The Jawun Program is a professional development opportunity for government sector staff to contribute their skills to support Aboriginal economic development while learning about Aboriginal culture and history.
About the program
Jawun means ‘friend’ or ‘family’ in the Kuku Yalanji language of Cape York, Queensland and reflects the partnership focus of the program.
Government agencies and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities work together to create practical change and establish meaningful connections between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians. This collaboration drives impact, leading to measurable, Indigenous-led change.
Staff selected by Jawun for the program are placed in a participating regional Aboriginal corporation to work for 6 or 12 weeks. Placements are in the East Kimberley, West Kimberley, Pilbara and South West.
Examples of previous work that participants have undertaken are on the Jawun website.
To reduce the risk of exposing Aboriginal communities to COVID-19, all staff selected for the program must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please refer to the Jawun COVID-19 Vaccination Policy before submitting your application.
What skills are required?
The program seeks staff with skills in:
- data analytics, cleansing, analysis and visualisation
- human resource management
- policy development
- project planning and management
- strategy development
- information technology
- communications and marketing.
Who can apply?
The program is open to all Public Sector CSA Agreement staff at Level 7 and above (and equivalent) who have an interest in working with Aboriginal communities and are high performing leaders with skills they are willing to share. Past alumni of the Jawun Program are welcome to reapply.
Interested staff must first seek approval from their manager.
What are the costs?
The program cost for placements in the East Kimberley, West Kimberley and Pilbara is approximately $10,000, and the South West is approximately $2,000. This includes accommodation costs, 4 wheel drive training and cultural awareness.
Salary and program costs are paid by the participant’s agency and vary depending on the location, size of the group being placed and accommodation availability. Agencies are also responsible for paying travel costs and any travel or meals allowances.
Participants are responsible for managing payment of Jawun invoices through their agency’s finance team.
How to apply?
Interested staff can apply at any time during the year but there are cut off dates for applications for each of the 4 annual intakes. Cut off dates are included below.
To apply submit a completed application form and a current resume by email to your agency coordinator or directly to Jawun Regional Director Aaron Bodestyne on abodestyne@jawun.org.au.
Jawun’s coordinators arrange interviews, and advise applicants if they are successful in receiving a placement and the project they have been allocated to.
How is travel and accommodation organised?
Jawun coordinators organise travel and accommodation and communicate with participants directly.
Participants may share accommodation with others (separate rooms with shared facilities) or they may camp under the stars.
Individual projects may involve placements or visits to remote communities. While living in a remote community, any outings to surrounding areas or proposed visits by friends and family members (at their own expense) must be discussed with the Jawun regional director and corporation.
What are the dates?
There are 4 intakes each year:
- Round 1: between February and April
- Round 2: between May and June
- Round 3: between July and September
- Round 4: between October and 1 December
Dates for 2024 applications will be available soon.
