Senior Project Officer, Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Reform

Senior Project Officer, Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Reform

Mental Health Commission of NSW – Sydney NSW

Senior Aboriginal Project Officer

Suicide Prevention Reform

Clerk award 9 / 10

Full Time Permanent

Salary Range : $129,464 - $142,665 (plus superannuation and leave loading).

See here for further details on the Crown Clerk pay rates.

The Mental Health Commission NSW is seeking interested applicants for the position Senior Aboriginal Project Officer, Suicide Prevention Reform. This is an exciting opportunity to manage and deliver suicide prevention projects and initiatives that drive systemic reform across NSW.

Role of Mental Health Commission NSW

The Mental Health Commission of New South Wales (the Commission) was established in July 2012. The Commission's purpose is to lead, drive and measure mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention reform across whole of government. Our progressive work shapes contemporary policies to achieve the best outcomes for the people of NSW.

The Commission works with government agencies, peak bodies, community-managed organisations, academics, advocacy groups and service providers. We believe this approach, with close collaboration in all aspects of our work, will achieve stronger services and better outcomes for all people in NSW.

We are based in the Sydney CBD and have agreed flexible working arrangements.

The Mental Health Commission is committed to equal employment opportunity and embraces diversity and inclusion within its workforce. As such, people from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Primary Purpose of the Role

The Senior Aboriginal Project Officer is a key member of the System Reform Team reporting to the Manager, Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Reform. The role manages a range of concurrent projects and initiatives either as project lead and / or as part of the Aboriginal suicide prevention project team. The role oversees all aspects of project planning, development and implementation including developing project plans, coordinating resources, managing budgets, reporting requirements and evaluation to ensure project outcomes are achieved on time and on budget in line with established project management methodology.

About You

You are a proactive, outcomes-driven, professional with strong understanding of Aboriginal communities and strong knowledge of suicide prevention and project management. You bring cultural competence, strategic thinking, and the ability to manage and deliver complex projects with multiple stakeholders. You bring a commitment to evidence-based practice, culturally sensitive practice and improving service deliverables and outcomes.

You excel at managing, coordinating and contributing to project activities, overseeing timelines, working with stakeholders and turning policy directions into practical, measurable actions. Skilled in analysing information, you prepare high-quality briefs and reports that support informed decision-making.

You have excellent communication skills, superior writing ability, and a commitment to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW. A natural communicator and collaborator, you build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation. You bring sound judgement, ethical leadership, and the ability to simplify complex governance matters, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Essential Requirements : (to be addressed in your application)

• This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
• Experience working within the suicide prevention system and / or related fields and / or relevant tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g. health related, social policy or public health).
• Extensive project management experience with a working knowledge of contemporary project methodology.
• Highly developed interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, demonstrated ability to influence, negotiate and build effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the role of the NSW Mental Health Commission and the broad range of issues affecting people with lived experience of suicidal distress and caring, families and kinship groups.
• Facilitate collaboration across government agencies, and with Aboriginal people with lived and living experience of suicide, promoting a social determinants approach to suicide prevention.

For a full list of the Key Accountabilities and Key Challenges, please see PD link here

How to apply

For applications to be considered, candidates must upload a current resume and a cover letter up to a maximum of 3 pages outlining your interest in the role and how you meet each of the essential requirements of the role. The cover letter is to also outline your capabilities and relevant experience to this role.

For more information on how to apply for a role in the NSW Public Sector please click here.

Click here for the role LINK TO PD HERE

For role related queries or questions please contact Vanessa Brunker, Manager Aboriginal Suicide Prevention via email

Applications close : Wednesday 19 November to Tuesday 2 December 2025 (11.59pm)

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