Location: DarwinStatus: Full time Ongoing The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a highly experienced and culturally capable Senior Anthropologist – Sea Country to provide strategic anthropological leadership within our Sea Country Service Area.About the Role:Reporting to the Manager Anthropology and working closely with Sea Country management, this position plays a key interdisciplinary role on the Sea Country Team. The Senior Anthropologist – Sea Country provides high-level advice, applied research, and strategic direction to support consultations and decision-making under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and other relevant legislation, including the Native Title Act 1993. This role ensures that Traditional Aboriginal Owners (TAOs) are supported through rigorous, timely and culturally informed anthropological research and advice across a range of Sea Country matters.What you will Bring:You will bring deep applied anthropological expertise grounded in extensive fieldwork experience within Aboriginal Australia, and will demonstrate strong cultural capability, sound judgement and the ability to provide clear, strategic advice in complex and sensitive Sea Country matters. With proven experience coordinating research, managing consultants and delivering high-quality outputs within tight timeframes, this position combines technical excellence with respectful engagement. You have a proven track record of building trusted relationships with Traditional Owners, colleagues and external stakeholders while ensuring legislative integrity and culturally informed decision-making.In addition to this, you will have:Postgraduate qualification in Anthropology (or equivalent discipline), or Honours degree in Anthropology.Minimum four (4) years applied anthropological experience within Aboriginal AustraliaDemonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal land tenure systems, social organisation, cultural protocols and decision-making processesStrong working knowledge of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and Native Title Act 1993, including practical applicationFor a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.What’s in it for you?This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to culturally significant Sea Country matters. You will work alongside highly experienced anthropologists, legal practitioners and project teams as part of a values-driven organisation committed to Consult, Respect, Be Responsive and Social JusticeWe offer:A base salary of $112,499 per annum plus 15% superannuation on Base and District allowancesalary sacrificing up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefit up to $2,650 per year.Other benefits under our Enterprise Agreement include:District allowance of up to $4,884 (DA2) per annum for individuals with dependents and $2,678 (DA1) without dependents.Generous leave provisions 5 weeks annual leave, leaving loading, 18 days personal leave;Paid Christmas close down;Upon completion of 12 months of service an Annual airfare with a net (in hand) value of $3,177Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and expertise you will bring to this role?For further queries, please contact Wendy Asche on 0483 361 624 Applications Close:  Monday 27 April 2026About the NLCThe Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region.  Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC.  We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities.DST8 Senior Anthropologist Sea Country AUD Berrimah 0828

Senior Anthropologist, Sea Country

  • Location: Darwin
  • Status: Full time Ongoing

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is seeking a highly experienced and culturally capable Senior Anthropologist – Sea Country to provide strategic anthropological leadership within our Sea Country Service Area.

About the Role:

Reporting to the Manager Anthropology and working closely with Sea Country management, this position plays a key interdisciplinary role on the Sea Country Team. The Senior Anthropologist – Sea Country provides high-level advice, applied research, and strategic direction to support consultations and decision-making under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and other relevant legislation, including the Native Title Act 1993. This role ensures that Traditional Aboriginal Owners (TAOs) are supported through rigorous, timely and culturally informed anthropological research and advice across a range of Sea Country matters.

What you will Bring:

You will bring deep applied anthropological expertise grounded in extensive fieldwork experience within Aboriginal Australia, and will demonstrate strong cultural capability, sound judgement and the ability to provide clear, strategic advice in complex and sensitive Sea Country matters. With proven experience coordinating research, managing consultants and delivering high-quality outputs within tight timeframes, this position combines technical excellence with respectful engagement. You have a proven track record of building trusted relationships with Traditional Owners, colleagues and external stakeholders while ensuring legislative integrity and culturally informed decision-making.

In addition to this, you will have:

  • Postgraduate qualification in Anthropology (or equivalent discipline), or Honours degree in Anthropology.
  • Minimum four (4) years applied anthropological experience within Aboriginal Australia
  • Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal land tenure systems, social organisation, cultural protocols and decision-making processes
  • Strong working knowledge of the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 and Native Title Act 1993, including practical application

For a full copy of the Position Description refer to the link provided below.

What’s in it for you?

This position offers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to culturally significant Sea Country matters. You will work alongside highly experienced anthropologists, legal practitioners and project teams as part of a values-driven organisation committed to Consult, Respect, Be Responsive and Social Justice

We offer:

  • A base salary of $112,499 per annum plus 15% superannuation on Base and District allowance
  • salary sacrificing up to $15,900 + Meal Entertainment and Holiday Accommodation benefit up to $2,650 per year.
  • Other benefits under our Enterprise Agreement include:
    • District allowance of up to $4,884 (DA2) per annum for individuals with dependents and $2,678 (DA1) without dependents.
    • Generous leave provisions 5 weeks annual leave, leaving loading, 18 days personal leave;
    • Paid Christmas close down;
    • Upon completion of 12 months of service an Annual airfare with a net (in hand) value of $3,177

Interested applicants should send a copy of their CV along with a cover letter outlining why you are interested in this position and what relevant skills and expertise you will bring to this role?

For further queries, please contact Wendy Asche on 0483 361 624

Applications Close:  Monday 27 April 2026

About the NLC

The Northern Land Council (NLC) is an independent statutory authority of the Commonwealth. The NLC is established under the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 and its purpose is to serve its constituents who are Traditional Owners (TOs) and other Aboriginal people living in their region.  Cultural knowledge and lived experience are central to the work that we do here at NLC.  We are committed to enhancing Aboriginal peoples social, political and economic participation by supporting their aspirations and amplifying their voices on a range of issues impacting on their lands, seas, culture and communities.

DST8 Senior Anthropologist Sea Country