Children’s Guardian announces new Aboriginal leadership role
NSW Children’s Guardian Steve Kinmond OAM today announced that recruitment had begun for a new Aboriginal leadership role at the Office of the Children’s Guardian.
The new Aboriginal Assistant Guardian will play an important legislative role in connection with policies, programs and practices relating to the functions of the Office of the Children’s Guardian, being especially focused on improving outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people.
The position is legislated in the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 and, under the Act, can be delegated the power to make reports and conduct formal inquiries, including exercising Royal Commissioner powers.
‘As Children’s Guardian, I have been committed to being guided by senior Aboriginal leaders in the establishment of this critical role,' Mr Kinmond said.
‘I also note that the creation of this role should not be seen as a replacement for a NSW Commissioner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People, which is the subject of ongoing discussions between Aboriginal leaders and government.'
Key functions of the role
- Lead and develop strategic evidence-based advice and recommendations to the Children’s Guardian to shape the organisation's Aboriginal policy, program and practice development, and implementation and review.
- Lead and provide Senior Executive direction to a substantial program, portfolio of programs, or portfolio of functions across the OCG, participating in business planning, negotiating budgets, setting performance expectations, and monitoring and evaluating performance outcomes to contribute to the achievement of OCG objectives and outcomes.
- Establish effective governance, project management and program performance evaluation frameworks to deliver effective program implementation within agreed timelines and budgets, and consistent with the intended outcomes.
- Provide technical direction, coaching and peer review to all OCG staff working on matters affecting Aboriginal Children, Young People and communities, and implement developmental strategies to build capability and capacity to deliver quality policy analysis and address development needs into the future.
‘I look forward to introducing you to the new Aboriginal Assistant Guardian when the recruitment process is complete,’ Mr Kinmond said.
