Senior Project Officer, Closing the Gap

The Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia Limited (AHCSA) is the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia at state and national levels.

Our primary role is to be the ‘health voice’ for all Aboriginal people in South Australia. We achieve this by advocating for the community and supporting workers through our Member Services with appropriate Aboriginal health programs based on a holistic perspective of health.

Summary of the Role

The Senior Project Officer, Closing the Gap position is a Full-Time 2 year fixed position.

The Senior Project Officer, Closing the Gap (Senior Project Officer) plays a key leadership role in coordinating the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health (ACCH) sector’s efforts to influence, advocate for, and ensure the successful implementation of Closing the Gap reforms at a sector-wide level to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal people, consistent with the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the South Australian Implementation Plan for the National Agreement on Closing the Gap.

The position is responsible for consulting with and coordinating input from Member Services, providing advice on Closing the Gap strategies and activities, and building sector capacity to operate in alignment with Closing the Gap priority reforms and contribute to the attainment of Closing the Gap targets and outcomes.

The position works closely with Member Services and other stakeholders to advocate for effective reforms and ensure that policies and initiatives are culturally relevant, impactful, and aligned with the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal people.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinating Input into Closing the Gap Reforms: Consulting with Member Services, contributing to project planning, representing AHCSA in forums, coordinating advocacy efforts, and overseeing the development and implementation of Closing the Gap initiatives to improve health outcomes
• Information and Advice: Providing Member Services with information and advice on the ACCH sector's role in addressing health disparities through Closing the Gap, Closing the Gap reforms, and opportunities for the sector to participate in reform activities
• Building Sector Capacity to Deliver on Closing the Gap: Collaborating with Member Services to build their capacity for Closing the Gap reforms, coordinating training and resources, and facilitating knowledge-sharing and collaboration across the ACCH sector to strengthen local delivery of reforms
• Advocacy and Representation: Advocating for Aboriginal people's needs within Closing the Gap reform and providing support for ACCH sector representation in key forums and working groups
• Collaboration and Partnership Building: Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with Member Services, government, community, service providers, and other stakeholders to support Closing the Gap initiatives in the ACCH sector
• Monitoring and Reporting: Coordinating Closing the Gap reporting across the ACCH sector, providing regular updates to the AHCSA Board and Member Services, and driving continuous improvement for Closing the Gap initiatives

Essential Experience

• Experience in stakeholder consultation and engagement with Aboriginal people, communities and the ACCH sector.
• Experience in strategic reform within the health sector, working closely with member based organisations.
• Experience in monitoring, analysing and reporting on health sector initiatives, and presenting on key trends and analysis.
• Experience advocating for the health needs and priorities of Aboriginal people, to influence heath policy and practice.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working on initiatives across local, state and national levels of government.
• Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice
• Bachelor of Public Health, Health Science, Primary Health Care or related field.

What we offer

• The opportunity to join the peak body representing Aboriginal community-controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia
• A workplace that encourages work/life balance
• An inclusive and diverse workplace
• Great salary package and benefits
• Generous leave provisions

Special Conditions

• Out of normal hours work may be required.
• Requires the ability to travel intra-state and interstate, including overnight absences.
• National Police Certificate is required.
• Working with Children Screening may be required.
• A valid Driver’s License is required.

How to apply

To be considered for the role you are required to submit a Resume and Suitability Statement of no more than 5 pages.

The Suitability Statement has to address the Statement of Key Responsibilities of the Job and Person Specification. Only applications that have addressed the Statement of Key Responsibilities will be considered.

Visit our webpage to find the Job and Person Specification under the Work With Us tab - https://ahcsa.org.au/work-with-us/current-opportunities/ or you can contact the Human Resources team at recruitment@ahcsa.org.au.

Please note, late applications will not be accepted and no agencies please.

Closing Date for applications: 15th August 2025

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

This position may be filled prior to the closing date of the Advertisement.