Music Development Officer
Job No:
22146
Location:
Wingellina, WA and surrounding
- The perfect role for someone with a passion for music, travel and training!
- Use your music industry experience to pass on skills in recording, performance and music business to people across 14 WA communities!
- Amazing opportunity - job share arrangements mean you work 2 months on, 2 months off, in the spectacular Wingellina region!
About the Organisation
Ngaanyatjarra Media is a pioneering Indigenous-owned media organisation supporting 14 remote communities in the Western Desert region of Western Australia. Yarnangu (Aboriginal people of the region) are using media and communications technologies to tell their own stories using their own voice. Ngaanyatjarra Media and the new regional Media and Communications Centre is based in Irrunytju (Wingellina) Community.
Ngaanyatjarra Media is the only service provider of its kind in the region and has naturally expanded through the extension of programs and the growing demand for its services and products, in particular its vital role in preserving the Ngaanyatjarra culture in various media forms. The organisation has a strong history of Yarnangu ownership and participation in its programs, and has a good knowledge of community needs and aspirations. Ngaanyatjarra Media maintains a close working relationship with Ngaanyatjarra Council and its constituent communities, Shire of Ngaanyatjarraku and all agencies working in the region.
Ngaanyatjarra Media provides local radio and television production as well as broadcast and distribution of cultural, educational and training programs in Ngaanyatjarra language. Video projects are chosen according to key community priorities, being cultural and language based projects, promotion of health and wellbeing, social and political development, and projects of interest and enjoyment for Yarnangu.
About the Region
The Ngaanyatjarra Lands are in the far east of Western Australia, adjoining the Northern Territory and South Australia borders. This area spans nearly 160,000 sq/kms with a population of over 2,000 people. There are 11 communities and outstation settlements in the Ngaanyatjarra Lands.
The picturesque landscape of the Ngaanyatjarra Lands is extremely diverse; the western desert regions’ physical richness is reflected in the astonishing variety of artistic expression. The Ngaanyatjarra Lands are at the junction of the Great Victoria and Gibson deserts.
There is dense sand dune country, ancient mountain ranges and seemingly infinite Spinifex plains. Among this overwhelming scale of the landscape are the rockholes, soakwaters (underground water), creeks, salt lakes and claypans that feature in many of the artworks as sites of significance.
About the Opportunity
If you are an experienced music professional looking for a unique, adventurous and culturally diverse role, which will provide you with plenty of time for your own creative endeavours, this is the opportunity for you!
Ngaanyatjarra Media has a unique opportunity for a Music Development Officer to join their innovative team in Wingellina, WA, on a job share basis involving alternating two-month periods.
This is a unique role for an experienced and dynamic music professional to engage in community cultural development work with Indigenous people, on a 'roaming' basis to 14 communities throughout the Wingellina region. You will coordinate the Ngaanyatjarra Music Development Program, which involves passing on skills in music development, performance development, recording development and business development to local Indigenous people.
This position is shared, alternating between two Music Development Officers, with each employed for alternating blocks of around two months, 2-3 times per annum. The schedule is flexible and is worked out in consultation with both Music Development Officers, taking into account their other commitments.
Some of your specific responsibilities will include:
- Promoting regional coordination, resourcing and support for ongoing music development;
- Support the development of Ngaanyatjarra musicians and bands;
- Increasing the live performance (stage-craft) capacity of Ngaanyatjarra bands and musicians, and seeking to create or identify opportunities for live performances;
- Overseeing studio recording sessions and instructing in sound mixing and production;
- Establishing local recording setups in active communities, using Garageband computer software, with a Garageband Management Plan in each community; and
- Developing a Business Plan for recurrent regional Music Development Program, in consultation with the Music Development Committee and Ng Media Manager.
This role is suited to an experienced musician and songwriter with a working knowledge of the music industry, relevant networks, funding agencies and industry legal requirements. You will have demonstrated experience in organising and promoting music industry events such as gigs and tours, and will preferably have an understanding of community broadcasting codes and APRA Licensing arrangements.
Just as importantly, you will have experience in (or a strong aptitude for) delivering training, especially in a cross-cultural context, where numeracy and English literacy are often low. You will need to have outstanding communication skills, and the natural ability to work well within a small group context. Ngaanyatjarra Media is looking for a well organised, goal-oriented, flexible and 'can do' applicant with the initiative to achieve planned results in an unsupervised environment. You will also have well-developed computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office, Pro Tools and Garageband.
It will be beneficial to have a demonstrated understanding of the political, social and economic factors that affect Indigenous people, especially related to the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. All applicants require a current driver's licence.
Quite simply, this is an unmissable opportunity for a musician with a sense of adventure. You will visit spectacular and challenging regions of Australia that most people never get the chance to see, while passing on your expertise of the music industry to local Indigenous communities, and learning more about their culture.
This role offers not only the opportunity to work full time hours within the music industry in two-month blocks - you are free to return home in the breaks between, with all travel costs provided! While working in the region, your accommodation and day-to-day travel will also be provided.
The successful applicant will enjoy an attractive salary circa $1,370 per week plus superannuation. This rate equates to $61,788 plus District Allowance, and includes all leave entitlements plus loading. Salary packaging is also available to eligible applicants.
If you love a challenge, like an active schedule and would love the chance to work in regular two-month blocks, this is your opportunity to "own your role"!
For an extremely rewarding role, combining your passions for music, travel and working with Indigenous communities, Apply Now!