Community Yarning, Community Healing Project Lead

Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council is seeking a Community Yarning, Community Healing Project Lead to provide leadership, coordination and oversight of a culturally safe, community-led mental health support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across South West Sydney.

You will implement the stepped-care model, monitor outcomes, build partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and health services, and support facilitators to ensure services are responsive to community

Qualifications

• Experience coordinating community health or social wellbeing programs.
• Strong understanding of Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing concepts.
• Project management, reporting and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead implementation and delivery of the program across South West Sydney, aligning with care models, funding requirements, objectives and timelines.
• Build relationships with Aboriginal communities, Elders and cultural advisors to ensure culturally safe, community-led service delivery.
• Provide leadership and support to facilitators and peer workers, including training and reflective practice.

Job description

Community Yarning, Community Healing Project Lead

The Community Yarning, Community Healing Project Lead will provide leadership, coordination, and oversight of a culturally safe, community-led low-intensity mental health support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across South West Sydney.

The role is responsible for implementing and managing the program's stepped-care model, ensuring high-quality service delivery, building partnerships, supporting facilitators, monitoring outcomes, and maintaining strong community engagement.

The Project Lead will work closely with community members, Elders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, health services, and referral partners to ensure the program remains culturally grounded, responsive, and aligned with community priorities.

This position plays a key role in strengthening access to social and emotional wellbeing supports while promoting self-determination, cultural safety, and early intervention.

Key responsibilities

Lead implementation and delivery of the program across South West Sydney, ensuring alignment with the Model of Care, funding requirements, objectives and timelines.

Build strong relationships with Aboriginal communities and work alongside Elders, Cultural Advisors and community members to ensure culturally safe, relevant and community-led service delivery.

Provide leadership, guidance and support to Yarning Circle Facilitators and peer workers, including training, professional development, reflective practice and team wellbeing.

Develop and maintain partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, health services, government agencies and community organisations, strengthening referral pathways and integrated care.

Promote trauma-informed and culturally safe practice, oversee risk identification and escalation, and facilitate warm referrals to appropriate health, AOD, mental health and social services.

Monitor participation, service activity and outcomes; maintain accurate data; and prepare progress, funding and evaluation reports.

Identify opportunities for program growth, additional funding, strategic partnerships and expansion, using community feedback and evaluation findings to strengthen long-term sustainability.

About you

We are seeking a passionate, culturally grounded professional committed to improving the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. You will bring demonstrated experience in coordinating community, health or social and emotional wellbeing programs, a strong understanding of Aboriginal concepts of Social and Emotional Wellbeing, and experience working within community-controlled, health, mental health or social services.

You will demonstrate a genuine commitment to culturally safe, trauma-informed, strengths-based and Aboriginal-led practice. Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation, relevant qualifications and project management experience will be highly regarded.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person (identified position under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 NSW).

Demonstrated experience managing community programs, health programs, or social and emotional wellbeing initiatives.

Strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of Social and Emotional Wellbeing.

Experience working within community-controlled, health, mental health, or social services sectors.

Demonstrated ability to build and maintain partnerships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

Experience in project management, coordination, and reporting.

Excellent communication, facilitation, and relationship-building skills.

Understanding of trauma-informed and culturally safe practice.

Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.

Current NSW Driver Licence and Current Working with Children Check and National Criminal History Check.

About us

Gandangara Community Healing Centre (GCHC) is a strengths-based, culturally led, and recovery-focused centre designed to support the complex needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples affected by alcohol and other drug (AOD) challenges. Delivered by Gandangara Health Services (GHS) in partnership with the South West Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) and funded by the NSW Ministry of Health, GCHC weaves clinical excellence with Aboriginal ways of healing, offering person-centred care that nurtures emotional, spiritual, cultural, and physical wellbeing.