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 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 Project Officer will be involved in a broad range of project management activities that support the Program Manager, First Nations Health and delivery of the Cultural Safety project. This includes providing administrative and logistical support for the First Nations team including managing project documentation and records management, supporting contract management and procurement activities, writing briefings and other documents for internal and/or external audiences, providing secretariat support and other activities as required.

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 Project Officer, First Nations Health will be a First Nations person who understands the Australian health system and has experience in supporting:

delivery of strategic projects through effective project management

research and analysis of data to inform policy recommendations

stakeholder engagement with an extensive network of internal and external stakeholders and developing productive working relationships

collaboration and consensus processes to drive and coordinate initiatives in line with organisational strategy

administrative, procurement and secretariat functions.

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

Undertake a range of supportive project management activities, including input into project planning and documentation; monitoring and reporting on progress of projects; and identifying issues and proposing possible solutions.

Support procurement and contract management activities including financial administration and budget preparation, invoicing and monitoring.

Draft, edit and collate meeting and workshop papers, submissions, correspondence, discussion papers and briefing notes, and provide secretariat support for meetings, including preparation of agenda papers, meeting notes, logistics and other administrative tasks.

Collaborate with members of the First Nations Health team and other Commission teams to support delivery of projects.

Research, review and analyse data, reports, published material and expert opinion to provide information and advice to support the development of projects and initiatives, including issues specifically related to First Nations health care.

Work with the team to create and/or update guidance for internal processes and work independently and actively identify key actions required for the effective operation of the team.

Under the guidance of the Program Manager liaise with external stakeholders.

Other duties as required which may include projects and providing assistance to the Commission’s corporate functions, such as assistance with reception duties.

The successful candidate will have:

Demonstrated experience in project management and secretariat support, including the ability to manage, and report on budgets.

Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to critically assess issues and recommend practical solutions in a timely manner.

Demonstrated well developed written communication skills, including the ability to produce high level documents.

Strong interpersonal skills with an ability to communicate effectively and develop productive working relationships with the Commission and with a range of external stakeholders.

An understanding of Australia’s health care system and key safety and quality issues, including issues relevant to the health care of First Nations peoples and communities.

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.