The Commission leads and coordinates national improvements in healthcare safety and quality. It works in partnership with patients, carers, clinicians, the Australian, state and territory health systems, the private sector, managers and healthcare organisations to achieve a safe, high-quality and sustainable health system.

The Senior Project Officer coordinates the ongoing program of work including providing specialist advice on equity and access in relation to the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and the Aged Care Quality Standards.

This position is responsible for the development of guidance materials to support health services to implement the requirements of the NSQHS Standards and the Primary and Community Healthcare Standards and relevant Clinical Care Standards. The role also contributes to broader activities across the Partnering with Consumers program.

The Senior Project Officer works with the Director, Partnering with Consumers and is required to collaborate with other teams across the Commission to ensure alignment with other work programs and strategic priorities. The Senior Project Officer represents the Commission in relevant forums and provides high level specialist expertise and strategic advice to the Commission’s Executive and the Chief Executive Officer.

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

Provide strategic leadership and direction by planning, managing and coordinating the development of the Commission’s disability work program in line with key national policy documents including the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.

Implement the Commission’s work plan and other complementary activities required to meet the overall responsibilities of the Commission, as directed by the Program Director.

Undertake and oversee project management activities, including the development of project plans, collaboration with other program areas, budgets, monitoring and reporting, identifying problems and managing risks.

Undertake research and analysis of contemporary evidence around health care equity and access issues to inform the development of resources and guidance for health services, clinicians and people with disability.

Develop new guidance materials for health services to address safety and quality gaps for people with disability in conjunction with clinical experts, consumers and carers.

Initiate, establish and maintain strong relationships and consultation with a national network of stakeholders to promote and support implementation of the Commission’s equity and access program.

Provide oversight of committees and working groups to achieve project and work plan outcomes, including the preparation of meeting and briefing papers and presentations.

Coordinate, prepare and review complex briefings and background papers, agendas, meeting papers, correspondence, presentations and other documents.

Maintaining awareness of current clinical, policy and research developments in equity and access across but not limited to cognitive, neurological, sensory and physical disability, anticipating their impact on the work area.

Collaborate with other teams across the Commission to ensure alignment with other work programs and strategic priorities.

The successful candidate will have:

Solid understanding of equity and access issues affecting the delivery of safe and quality health care for people with disability in acute, primary and community healthcare systems.

Proven capacity to manage equity and access programs including high level strategic, clinical and policy advice to improve the safety and quality of health care for people with disability.

Ability to identify and apply contemporary evidence into resources and guidelines for health services, clinicians and consumers.

Highly developed oral and written communication skills including demonstrated ability to prepare high level briefing documents, submissions and reports for a range of different audiences.

Strong interpersonal skills including an ability to communicate with influence and ability to cultivate productive working relationships within the Commission and across a range of government and non-government stakeholders.

For further information, please refer to the position description and applicant pack available from the Commission’s website at: https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/careers.

To apply for this position, please complete and submit an application form through https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au/careers 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.

PLEASE NOTE: To apply for this role, please apply through the Commission's website, not through SEEK. Only complete applications will be considered. Auto-generated applications will not be considered.

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 presence in the office is required.

Questions about the role can be directed to Anna Flynn on 02 7232 5351.

Closing date for applications is 11.59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Monday 28 April 2025.