Expression of Interest: Chief Executive Officer

The Ngarluma Yindjibarndi Foundation Ltd (NYFL) Group is seeking Expressions of Interest from Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people for the role of Chief Executive Officer.

This is an identified position. Being a Ngarluma and/or Yindjibarndi person is a genuine occupational requirement for this role under section 50(d) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA). NYFL may also rely on section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) as a measure intended to achieve equality and support self-determination through Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi leadership.

About the role

The Chief Executive Officer is responsible for the operational leadership, governance support, service delivery, people leadership and community-facing work of NYFL. The CEO ensures NYFL operates as a strong, accountable, culturally grounded and community-focused organisation delivering practical outcomes for Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi members and the broader Ngarda-ngarli (Aboriginal) community.

Role context

NYFL is a Traditional Owner-led organisation working with and for Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people and the wider Ngarda-ngarli (Aboriginal) community of Ieramugadu (Roebourne) and surrounding areas.

NYFL’s work includes community programs, employment pathways, Member Services, school attendance and family support, food security, local service delivery, data sovereignty, community advocacy, governance, and partnership work.

The CEO role requires strong community trust, practical operational discipline, cultural humility, governance maturity and the ability to work respectfully with Traditional Owners, Elders, members, staff, funders, government, industry and partner organisations.

Key responsibilities

1. Operational leadership

Lead the day-to-day operations of NYFL, ensuring programs, services and business units are well managed, appropriately resourced and aligned with Board direction.

Responsibilities include:

• oversee NYFL’s management team who deliver core programs, services and operational functions;

• ensure the General Manager and operational leads have clear priorities, accountabilities and reporting lines;

• monitor program performance, risks, staffing, budgets and compliance;

• support continuous improvement across NYFL operations;

• ensure operational decisions are practical, culturally informed and community-focused;

• ensure staff are supported to deliver high-quality services in a complex community environment.

2. Community focus and member service

Ensure NYFL remains deeply connected to members, Traditional Owners and the broader Ngarda-ngarli community.

Responsibilities include:

• maintain strong relationships with Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi members, Elders, families and community leaders;

• ensure Member Services is delivered fairly, transparently and within approved policy settings;

• support culturally safe and community-responsive service delivery;

• ensure NYFL’s programs respond to real community needs, including cost of living, employment, education, food security, wellbeing and local service gaps;

• maintain a visible and trusted presence in Ieramugadu / Roebourne;

• ensure community feedback is heard and properly escalated where required.

3. Board support and governance

Support the Board to meet its governance, fiduciary and strategic responsibilities.

Responsibilities include:

• prepare clear and timely Board papers, CEO reports, agendas and decision papers;

• implement Board resolutions and report on progress;

• support constitutional compliance, including AGMs, Progress Meetings and member communications;

• maintain appropriate governance calendars, registers, policies and delegations;

• ensure conflicts of interest, risk, compliance and reporting matters are properly managed;

• provide frank, balanced and practical advice to the Board;

• support Directors to remain focused on governance, strategy, risk and accountability.

4. Financial management and accountability

Ensure NYFL is financially well managed and operates within approved budgets and delegations.

Responsibilities include:

• work with the Finance Officer / finance function to prepare budgets, reports and forecasts;

• monitor financial performance and cash flow;

• ensure program funding is acquitted and reported properly;

• manage expenditure within delegated authority;

• identify financial risks early and escalate them to the Board;

• support audit preparation and annual financial reporting;

• ensure funding agreements are understood and implemented responsibly.

5. People and culture

Lead a strong, safe, accountable and values-based workplace.

Responsibilities include:

• support managers to lead their teams effectively;

• maintain a workplace culture aligned with NYFL values: Excellence, Togetherness, Culture, Leadership and Integrity;

• manage recruitment, performance, development and workforce planning;

• support Traditional Owner employment and leadership pathways within NYFL;

• ensure staff are clear on roles, expectations and accountability;

• actively manage psychosocial hazards, staff wellbeing and workplace safety;

• ensure performance issues are addressed fairly and promptly;

• build a respectful, capable and culturally safe team.

6. Program delivery and compliance

Ensure NYFL programs are delivered effectively and in accordance with funding, legal and policy obligations.

Responsibilities include:

• oversee key operational programs, including Store Maya, WY Program, EEAI, Member Services, CRC, Data Unit and other approved programs;

• ensure funding agreements, reporting requirements and compliance obligations are met;

• identify where government compliance requirements are disproportionate or misaligned with community-led delivery;

• escalate major program risks to the Board;

• maintain appropriate program policies, procedures and controls;

• ensure operational reporting is clear, evidence-based and useful for decision-making.

7. Partnerships and stakeholder relationships

Maintain practical operational relationships with key partners, funders and stakeholders.

Responsibilities include:

• work respectfully with MAC, NAC, NBAC, YNL, government agencies, funders, service providers and local organisations;

• support collaboration where it improves outcomes for members and community;

• ensure NYFL’s role is clear and does not displace the authority of Native Title bodies, cultural authorities or Traditional Owner-appointed entities;

• maintain constructive relationships with funders and partners;

• support operational MoUs and partnership arrangements approved by the Board;

• represent NYFL professionally and consistently in external forums.

8. Risk, compliance and organisational controls

Maintain effective organisational controls and escalate key risks to the Board.

Responsibilities include:

• oversee the risk register and risk reporting;

• monitor operational, financial, legal, compliance, reputational and people risks;

• ensure policies remain current and operationally useful;

• support compliance with workplace health and safety, employment law, charity law, funding obligations and relevant corporate governance requirements;

• manage incident reporting and serious risk escalation;

• ensure decisions are documented and defensible.

9. Strategic Plan implementation

Drive the community-focussed aspects of and operational delivery of the NYFL Strategic Plan.

Responsibilities include:

• translate the Strategic Plan into annual operational priorities;

• cascade strategic priorities into management KPIs and program plans;

• report to the Board on progress against the Strategic Plan;

• ensure programs and operations align to the five strategic priorities;

• identify operational barriers to delivery and propose practical solutions;

• support the Board to monitor whether NYFL is delivering on its agreed direction.

To submit an expression of Interest, please provide your response to the below, by email to ••••@nyfl.org.au or by submitting hard copy to the NYFL office at 42 Roe Street, Roebourne WA, 6718, or by post to PO 102 Roebourne, WA 6718.

Expression of Interest Questions – NYFL CEO

1. What strengths would you bring to NYFL?

2. What leadership experience do you have? This can include work, community, cultural, family, Board, business, program or advocacy experience.

3. NYFL has a strong, community-led Strategic Plan. How would you continue to deliver this plan?

4. What interests you about the NYFL CEO role?

5. How would you support a strong, respectful and accountable workplace culture?

6. How would you work with the NYFL Board, staff, members, Elders and community?

7. Please briefly tell us about your connection to NYFL, Ieramugadu (Roebourne), Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi people, or the broader Ngarda-ngarli (Aboriginal) community.

8. If any, what support, mentoring or training would help you succeed in the CEO role?

9. Are you available to be based in, or regularly work from, Ieramugadu (Roebourne) where NYFL is headquartered?

10. Are there major barriers stopping you from pursuing or considering the role. If so, what are these barriers?

11. Please provide the names of two referees, if available.

12. Are you an NYFL member?

• Yes

• No