Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Project Officer

Ahpra considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position. This position is only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants in accordance with relevant Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation.

Ahpra's overall purpose is to protect the public by regulating health practitioners efficiently and effectively in the public interest to facilitate access to safer healthcare for all the community. Ahpra and the National Scheme, in partnership with the National Scheme's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Group (the Strategy Group) that includes members of the National Indigenous Health Leadership Alliance (NIHLA) have committed to eliminating racism within healthcare in Australia.

Ahpra, as the health practitioner regulator, aims to make patient safety the norm for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples by ensuring registered health practitioners are practising their profession in a culturally safe way.

This is a full time permanent position, to be based in our Brisbane office working a hybrid arrangement.

Reporting to the Principal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Officer, this role is positioned within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Unit (HSU) to support the implementation of the National Scheme’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and Cultural Safety Strategy 2020-2025, along with future iterations and work across the agency to embed cultural safety and anti-racism practice into the business and operations of Ahpra and in the healthcare system.

About the Role

You will be responsible for leading exciting reform projects to embed cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples across the 16 professions in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme (National Scheme). You will establish and work with relevant working groups and procure the expertise of external Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander suppliers to provide specialist advice and achieve project deliverables, as required.

You will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders. Success in this role derives from your lived and living cultural experience and the ability to influence others to practice cultural safety and to understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of working and engaging.

Duties

• Lived and living cultural experience grounded in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, doing, working and relating.
• Support managing the implementation of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program of work, including providing clear and positive leadership for the HSU.
• Develop and maintain trusted working relationships with key stakeholders, particularly the Chairs of associated Working Groups and co-chairs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Group.
• Develop policy briefs, consultation papers, abstracts, research journals, presentations, memoranda, agenda papers that assists stakeholders to understand the program and support a cross-profession approach.
• Professionally resolve stakeholder conflict with tact and diplomacy.
• Lead and bring cultural safety matters for consideration and decision to the associated Working Group, HSU, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Strategy Group and other key stakeholders.
• Provide specialist advice that guides the associated Working Group and other stakeholders on the development of cultural safety and racism free policies, processes, practices and resources.
• Proactively identify risks to the program of work, develop and recommend means of mitigation.

You can review the role descriptor here: Senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Officer

What's on offer

• Flexible 3 days working from home with 2 days in the office.
• Access to an Indigenous Employee Assistance Program.
• Support and access to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff network.
• Work that is purposeful and impactful, advocating and working towards changes in processes and systems to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples receive culturally safe healthcare that is free from racism
• Generous provisions for personal leave, ceremonial and cultural leave, annual leave loading, and the ability to purchase additional annual leave
• Attractive base salary of $118,551 per annum plus superannuation

To apply: 

• Click ‘Apply for this job’ to submit your application. 
• Your application must include a current resume and cover letter showcasing your skills as they relate to the Role Description (2 page maximum)  
• For any queries or a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact Melissa Browning on 07 3149 4660 or via email recruitment@ahpra.gov.au
• Applications must be submitted by 11:30 pm AEDT Sunday 22 March

Offers of employment are subject to successful background (pre-employment screening) and Criminal History checks. Ahpra requires all employees to comply with Ahpra policies, including the Flexible working policy

Ahpra is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

This position is classified as “Identified” meaning only Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples are eligible to apply. The position requires an in-depth knowledge and lived experience of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander culture and an ability to communicate with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities. 

Ahpra acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and the continuing connection to lands, waters, and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and Elders past and present. 

With respect, no agencies please.