MO6 Medical Advisor, First Nations Health

The Medical Advisor, First Nations Health works directly with the Commission’s First Nations Health Program Manager and team, and reports to the Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation. The Medical Advisor is also provided guidance and support from the Commission’s Chief Medical Officer. The Medical Advisor will:

• Provide advice and guidance to the Commission’s First Nations projects and activities and has a central role in the delivery of the First Nations Cultural Safety Standards review project
• Work with the Chief Medical Officer and the Commission’s other Medical Advisors in regard to Commission activities
• Liaise with relevant Directors to support the Commission’s activities that relate to First Nations health. 

Duties of the Medical Advisor will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Provide expert clinical advice to the Commission, particularly in relation to First Nations health care, to ensure that the Commission’s work draws on the latest evidence in cultural safety and is relevant to clinical practice
2. Provide clinical leadership into the development and implementation of cultural safety standards and guidance suitable for inclusion in policies and programs
3. Take responsibility for specific projects including research, needs assessment, strategic planning and evaluation related to the activities of the Commission
4. Work co-operatively and share appropriate information with relevant medical, industry and consumer stakeholders to maintain and enhance the quality of policy advice and support to the Commission in relation to the safety and quality
5. Collaborate with teams across the Commission to ensure alignment with other work programs and strategic priorities
6. Represent the Commission through participation in, or chairing of, national inter-government committees, advisory groups and projects. Promote the work of the Commission through participation at relevant meetings and events.

The successful candidate will have:

1. High level knowledge and skills related to related to evidence-based practice in primary and community health care, acute or specialist care with a focus on First Nations health.
2. Demonstrated experience in managing projects and delivering key results by drawing on professional expertise and supporting others to act.
3. Proven capacity to develop strategy and provide high level technical advice to government on the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs related to relevant areas of safety and quality in health care.
4. A comprehensive understanding of Australia’s healthcare system including the development and application of national approaches to safety and quality improvement in First Nations health care.
5. Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to liaise and negotiate effectively with stakeholders combined with the ability to work effectively with internal staff at all levels.
6. Highly developed oral and written communication skills including demonstrated ability to prepare high level briefing documents and submissions, present publicly to large audiences, and explain complex technical issues simply.

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 on 02 7232 5520.

Closing date for applications is 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) Sunday 4 January 2026.