The Role

Senior Project Officer Aboriginal Disaster Preparedness

Location

Dubbo, Orange or Bathurst

Contract type

Full time contract to 30 June 2028

About the role

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is seeking a motivated individual with a passion for primary healthcare and community wellbeing.

WNSW PHN considers that being Aboriginal is a genuine occupational qualification under s14 of the Antidiscrimination Act 1977 (NSW). 

While WNSWPHN recognises that there are people of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent living across the region; reference is being made as Aboriginal in recognition of Aboriginal people being the first people of NSW.  

The Senior Project Officer Aboriginal Disaster Resilience and Emergency Preparedness is an identified Aboriginal position responsible for leading and coordinating Aboriginal disaster resilience, emergency preparedness, response and recovery initiatives across Western NSW.

Funded through the NSW Ministry of Health Flood Recovery Program, the position will work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council (AH&MRC), Local Health Districts, emergency management agencies and government partners to strengthen community resilience and preparedness for emergencies and disaster events.

The role will provide strategic leadership and project coordination to support the development of Aboriginal led emergency preparedness, response and recovery plans, facilitate regional collaboration, and oversee the implementation of disaster resilience initiatives funded across the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector.

The position directly contributes to the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) Strategic Plan, the Waluwin Framework and the National Agreement on Closing the Gap Priority Reforms by strengthening Aboriginal self-determination, supporting community-led planning, building capacity within the Aboriginal Community Controlled sector and improving culturally safe responses to emergency events.

The position can be based in any one of our offices in Dubbo, Orange or Bathurst.

Salary: Level 5, Grade 1 ($116,839 + superannuation).

If you have any questions about this position after you have read this Information Pack, please contact Donna Stanley on 0437 227 627.

Applications should be submitted via our Careers site by 11:59pm on 24 September 2026 and must include all components outlined here to be accepted.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Aboriginality. This is an Identified Aboriginal Position under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in public health, emergency management, disaster resilience, health administration, project management, community development or a related discipline, or equivalent demonstrated experience.

• Demonstrated experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.

• Experience working collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled organisations.

• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal health and wellbeing issues and the social determinants of health.

• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships with community, government and non-government stakeholders.

• High-level written communication skills, including preparation of reports, funding acquittals, briefings and presentations.

• Demonstrated ability to facilitate collaborative planning and community engagement processes.

• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.

• Demonstrated commitment to cultural safety, Aboriginal self-determination and community-led approaches.

• Capacity to travel within Western and Far West NSW and hold a current driver’s licence.

Desirable

• Experience in emergency management, disaster preparedness, resilience planning or recovery programs.

• Experience working within the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector.

• Knowledge of NSW emergency management arrangements, public health emergency frameworks and business continuity planning.

• Experience working with funding agreements, monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

• Knowledge of Closing the Gap Priority Reforms and Aboriginal policy frameworks.

• Experience working across regional and remote communities.

• Experience in health, NGO, or community services sectors.

About Western Health Alliance Ltd (WHAL) 

Western Health Alliance Ltd (WHAL) trades as Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN).

WNSW PHN is one of 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, established to support frontline health and wellbeing services. Our focus is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care, ensuring people receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

WNSW PHN is an agile and high performing organisation that responds to the identified needs of the community, Commonwealth and State health policy, and the development needs of primary health care providers. We work closely with general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services and other health care providers, Local Health Districts, non-government organisations and the broader community to plan and fund programs that support local health services to meet the health needs of our communities.

Benefits to working with us

We pride ourselves on being supportive and flexible and offer a great range of benefits including:

• Generous salary packaging options up to $18,450 per year

• Family friendly and flexible working arrangements (including Hybrid model)

• Collaboration with passionate, like-minded professionals

• 5 weeks annual leave 

• Additional leave between the Christmas and New Year period

• Option to purchase an additional 2 weeks leave or cash out 2 weeks

• Corporate Fitness Program (Fitness Passport)

• Professional development allowance and study leave

• 6 weeks paid parental leave

• Free Employment Assistance Program

Applying for this position

• Carefully read this information pack in its entirety.

• Conduct some initial research on our organisation by browsing our website.

• If you need to seek clarification or additional information about us and/or the position, contact the appropriate person identified in this pack. 

• Decide whether you possess and can demonstrate your skills, experience, knowledge and ability against the selection criteria in this Information Pack.

• When addressing the selection criteria, provide examples to demonstrate and substantiate your claims. Examples should outline a situation, identify the action you took and summarise the subsequent result. Keep your response to no more than two pages, plus your Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV).

• Be aware of the closing date and where and how to lodge your application. If, for any reason, you cannot submit your application by the closing date, you should ring the contact person to see if a late application will be accepted.

• If you require any special arrangements (e.g. wheelchair access, hearing or visual aids, etc.) to assist you in attending an interview, please discuss these with the contact person when the interview is being arranged.

WNSW PHN is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer, and we are committed to working towards Reconciliation (learn more about our Reconciliation journey on our website). 

This is an Identified Aboriginal Position under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).

What to include in your application

In order for your application to be accepted for this role, it must include:

• A cover letter introducing yourself and outlining your interest in the position

• Statement addressing each of the selection criteria within this Information Pack

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) that should include:

• contact details including telephone number and email address

• education/qualifications

• an employment history summary including (for each position):

• the employer

• start and finish dates

• your position/title

• your responsibilities and achievements in the position

• a summary of your skills

• professional memberships

• the names of two work related referees (must be work related and senior to the position you hold), and other relevant information that will support your application not covered elsewhere.

Submit your application

Applications should be submitted via our Careers site by 11:59pm on 24 September 2026.

Apply here: Work With Us | Western NSW Primary Health Network Careers