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.

This core operational role supports the work of the Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration, Comprehensive Care and Communicating for Safety programs of work, which recognises that person-centered care, patient assessment, care planning and appropriate and timely escalation is integral to all aspects of patient care. These three standards work together to ensure that there is a comprehensive plan for care developed with the patient which is accurately and carefully communicated and discussed between treating clinicians, members of a multidisciplinary team, and between clinicians and patients, families and carers. The program supports implementation of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards. The NSQHS Standards provide a nationally consistent statement of the level of care consumers can expect from health service organisations.

Working within the Comprehensive Care and Communicating for Safety team, the Senior Project Officer works closely with the Program Manager, Chief Nursing Officer and broader portfolio team. The Senior Project Officer’s role will focus is on supporting the health care system contributing to the work of the Comprehensive Care, Communicating for Safety and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standards.

This Senior Project Officer role requires a combination of strong and relevant acute care clinical experience and program management expertise. The role will undertake a range of activities including research, critical analysis, policy and guidance writing, strategic planning, significant stakeholder management, and management and coordination of consultation activities. The successful candidate will be required to work independently on complex tasks and demonstrate critical decision-making skills.

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

With the Program Manager, lead the planning and conceptualisation of strategies and national guidance to support Comprehensive Care, Communicating for Safety and Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standards, including improving systems for early identification and response to deterioration, and strengthening person-centered care, shared decision-making and care practices.

Review analyse and summarise published literature, data, policy papers and other published material to inform policy and program direction.

Consult with a broad range of experts and stakeholders including coordination of formal and informal consultation processes, to achieve the objectives of the program.

Prepare complex high-quality written documents including briefs, discussion papers and guidance for a range of audiences.

Investigate and keep current knowledge of strategic and clinical issues relating to the program areas and considering how they can be addressed by the Commission.

Provide secretariat support to the work of relevant committees and expert groups managed by the program.

Participate in and present to committee meetings, forums and workshops on relevant topics.

Undertake project management activities including project planning and documentation, implementation, monitoring and reporting on progress of the project; providing recommendations about managing risk, identifying and resolving problems.

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

Provide clinical advice and perspectives on key policy issues for the program and work closely with clinicians to integrate their views into strategic direction.

Liaise, and foster productive working relationships with other agencies, clinical organisations, consumer groups, government authorities, industry bodies and contractors.

Other duties as required and directed.

The successful candidate will have:

Demonstrated broad understanding and/or program management expertise including up-to-date clinical knowledge and experience of the identified relevant program areas (comprehensive care and recognising and responding to acute deterioration).

Demonstrated high-level review and analysis skills, including experience seeking out and analysing information from a variety of sources on complex health issues.

Strong policy development and/or project management experience, preferably relevant to safety and quality in the areas of recognition and response to acute deterioration and person-centered care.

Demonstrated high-level writing skills, including preparing complex written documents including briefs, discussion papers and guidance for a range of audiences to a high standard.

Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills, in particular, the ability to consult and negotiate with a wide variety of complex stakeholders on challenging issues.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as part of a small team.

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 addressing your suitability against each of the 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.

Questions about the role can be directed to Loren McDonald (02) 7262 5429.

Closing date for applications is 11.59pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), 16 October 2025.