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 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 on a key project to improve the cultural safety and quality of health care for First Nations peoples.

Initially the team will complete a review of cultural safety standards in hospitals to inform improvements to the delivery of health care for First Nations peoples. 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 develop options for guidance and standards on cultural safety, and translation and implementation into practice.

The Program Manager, First Nations Health will lead a small team to deliver the First Nations Cultural Safety project. This includes day-to-day oversight and project management, leading and guiding the team, developing and maintaining key relationships, and working closely with the Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation to build and deliver the work program.

The team also provides Secretariat support to the Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advisory Group, works closely with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s First Nations National Health Reform Agreement team, the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and with other national agencies and organisations committed to improving health outcomes for First Nations people.

This new role provides a unique opportunity to make a difference to health outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities, at a national level, as part of a supportive learning organisation.

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

delivering strategically important projects

developing and implementing strategic priorities, processes and/or cross-agency initiatives

active stakeholder engagement to build and maintain internal and external networks to develop respectful and reciprocal working relationships

informing decisions and recommendations through collaboration and consensus.

Duties of the Program Manager will include, but are not limited to, the following:

With the Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation, plan, develop and lead the review of cultural safety standards in hospitals.

Manage team members on a day-to-day basis, including providing supervision, coaching, performance development and performance management where required, to ensure the program area’s deliverables are met to time and to a high-quality.

In collaboration with the Executive Director, Strategy and Innovation, set strategic priorities for the team and the work program.

Oversee the review, analysis and summarisation of published literature, data, policy papers and other published material to inform policy and program direction.

Manage the preparation of high-quality written reports, briefs, and other documents for a range of audiences on complex healthcare issues, including issues specifically related to First Nations health.

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

Provide secretariat support to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Advisor Group and any other expert working groups managed by the program.

Liaise and consult with a broad range of experts and stakeholders including development of consultation strategies and coordination of formal consultation processes to achieve the objectives of the program.

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

Prepare advice on safety and quality issues across a broad range of activities, including those relevant to First Nations health.

Other duties as required and directed.

The successful candidate will have:

Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Australian healthcare system, including commitment to improving cultural safety in a healthcare and health outcomes for First Nations peoples and communities.

Ability to lead a small team of First Nations experts to deliver the First Nations Health program within expected timeframes and to budget.

High level strategy and/or policy development experience.

Well-developed research, synthesis and analysis skills.

Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write for a range of audiences with accuracy and attention to detail.

Strong interpersonal skills, in particular, an excellent ability to consult, cultivate and maintain productive working relationships with a wide variety of people including First Nations communities, stakeholders and organisations.

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 weekly presence in the office is required.

Note: 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.