knowledge of native title law. A legal qualification or direct relevant experience will be highly regarded.

Selection Criteria

1. Possessing and demonstrating an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
2. Possessing and demonstrating an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
3. Demonstrated in-depth knowledge of native title, the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth), Tribunal and Native Title Registrar’s functions and use of technical knowledge and skills to achieve the NNTT’s key functions and responsibilities, striving for continuous improvement, managing resources efficiently and effectively.
4. Demonstrated ability to apply legislative, procedural and administrative frameworks to high-level decision-making and problem solving.
5. High-level communication and interpersonal skills, including clearly and succinctly conveying and receiving information through active listening, interpreting, formulating and delivering. 
6. Proven ability to respond effectively to a changing environment, understand and communicate strategies, identify and act upon opportunities for improvements, contribute to the development of priorities that align with key responsibilities and objectives. 
7. Demonstrated ability to promote a team ‘service culture’ that is client-centred and effectively meets the needs of clients (internal / external) including positively influencing people and events through keeping people informed, promoting team effectiveness, and communicating the NNTT’s vision, purpose and values. 
8. Demonstrating and modelling APS values and appropriate, professional conduct.

Please Note: This vacancy is advertised as an ‘identified position’ as both the role and the work of the National Native Title Tribunal have a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. Successful applicants are required to have knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people (criteria 1 & 2 above).

Successful applicants will be expected to provide a reference from an Indigenous referee, where possible, to confirm they can meet these requirements.

For further information about Identified Positions, see http://www.apsc.gov.au/managing-in-the-aps/indigenous/identified-positions.

Eligibility
Employment with the Federal Court of Australia is subject to the requirement of the Public Service Act 1999. The following requirements also apply:

• Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must be an Australian citizenship, unless the Chief Operating Officer waives that requirement.
• National Police Check – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check, and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
• Health clearance – the successful applicant must be fit for duties and will be required to complete a health declaration and may be required to attend a medical assessment to confirm their fitness for duty.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an Australian Public Service agency are welcome to apply, but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired, unless the Public Service Commissioner agrees.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job seekers and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply
To be considered you will need to upload a comprehensive statement of claims against the selection criteria and attach an up to date resume by 11:55pm AEDT on 28 January 2019.

For more information contact Radhika Prasad, Applications & Registration Manager, by email radhika.prasad@nntt.gov.au or phone (02) 9227 4016.

Indigenous contact officer for this position: Tracey Jefferies, by email Tracey.Jefferies@nntt.gov.au or phone (07) 3307 5019.

Please note once you submit your application you will not be able to edit it.