Work With Us - NT Writers' Centre

Work With Us

Program Officer

  • Location: Garramilla/Darwin or Alice Springs/Mparntwe
  • Tenure: Part-time position – 0.6 FTE, across Tues-Fri
  • Employment conditions: $34/hr

We are looking for a skilled and uplifting Program Officer who can balance community connecting with organisational skills to support writers in all genres at all stages of their writing careers.

Your new organisation

The NT Writers’ Centre (NTWC) is a community of writers and storytellers committed to developing and celebrating the diverse literary culture of the NT.

NTWC offers a diverse program of literary activities to encourage and support writers across four program areas: an annual program of writers development workshops and residencies; the NT Writers Festival; prizes and awards; and supporting authors towards publication.

A little about the role

You will be part of a small, skilled, experienced and motivated team who are caring, bold, respectful and inclusive in the arts and literature sector. You will be responsible for implementing the Annual Writers Development Program and supporting our members. This means managing all aspects of literary workshops including: planning and preparing (venues, authors, travel, small budgets, etc.), promoting events to members and online, ticket sales, paperwork and feedback/reviews.

The job is mainly office based, with some flexibility of work hours, ensuring core office opening hours are covered. On occasion, there is a requirement to work evenings and weekend, and to support the NT Writers Festival.

You will be focused on:

  • Planning, promotion, delivery, support and follow up for programs
  • Communicating with and supporting workshop writers and presenters
  • Managing bookings and ticketing 
  • Increasing memberships and supporting writers
  • Collecting data and maintaining accurate records
  • Networking with other key organisations
  • Contributing to newsletters and social media content
  • Completing office administration tasks
  • Supporting the NT Writers Festival
  • Working to cover core business hours

How to apply

Please apply on Seek, Darwin applicants can apply here and Alice Springs applicants can apply here.

Applications will require your resume and responses to the 4 questions below.

  1. When and where have you planned and supported community arts programs?
  2. Which tools have you used to promote events and workshops? How were you successful?
  3. What systems have you used to communicate with members and manage membership services?
  4. What is your experience in the literary sector, arts or associated areas?

Please let us know any access requirements you may have so we can help with your application or interview process, as well as your pronouns. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, and people from the LGBTQI+ community.

Curators for the NT Writers Festival in Mparntwe/Alice Springs

We are looking for curators to create inspiring, place based events that intersect with literature, storytelling, books, writing and community events for the 2027 NT Writers Festival held in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

Curators will be expected to develop up to 4 events that include panels, talks, conversations, community events and workshops. 

A little about the role

You will be part of a small, skilled, experienced and motivated team who are caring, bold, respectful and inclusive in the arts and literature sector. You will be responsible for curating up to 4 events for the NT Writers Festival.

Position overview:

POSITION TITLE

 :

Curators for the 2027 NT Writers Festival

LOCATION

:

Mparntwe on Arrernte Country | Alice Springs

TENURE

:

Commencing Sept 2026, occasional meetings till June 2027

REPORTS TO

:

Executive Director, works closely with Festival & Events Mgr

REMUNERATION

:

$4000.00 curator fee

NUMBER OF POSITIONS

:

4 CURATORS, with one curator role reserved for First Nations/Culturally and Linguistically Diverse person

ADDITIONAL POSITIONS

:

Extra curation opportunities for Children’s Program and evening events ($1500.00 each)

WORK HOURS

:

To suit, and complete the timeline requirements

Essential Skills:

  • Experience curating and bringing together authors and artists for panels and literary events
  • Understanding of Mparntwe local networks and artists 
  • Knowledge of the national literary scene, award winners and popular authors
  • Experience working effectively and in culturally safer ways with First Nations Peoples and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse groups.
  • Capacity to work some flexible hours and be available for the festival
  • Sufficient level of organisational and detailed administrative skills to ensure all artist and event details are provided in the timelines for delivery.
  • Current Working with Children check, plus a Police Check if your events include children

How to apply:

If you would like a copy of the curators guidelines, and to talk about this opportunity call SezzaJai on 0405980944 or email executive@ntwriters.com.au. We want this application process to be as easy for you as possible.

Please send us a written document that responds to these 4 headings (no more than 2 pages in total). 

Bookshelf knowledge – Literary sector know how
Tell us things you know about the literary sector that make you relevant to a Writers festival (may include books you’ve read, written, edited, how you are connected to the literary sector, specialist areas etc).

Mparntwe | Alice Springs community connections
Artists wrangling know how – outline your community connections and how you will work alongside authors etc..

Organising skills 
Tell us about literary and other events you have organised that let us know you can organise people and events.

Creative ideas
Make some broad, first thought, suggestions of creative ideas of what you might curate if you are successful. e.g. If I was a curator I would like to…..

Send your application to executive@ntwriters.com.au.

Please let us know any access requirements you may have so we can help with your application and selection process, as well as your pronouns. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people, and people from the LGBTQI+ community.

We value writing and reading and linguistic skills! Please write your responses using your own creativity. AI developed answers will not be looked on favourably.