First Nations Adviser

Position description

Champion Indigenous-led engagement: embed First Nations knowledge and co-design the Indigenous Participation Plan for culturally safe, climate‑resilient water governance.

Contribute to a world where people, communities and the planet thrive.

Tetra Tech International Development is a leading development consulting firm working with government, businesses, and NGOs to solve complex development challenges in the Indo-Pacific region. For more information please visit our website 

The opportunity

• Defined input days and competitive daily rate
• Remote role with travel to Cambodia for in-country engagement
• Lead indigenous participation on a flagship climate investment program

The program

The Australia Cambodia Partnership for Climate Resilience (ACP4Climate) is the flagship climate investment of the Australian Government in Cambodia. Supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, ACP4Climate helps Cambodia adapt to and reduce vulnerability to climate change through improved integrated water resource management and strengthened community-based resilience. Tetra Tech International Development implements ACP4Climate in partnership with the Royal Government of Cambodia. ACP4Climate works with government, private sector, and civil society partners to strengthen national and subnational water planning, guide climate-resilient water investments, and scale inclusive and innovative solutions for climate-resilient water management. ACP4Climate works closely with women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, and marginalized groups to ensure that they shape and benefit from improved water governance.

The role

The First Nations Adviser will lead delivery of the Indigenous Participation Plan and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) practice guidelines, enabling culturally safe engagement with First Nations Australian and Cambodian Indigenous partners. The role will design and deliver cultural‑connection training, facilitate Indigenous‑to‑Indigenous knowledge exchange, provide technical advice to program leadership, quality‑assure deliverables, and strengthen partner capacity. The Adviser will support co‑design processes, represent ACP4Climate in forums, and ensure Indigenous perspectives shape climate‑resilient water governance.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development and delivery of the Indigenous Participation Plan.
• Develop and support implementation of Practice Guidelines for Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).
• Provide strategic advice on culturally safe engagement, protocols and Indigenous participation to program leadership.
• Design and deliver cultural‑connection training for staff, partners and the GEDSI consortium.
• Facilitate Indigenous‑to‑Indigenous knowledge exchange between Australian First Nations advisers and Cambodian Indigenous leaders.
• Support co‑design processes and Indigenous‑led approaches across program activities.
• Quality‑assure GEDSI and Indigenous participation inputs in reports, strategies and deliverables.
• Strengthen capacity of partners and staff on Indigenous participation, cultural safety and ethical use of Indigenous knowledge.
• Represent ACP4Climate in relevant forums, workshops and stakeholder dialogues.
• Advise on culturally appropriate monitoring, learning and adaptation related to Indigenous participation outcomes.

Qualifications

Essential

• Tertiary qualifications in Indigenous Studies, Social Sciences, Environmental Management, Water Governance, Climate Change, International Development, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years’ relevant experience advising on Indigenous engagement, participation or cultural governance (including work with First Nations Australian peoples and/or Indigenous communities).
• Proven experience designing and delivering Indigenous‑led approaches, co‑design processes, and participation frameworks.
• Demonstrated experience integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into environmental management, water governance, climate adaptation, or development programs.
• Strong facilitation and relationship‑building skills, especially in Indigenous‑to‑Indigenous and cross‑cultural contexts.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with ability to produce clear technical and strategic documents.
• High levels of cultural integrity, respect and ethical awareness; commitment to “nothing about us without us” and Indigenous self‑determination.
• Ability to provide strategic advice to senior leadership and quality‑assure deliverables.
• Capacity to work remotely, travel to Cambodia as required, and manage deliverables within agreed input days.

Desirable

• Experience working in Cambodia or Southeast Asia, or in international development contexts.
• Experience working with Indigenous organisations, networks or peak bodies, including capacity strengthening.
• Familiarity with DFAT‑funded programs or donor GEDSI approaches.
• Khmer language skills or demonstrated experience working with Cambodian Indigenous partners.

Application instructions

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