Project Officer - Priority Reform 4

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) NSW is seeking a Project Officer to support PR4 initiatives focused on Aboriginal data sovereignty and governance. You will assist with coordination, stakeholder engagement, and communications while upholding cultural responsiveness and high ethical standards.

The role involves engagement with Aboriginal communities and organisations, risk management, and producing clear communications across project materials.

Qualifications

• Identified position; applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Experience working effectively with Aboriginal communities and organisations.
• Experience managing multiple stakeholder relationships and navigating risks and negotiations.
• Project Officer experience within a regulated, community-based organisation or similar.
• Experience developing written and visual content for social media, reporting and information materials.
• NSW Driver's Licence and ability to travel occasionally.
• Knowledge of Closing the Gap and the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Sector.
• Tertiary qualifications in research, business administration, data, ICT, policy, public administration or similar.

Responsibilities

• Provide administrative, secretariat and project support to the AH&MRC PR4 Team and stakeholders.
• Assist with scheduling, meeting coordination and preparation of briefings, reports and meeting materials.
• Develop and implement culturally responsive engagement with Aboriginal communities, organisations and project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships through effective communication and issues management.
• Identify project and stakeholder risks and advise on engagement and communication responses.
• Maintain the AH&MRC PR4 Team inbox and social media accounts.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder management

Project coordination

Content creation

Driving license

Aboriginal knowledge

Policy knowledge

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council – Sydney CBD NSW

About the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW

The Aboriginal Health & Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services across New South Wales. We work alongside our Members to strengthen Aboriginal community-controlled healthcare and improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Our work spans advocacy, policy, workforce development, health promotion, research, training and organisational support. We bring the experience and priorities of our Members into state and national decision-making, advocate for better health systems and investment, and help build the capability and sustainability of the Aboriginal community-controlled health sector.

Join our team of dynamic and innovative people who value and proudly play a meaningful role in supporting the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people and communities across NSW.

About the Project

This NSW-specific project fulfils Priority Reform 4 (PR4) commitments in the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and the 2025-28 NSW Closing the Gap Implementation Plan. The project focuses on improving shared access to data by Aboriginal communities; establishing shared decision-making regarding government-held data; building knowledge related to data and Aboriginal Data Sovereignty and Governance (ADS&G); and developing a sustainable model for ADS&G in NSW.

Primary objectives include increasing Aboriginal communities access to and sovereignty over data, and to empower communities to govern and use data in self-determining ways. This involves honouring Aboriginal ownership and control over the collection, analysis, interpretation, dissemination, and use of Aboriginal data, especially in relation to Aboriginal knowledge.

About the Role

The Project Officer provides project and administrative support across the NSW PR4 work program, helping deliver initiatives that reflect Aboriginal priorities around shared data access and ADS&G.

Working with Aboriginal communities, organisations and project stakeholders, you’ll support engagement, communications, research and project coordination while helping identify risks and ensure initiatives are culturally responsive and effectively delivered.

Responsibilities:

Project & Admin Support

• Provide administrative, secretariat and project support to the AH&MRC PR4 Team and stakeholders.
• Assist with scheduling, meeting coordination and preparation of briefings, reports and meeting materials.

Community & Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and implement culturally responsive engagement with Aboriginal communities, organisations and project stakeholders.
• Build and maintain positive stakeholder relationships through effective communication, negotiation and issues management.
• Support initiatives relating to shared data access and ADS&G.

Communications Management

• Identify project and stakeholder risks and advise on appropriate engagement and communication responses.
• Maintain the AH&MRC PR4 Team inbox and social media accounts.
• Develop clear and engaging communication and information materials.

Compliance

• Assist in developing policies and procedures to support effective project implementation.
• Follow AH&MRC policies and procedures, including OHS requirements, and maintain high standards of probity and ethical behaviour.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Experience:

• This is an identified position. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Demonstrated experience in working effectively with Aboriginal communities and organisations.
• Experience managing and balancing multiple stakeholder relationships, including navigating and communicating risks and issues requiring resolution and facilitating respectful negotiation.
• Project Officer experience within a regulated, political, community-based organisation, or similar.
• Experience developing written and visual content for social media, reporting and information materials etc.
• NSW Driver's Licence and ability to drive and travel occasionally as required.
• Knowledge and understanding of Closing the Gap and the Aboriginal Community-Controlled Sector.
• Tertiary qualifications pertaining to research, Business Administration, data, ICT, policy, public administration, or similar.

Skills and Knowledge

• Knowledge and understanding of the cultural, values, social and economic needs of Aboriginal people, including but not limited to shared data access and Aboriginal Data Sovereignty & Governance.
• Strong communication and information-sharing skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders to achieve desired outcomes.

Personal Attributes

• Demonstrated political awareness and astuteness.
• Strong organisational skills, the ability to plan and prioritise, and solve problems and deliver results.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills.
• Integrity and commitment to Ethical Practice, Equity, Diversity and Occupational Health and Safety.