Search on for CIO to aid remote indigenous communities

A nationwide search has begun to find a CIO to head up a two-year project working with indigenous communities across Australia.

Indigenous Business Australia and a board of CEOs from some of Australia's largest retailers have teamed up to form a not-for-profit organisation with the aim of boosting living conditions in indigenous communities.

The organisation has today advertised for a CIO to head up ICT for the project, which has among its aims improving communities' access to nutrition.

"We're looking for an individual who has the mix of high-level strategy and who has the pragmatism to understand that they're dealing with challenges that are outside the norm," said Paul Rush, CIO practice leader at Talent2, the recruiter for the position.

"These communities vary in size from 80 people to 4,500," he said. "Some are extremely remote and have problems with basic communications and even power supplies."

Rush said the head of technology will be in charge of centralising communications, key to "getting supply chains right, avoiding corruption and any other number of obstacles faced when dealing with such isolated communities".

The project is based in Darwin and the term of the contract will run for two years, although it may be extended, said Rush.