Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs

Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs

The Aboriginal Health Council of SA (AHCSA) is the peak body representing Aboriginal Community Controlled Health and Substance Misuse services in South Australia at State and National levels.

Our primary role is to be the ‘health voice’ for all Aboriginal people in South Australia. We achieve this by advocating for the community and supporting workers with appropriate Aboriginal health programs based on a holistic perspective of health. Diversity and inclusion are at the core of who we are.

The Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs is responsible for providing leadership for public health programs delivered to Aboriginal people through the ACCHO sector, supporting AHCSA Member Services to deliver high-quality programs to their local communities, and delivering programs on behalf of the sector in areas of identified need.

This position also serves as AHCSA’s Senior Public Health Medical Officer (PHMO), leading public health strategy for the sector; providing high-quality specialist medical advice on public health issues impacting the Aboriginal population; and advocating for equitable and culturally appropriate primary health services for Aboriginal communities to address health disparities and improve health outcomes.

The Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs works closely with Member Services to ensure that public health programs are evidence-based and meet the needs of local Aboriginal communities. It provides specialist advice and assistance to Member Services on the design, delivery, monitoring, and evaluation of public health programs, supports Members to integrate programs within their ongoing operations, and assists to build the skills and knowledge of Members to sustainably manage the delivery of their programs. It also oversees the delivery and coordination of AHCSA-led public health programs across the sector.

The Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs is accountable and reports directly to the CEO, and works collaboratively as a member of the AHCSA Leadership Team to ensure the achievement of AHCSA’s objectives and strategic priorities.

The Senior PHMO / General Manager, Public Health Programs is a Full-Time, fixed-term two-year appointment.

Statement of Key Responsibilities

• Senior Public Health Medical Officer duties: Leading public health policy and strategy for the sector, providing specialist medical advice on public health issues, advocating for equitable and appropriate health services for Aboriginal communities to address health disparities and improve health outcomes.
  • Leading public health policy and strategy development at sector, state, and national levels including in the areas of chronic disease, communicable diseases, and environmental health.
  • Providing clinical oversight of culturally appropriate clinical care delivered to Aboriginal communities through AHCSA-led services.
  • Providing high-quality authoritative public health and clinical advice to AHCSA programs, Chief Executive Officer, Board, Member Services, government, and non-government organisations.
  • Promoting and providing guidance for the development and application of effective clinical governance systems within Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services in South Australia.
  • Providing clinical supervision and leadership, mentoring, guidance, and professional development opportunities for AHCSA’s Public Health Medical Officers.
  • Monitoring and developing strategies to strengthen service responses to public health issues across the sector in areas such as chronic disease, communicable diseases, and environmental health.
  • Mentoring public health students and Registrar Public Health Physicians.
• Developing priority programs in public health: Leading the co-design and development of evidence-informed and culturally appropriate priority public health programs (including in areas such as BBV/STI) in collaboration with Member Services.
  • Leading ongoing collaboration and engagement with Member Services to discuss current and emerging public health priorities, issues, and challenges for the ACCHO sector and individual Member Services.
  • Co-designing culturally appropriate evidence-based programs with Member Services that address public health challenges impacting Aboriginal communities informed by data and needs analysis, research, and community engagement.
  • Collaborating with Member Services to identify requirements for AHCSA to lead public health programs on behalf of the ACCHO sector, to complement local program offerings.
  • Managing stakeholder relationships and navigating complex systems involving health service providers, funders, and the community to build support and advocate for equitable and appropriate Aboriginal health programs.
• Leading coordination and transition of programs: Leading the coordination and transition of priority public health programs to operations, in collaboration with Member Services, optimising skills transfer to ensure Member Services are equipped to effectively manage and sustain the programs.
  • Overseeing the process to integrate priority public health programs into Member Services’ operational workflows.
  • Leading the development of tools and resources to support Member Services with the local implementation of public health programs and initiatives.
  • Overseeing delivery of skills transfer processes with Member Services to ensure staff have the necessary knowledge and tools for program sustainability, including through the coordination and provision of relevant training.
  • Overseeing the delivery of AHCSA-led public health programs across the ACCHO sector, including coordinating with Member Services and managing the logistics and operational aspects of the program.
• Coordinating evaluation of priority programs: Working in partnership with Member Services and the General Manager, Innovation, Evidence and Reform to determine the impact of public health programs within communities, identify opportunities for improvement and establish relevant strategies.
  • Collaborating with Member Services and the Innovation, Evidence and Reform Directorate to ensure the design of robust program evaluation frameworks, incorporating quantitative and qualitative methods to assess program impact.
  • Overseeing data analysis to measure the impact of public health programs and determine their alignment to program objectives.
  • Identifying gaps and opportunities for program refinement and leading processes for addressing and resolving any issues or challenges that arise in program delivery.
  • Communicating evaluation findings to Member Services and leveraging insights to inform decision-making and future public health program planning.
• Negotiating and managing agreements and other partnerships: Engaging with funding bodies and other partners to secure support for the delivery of public health programs for the ACCHO sector.
  • Working with the General Manager, Business Services and Deputy CEO / General Manager, Sector Development to identify and pursue funding sources and partnership opportunities to support public health programs for the ACCHO sector.
  • Working with the General Manager, Business Services and Deputy CEO / General Manager, Sector Development to negotiate funding and partnership agreements that secure support for public health program delivery within the ACCHO sector.
  • Overseeing the delivery of activities associated with funding and partnership agreements to ensure all requirements are met, including budget management and reporting.
  • Negotiating and supporting strategic collaborations with government, health services, universities, and community bodies on public health matters impacting Aboriginal communities working with the General Manager, Innovation, Evidence and Reform.
• Providing information and advice: Providing expert guidance and leadership on public health matters and approaches relevant to the ACCHO sector.
  • Monitoring and maintaining knowledge of current public health trends, evidence, and best practice and leading approaches for communicating public health information with the ACCHO sector, including through the development of public health support and information networks for AHCSA staff and Member Services.
  • Representing AHCSA on committees and working groups on public health matters, ensuring views are representative of the sector.
  • Providing reports and advice to the CEO, Board, and Member Services on current and emerging public health matters and the effectiveness of public health initiatives.
  • Providing high-quality advice to Member Services on public health policy and issues, health service planning, and program management approaches.
  • Providing advice, analysis, review, and commentary on public health matters and contributing to the development of policy positions, submissions, and reports from a public health perspective working with the General Manager, Innovation, Evidence and Reform.
  • Providing guidance on public health research relevant to the sector.
• Team Leadership: Providing effective leadership and management of the Public Health Programs Directorate to support delivery of high-quality and responsive functions.
  • Overseeing and monitoring the quality of the Public Health Programs Directorate’s work and ensuring alignment with organisational goals and objectives.
  • Leading regular team planning processes to determine the work program and priorities for the Public Health Programs Directorate.
  • Establishing systems and processes to facilitate information sharing and collaboration to build Public Health Programs Directorate capability, capacity, and support team cohesion.
  • Facilitating processes to ensure team members understand their roles and receive regular feedback and appraisals on their performance.
  • Gathering and contributing input from the perspective of the Public Health Programs Directorate into organisational strategic planning processes.
  • Promoting the work of the Public Health Programs Directorate across AHCSA and identifying opportunities for team development.
  • Overseeing the delivery of strategic projects led by the Public Health Programs Directorate.
  • Fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment for the Public Health Programs Directorate.

What we offer

• The opportunity to join the peak body representing Aboriginal community controlled health and substance misuse services in South Australia.
• Encourages work/life balance.
• An inclusive and diverse workplace.
• Great salary package and benefits.
• Generous leave provisions.

Educational/Vocational Qualifications

• Legally qualified Medical Practitioner, eligible for specialist registration by the Medical Board of South Australia.
• University-level training in Public Health (e.g., Undergraduate degree in Public Health or specialisation in Public Health through medical training).
• Specialist registration with the Medical Board of South Australia as a Fellow of the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine.

Conditions of Employment

• Some intra-state and interstate travel, including overnight absences will be required.
• Possession of a current driver’s licence is essential.
• National Policy Certificate required.
• Out of hours work will be required.

How to apply

Please apply via SEEK.

To be considered for the role you are required to submit a Resume and Suitability Statement.

The Suitability Statement (No more than 5 pages) has to address the Statement of Key Responsibilities included in the above as well as in the Job and Person Specification. Only applications that have addressed the Statement of Key Responsibilities will be considered.

Please contact Julian Snook, HR Manager at to request a copy of the Job and Person Specification or visit our webpage where it can be found under the Careers Tab – AHCSA Careers .

Please note, late applications will not be accepted.

No recruitment agencies please.

Closing Date for applications: 5:00 pm, 16 January 2025.

This position may be filled prior to the closing date of the Advertisement.

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

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