Senior Policy Officer – Mental Health

About the Opportunity

Location: Highgate, Perth WA
Employment Type: Full Time
Employment Category: Fixed Term to 31 October 2022
Remuneration: $86,569.58 – $98,112.19 per annum pro rata + superannuation + salary sacrifice

The Senior Policy Officer – Mental Health reports to the Policy and Strategy Manager and is accountable to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The role is responsible for maintaining expert knowledge and awareness of issues, trends and legislative changes across national and state policy issues relating to mental health policy matters, and will take a lead role in providing strategic advice on policy matters that will impact the mental health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people in WA.

The occupant is also responsible for advocacy and stakeholder engagement regarding mental health and social and emotional wellbeing services, on behalf of the Aboriginal Health Council of WA (AHCWA). This position will further support AHCWA by representing the interests of Aboriginal Western Australians in a range of forums to influence government policy and programs and partner with stakeholders to achieve improved mental health outcomes.

To view the full position description and selection criteria, click here or visit https://www.ahcwa.org.au

About You

To be considered for this position, you must have:

• A relevant clinical qualification, e.g. Counselling, Social Work, Psychology, Aboriginal Health Worker / Aboriginal Health Practitioner, Mental Health Nurse or Registered Nurse.
• Clinical knowledge, skills and experience (ideally a minimum of 2-3 years) within a mental health or social and emotional wellbeing role.
• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality written materials including submissions, position papers, briefing notes, reports and correspondence.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills including negotiation and consultation skills, and the ability to proactively establish and sustain effective stakeholder relationships.
• Excellent time management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet strict deadlines.
• High level of initiative with the ability to be proactive and work autonomously as required.
• The ability to uphold the principles of cultural sensitivity including an ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Ideally, in addition to be above, we are looking for someone who:

• Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and is acknowledged as such by their community.
• Has previous experience working in a health, social or public policy environment.
• Has the ability to provide strategic policy advice.
• Possesses skills in the formulation, development, analysis and evaluation of policy, or evidence of the capacity to develop those skills.
• Has a sound understanding of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health sector and relevant mental health policies.
• Has demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectably with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ensure that their views are incorporated into mental health service planning, development and implementation.

The position involves working within a multicultural organisation where the majority of employees, clients and stakeholders identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. Candidates must be able to demonstrate an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Please note: In addition to the above skills and experience, the successful candidate will require an unrestricted WA “C” Class Driver’s Licence, and be required to submit a National Police Clearance (dated within 3 months) prior to appointment.

Applicants for this position must be legally entitled to work in Australia and will be required to provide evidence of this entitlement, such as an Australian or New Zealand passport, birth certificate, or foreign passport with a relevant working visa.

In accordance with AHCWA’s COVID-19 Safety Policy and Procedure, all employees are required to be fully vaccinated (including any booster shots if required) against COVID-19. Applicants will be required to demonstrate proof of vaccination prior to appointment. This includes either an immunisation history statement or a COVID-19 digital certificate.

About the Benefits

While you will face diverse new challenges in the role, you will also enjoy an attractive remuneration package including a base salary of $86,569.58 – $98,112.19 per annum pro rata plus superannuation. You’ll also gain access to generous salary packaging options, which will greatly increase your take home pay. In addition, you will have access to a number of fantastic benefits including:

• Flexible work arrangements and a family friendly work environment
• Support to further invest in your career through additional training and development
• Up to 10 days’ Study Leave per year
• 17.5% Annual Leave loading
• Bring Your Dog To Work Day
• Employee Assistance Program
• Up to 2 days’ Volunteer Leave per year
• Health and wellbeing initiatives

Please note there is no closing date for this position. Applications will be assessed on submission and interviews scheduled accordingly. We encourage interested candidates to express their interest without delay!

For further information about this position please call Lailah Eloche, People and Culture Officer, on 08 9227 1631.

As per section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA) AHCWA actively seeks to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and stakeholders and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

About the Organisation

The Aboriginal Health Council of Western Australia (AHCWA) is the peak body for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) in Western Australia. We exist to support and act on behalf of our 23 Member ACCHS throughout WA, actively responding to their individual and collective needs.

Governed by an Aboriginal Board of Directors who represent all regions in Western Australia, AHCWA aims to promote and strengthen the ACCHS’ Model of Care; a model that is built around the delivery of comprehensive, holistic, and culturally secure primary health care services.

AHCWA is a community organisation that focusses on making a difference to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people. We work together as a team; to respect and understand the social and cultural needs; to network; to provide support; to advocate; to influence policy; to monitor performance; and to build work capacity to help improve and strengthen the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal people and their communities.

AHCWA is centrally located on the bustling and vibrant Beaufort Street café strip, and offers a flexible and family friendly workplace with a wide range of benefits to suit all employees.

AHCWA also has a training and development centre that delivers a variety of training programs and short courses to enhance the capacity of the ACCHS workforce.

The organisation operates on the foundational pillars of Aboriginal leadership, self-determination and cultural diversity that underpin and shape the way the organisation conducts its business.

These values are designed to guide and promote a strong, high performing organisational culture that is responsive to the state-wide needs of our Member Services and assist us in delivering our vision.

Culture | Resilience | Accountability | Collaboration | Passion | Integrity

To find out more about AHCWA, visit our website at www.ahcwa.org.au

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