Senior Project Officer, Suicide Prevention

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC) in Sydney CBD NSW is seeking a Senior Project Officer, Suicide Prevention to lead culturally safe initiatives for Aboriginal communities. You will coordinate programs, training, and aftercare, working with ACCHOs, community members and stakeholders to reflect Aboriginal knowledge and lived experiences.

You will support policy development, research integration and reporting, while mentoring junior staff and driving continuous quality

Qualifications

• This is an identified position; Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants only.
• Qualifications in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• Experience coordinating programs or delivering projects within mental health, suicide prevention, social and emotional wellbeing, or related sectors.
• Understanding of suicide prevention, aftercare, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Aboriginal community settings.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Strong written communication, project planning, and reporting capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and provide leadership within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel across NSW or state-wide, including regional and remote communities.
• Experience working in or with ACCHOs or Aboriginal-led organisations.
• Ability to hold a National Police Check and current Working with Children Check.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support culturally safe suicide prevention initiatives.
• Coordinate community-based initiatives, awareness campaigns, and training workshops.
• Assist in developing culturally adapted resources, tools, and models of care.
• Coordinate training and professional development opportunities for ACCHO staff and community members.
• Represent AH&MRC in consultations, meetings, forums, reference groups and sector collaborations.
• Contribute to policy development and submissions relating to social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention.
• Support the integration of Aboriginal-led research and evidence into project planning and implementation.
• Undertake research and community engagement to inform policy and programs, translating evidence into practical, community-led approaches.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Written communication

Project planning

Reporting

Leadership

Education

Public Health, Social Work, or Psychology degree

Job description

Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council – Sydney CBD NSW

About the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC)

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 Role

The Senior Project Officer, Suicide Prevention is responsible for supporting the development, coordination, and delivery of culturally safe suicide prevention initiatives and for Aboriginal communities in NSW.

This role works closely with ACCHOs, community members, and stakeholders to implement early intervention, postvention, and community resilience programs that reflect Aboriginal knowledge systems and lived experiences.

Responsibilities

Project Management

• Coordinate and support the delivery of culturally safe suicide prevention and aftercare initiatives.
• Coordinate community-based initiatives, awareness campaigns, and training workshops.
• Assist in developing culturally adapted resources, tools, and models of care.
• Coordinate training and professional development opportunities for ACCHO staff and community members.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal communities, Elders, and local organisation to guide program design and ensuring cultural integrity.
• Represent AH&MRC in consultations, meetings, forums, reference groups and sector collaborations.
• Work collaboratively with ACCHOs, NSW Health, the NSW Mental Health Commission and national suicide prevention stakeholders.

Policy, Advocacy, and Research

• Contribute to policy development and submissions relating to social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention.
• Support the integration of Aboriginal-led research and evidence into project planning and implementation.
• Undertake research and community engagement to inform policy and programs, translating evidence into practical, community-led approaches that improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Reporting and Documentation

• Prepare timely and accurate reports, briefings, and project documentation.
• Provide project updates and reporting for internal and external stakeholders.

Organisational Support

• Contribute to organisational reporting, strategic priorities and continuous quality improvement.
• Provide mentoring and support to junior team members where required.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Experience

• This is an identified position. Applicants must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• Qualifications in Public Health, Social Work, Psychology, or a related discipline.
• Experience coordinating programs or delivering projects within mental health, suicide prevention, social and emotional wellbeing, or related sectors.
• Understanding of suicide prevention, aftercare, and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Aboriginal community settings.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and partnership-building skills.
• Strong written communication, project planning, and reporting capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and provide leadership within multidisciplinary teams.
• Willingness and ability to travel across NSW or state-wide, including regional and remote communities.
• Experience working in or with ACCHOs or Aboriginal-led organisations.
• Ability to hold a National Police Check and current Working with Children Check.