EL1 Senior Project Officer, First Nations Health (Affirmative Measures)

The First Nations Health team is part of the Commission’s Strategy and Innovation portfolio, and reports to the Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation. The team is responsible for leading the Commission’s work in improving the safety and quality of care for First Nations people.

A key focus for the team is undertaking a review of cultural safety standards in hospitals to inform improvements to the delivery of health care for First Nations people. This includes working closely with the Commission’s National Standards team, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advisory Group and a broad range of First Nations stakeholders and communities to inform the development of options for guidance and standards on cultural safety, and to support translation and implementation into practice.

The Senior Project Officer will be involved in a broad range of performance monitoring, reporting and project management activities that support the Program Manager, First Nations Health and delivery of the Cultural Safety project. This includes the coordination and facilitation of stakeholder consultation and engagement activities, review and analysis of information, development of briefings and resources, development of options to inform cultural safety standards, and assisting with liaison on key strategic projects relevant to the First Nations Health program area.

This position provides a unique opportunity to make a difference to health outcomes for First Nations peoples nationally and their communities in a supportive organisation.

The Senior Project Officer will be a First Nations person who understands the Australian health system and has experience and demonstrated involvement in:  

• delivering key projects and activities to meet the objectives of organisational work plans
• engaging with an extensive network of internal and external stakeholders and developing productive working relationships
• negotiating decisions through collaboration and consensus
• collaborating with teams across the Commission to drive and coordinate cross-agency initiatives in line with organisational strategy.

Duties of the Senior Project Officer will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Review, analyse and summarise published literature, data, policy papers and other published material to inform policy and program direction.
2. Prepare high-quality written reports, briefs, and other documents for a range of audiences on complex healthcare issues, including issues specifically related to First Nations healthcare.
3. Lead project management activities including project planning and documentation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on progress; providing recommendations about managing risk and identifying and resolving problems.
4. Provide secretariat support to the work of relevant committees and expert groups managed by the team.
5. Liaise and consult with experts and stakeholders including development of consultation strategies and coordination of formal consultation processes to achieve the objectives of the Commission.
6. Participate in, and present to, committee meetings, forums and workshops on relevant topics.
7. Collaborate with other teams across the Commission to ensure alignment with other work programs and strategic priorities.
8. Maintain knowledge of relevant legislative and reporting requirements, Australian and International standards, quality assurance procedures and best practice models.
9. Prepare advice on safety and quality issues across a broad range of activities, including those relevant to First Nations health.
10. Other duties as required and directed.

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong knowledge and understanding of the Australian healthcare system, including issues relevant to the health care of First Nations peoples and communities.
• Experience in strategy and policy development, including developing and scoping policy options.
• High-level problem-solving, research and analytical skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to engage with a variety of audiences and in different formats.
• Highly developed communication and interpersonal skills, in particular, an excellent ability to consult, cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience to lead projects with autonomy, as well as work as part of a small team.

How to apply

To apply for this position, please complete and submit an application form and upload: 

• A CV summarising your relevant experience and qualifications
• A two-page cover letter broadly addressing your suitability against both the position description and selection criteria.

Candidates must be Australian citizens to be eligible to apply.

Please note:

• This position will be offered in a hybrid model of office based (Sydney) and working from home, where operationally feasible. A regular weekly presence in the office is required.
• This role is being advertised under the Affirmative Measures – Indigenous to ensure a First Nations-led approach to the program of work. Only applicants who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage, are eligible to apply.
  Questions about the role can be directed to Naomi Poole (02) 7232 5520.

Closing date for applications is 11.59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Sunday 17 August 2025.