First Nations Project Officer - The National Preterm Birth Prevention Program
Ballarat Central, VIC, AU, 3350
About the role
This meaningful role provides cultural leadership and project support to ensure strategies aimed at reducing preterm birth are implemented in a culturally safe, respectful and inclusive way across participating sites. As the First Nations Project Officer, you will work closely with Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officers (AHLOs), Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), Koori Maternity Services (KMS), maternity services, and project teams to embed sustainable improvements that support better outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
This position is suited to someone who is deeply committed to cultural safety, experienced working with First Nations communities, and confident supporting collaborative project work that strengthens maternity care.
What you’ll do
- Support planning, implementation and monitoring of activities within the Partnering with First Nations Communities project stream
- Provide cultural advice and guidance to ensure all activities uphold cultural safety
- Build strong relationships with ACCHOs, KMS, AHLOs, hospitals and maternity providers
- Liaise between First Nations communities, project teams and health service stakeholders
- Facilitate communication and feedback from First Nations consumers and clinicians
- Contribute to culturally informed education and awareness initiatives
- Support culturally appropriate data collection and evaluation processes
- Help explore the sustainability and acceptability of preterm birth prevention strategies
Key Responsibilities
- Co‑design and implement culturally safe approaches to preterm birth prevention
- Support development of culturally inclusive models of care
- Strengthen local capability through collaboration and service partnerships
- Contribute to gathering baseline and post‑implementation data
- Support feedback loops to ensure First Nations voices guide project activities
- Assist in reporting, documentation and project timelines
- Promote culturally safe practice across all project touchpoints
- Uphold confidentiality, integrity and accountability in all interactions
About You
You’ll be someone who demonstrates:
-
Cultural leadership & respect
Deep respect for culture, identity and community, promoting cultural safety at all times. -
Compassion & empathy
Warmth, care and understanding when working with women, families and communities. -
Approachability & trust‑building
Ability to engage sensitively and build rapport with First Nations consumers, clinicians and stakeholders. -
Strong interpersonal communication
Clear and respectful communication, active listening and an ability to support difficult conversations. -
Critical thinking & problem‑solving
Ability to identify barriers and contribute to culturally safe solutions. -
Collaboration & teamwork
Works effectively with ACCHOs, KMS, AHLOs, midwifery teams, GPs and project staff. -
Integrity & accountability
Upholds confidentiality, professionalism and ethical behaviour.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
- Identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Strong understanding of First Nations health, wellbeing and cultural safety
- High‑level interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
- Experience working in health services or First Nations community organisations
- Ability to build relationships with multidisciplinary stakeholders
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail
- Self‑motivation and ability to manage workload independently
- Ability to maintain accurate records and work collaboratively with teams
- Basic computer skills (word processing, data entry)
- Experience in liaison, project work or community engagement
Desirable
- Nursing/Midwifery qualification or equivalent health qualification
- Previous project coordination or project management experience
- Experience with data collection or evaluation processes
To see a full copy of the Position Description please click here
Culture & Benefits
At Grampians Health, we recognise our staff are our greatest asset. We are committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our staff, patients, residents, visitors, volunteers and contractors at all sites.
- Flexible work arrangements and purchase leave opportunities
- Salary packaging for living expenses such as rent/mortgage plus meals, entertainment & holidays
- Access to Fitness Passport membership
- Staff rewards and recognition programs
Interested?
Click APPLY or if you wish to discuss the role prior to applying, contact Sherryn Elworthy on 0456 833 964 for a confidential discussion.
Job applications close: 15 April 2026
Diversity and Inclusion
All appointments are subject to a satisfactory police records check, immunisation clearance and Working with Children check and/or NDIS Worker Screening Check.
All employees must be willing and able to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when required, which at a minimum is a surgical mask. Additional PPE requirements are role dependent.
Grampians Health is a child safe organisation, committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people. Grampians Health is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive workforce.
We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mature age workers and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (or questioning), intersex and asexual LGBTQIA+.
