DFAT's new strategy to increase Indigenous representation in the Pacific

Representation of Indigenous Australians in Australian foreign policy, including the development assistance program, has been a growing focus of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The release of a new plan that aims to increase Indigenous engagement and representation in the Pacific is the latest phase in an incremental process, which continues to advance opportunities for Indigenous Australians. The Indigenous Engagement Plan for the Office of the Pacific was launched internally by DFAT at the end of February. Between now and 2023, DFAT’s Indigenous strategy will focus on improved representation through three core strategies: 1. Increased representation of Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander peoples, businesses, and perspectives in Pacific programming. 2. Increased representation of Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander peoples in the Office of the Pacific, embassies, and high commissions. 3. Increased investment in the cultural awareness and capability for Office of the Pacific staff. This strategy expands upon an Indigenous procurement policy which has helped to increase representation of Indigenous-owned and -operated businesses in the delivery of the aid program. Indigenous programming goes beyond simply the work of the aid program. DFAT aims to promote and increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses through foreign policy and engagement. Indigenous culture, knowledge, and leadership are currently promoted, with the aim of expanding that through the new strategy. Moreover, a range of programs aim to increase Indigenous staffing within the organization and at leadership. This strategy is implemented throughout different areas of DFAT, sometimes managed by individual staff operating in silos. But increasingly, DFAT needs to be engaging with other areas of the Australian government to support delivery of programs in the Pacific. The new strategy aims to be holistic, and engage all players to increase Indigenous Australian representation. An Indigenous-led policy For DFAT, the new Indigenous engagement policy is particularly important as it was led by a young Indigenous staff member, Ella Scott. Scott first joined the department in January 2018 as a trainee through the Indigenous Australian Government Development Program. From December 2018, she was in a space where she could better understand opportunities and weaknesses of Indigenous representations as a policy officer with the Pacific Strategy Division, a role that included a non-aid Pacific sports grant program. With the support of Indigenous mentors within the organization, Scott engaged DFAT and other delivery agencies on the new plan to increase support and awareness — including the Australian Federal Police and Department of Defence. In supporting Indigenous representation in the Pacific, the new plan aims to increase the use and monitoring of the Indigenous procurement policy. Major implementing partners, including Australian aid business partners and NGOs, will need to increase their focus on diversity commitments as part of tender or grant responses and other proposals. More Indigenous businesses and entrepreneurs registered through the Supply Nation service would be engaged through this new approach. The Office of the Pacific will also increase its dialogue and relationships with Indigenous and Australian South Sea Islander peoples, entrepreneurs, and communities. With DFAT staffing, increased representation of Indigenous Australian staff will be a focus of recruitment, secondments, promotions, and postings. In encouraging more Indigenous staff within the organization, more Indigenous recruitment firms will be used to advertise positions. Indigenous officers on entry-level and skills development programs will be encouraged to undertake a rotation within the Office of the Pacific to build their awareness of opportunities division. To increase cultural awareness and capability within the Office of the Pacific, staff will undertake cultural training opportunities including Indigenous language courses and workshops discussing cultural issues. In the first month of the new plan, Scott has received her first overseas posting to Tonga where she is second secretary at the Australian High Commission in Nuku’alofa. Holding themselves to account The new plan has identified measures of success against its three objectives and includes a reporting schedule to deliver on key outcomes. In June a baseline report will collate information on Indigenous engagement in Pacific activities from the various stakeholders in DFAT — including the Indigenous engagement in the aid program as well as information from recruitment rounds to determine barriers to Indigenous engagement. In June 2021 and June 2022, annual reviews will measure progress against the objectives and will include external partner submissions. While in Dec. 2021 and Dec. 2022, progress reports will summarize outcomes for departmental reporting requirements. In selecting the initial objectives, DFAT has been careful to select goals that it believes are achievable. Staffing and resources were a consideration in what they believe is achievable by 2023. But the plan itself is also flexible and allows for annual recommendations, which could see objectives and goals adjusted in line with changing capability within the organizations. The aim is to continue improving and advancing Indigenous presence, with the aid program in particular benefiting from greater Indigenous to Indigenous programming. And through incremental advancements, DFAT’s approach will be observed carefully by other donors including the U.S. Agency for International Development, who is increasing its focus on activities promoting and supporting Indigenous communities.