Program Officer, Children and Youth

**Program Officer, Children and Youth**:

- Docklands, Australia
- Reference: 6763118
- **Exciting opportunity to support and shape youth-focused mental health services that make a real impact in the lives of children and young people.**:

- ** Full-time (1.0 FTE), Maximum Term role until 30 June 2027.**:

- ** Salary starting approx. $71,200.00 + superannuation + eligibility for salary packaging**:

- ** Generous NFP salary packaging options for up to $18,550**:

- **Docklands office location with option to work some days at home**

The Program Officer, Children and Youth support the commissioning of Commonwealth-funded primary health and mental health services focused on children and young people.

Working collaboratively with internal teams and external stakeholders, such as headspace and other youth mental health providers - the role contributes to all stages of the commissioning process, in line with the NWMPHN Commissioning Framework. This includes overseeing projects to ensure they deliver high-quality outcomes.

A key focus of the role is supporting the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of services that improve health and wellbeing for young people in our region. Strong engagement with providers and a clear understanding of their operating context are essential, as is ensuring the voices of consumers and carers are used to drive service improvement.

**About Us**

We are North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN), Victoria's largest independent, locally governed and run, not-for-profit PHN, dedicated to improving primary health care in our community.

**What are PHNs?**

PHNs have been established with two key objectives:

- increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of services for community members, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes
- improving coordination of care to ensure people receive the right care in the right place, at the right time

**A typical week may include**:

- Collaborating with stakeholders such as headspace and youth service providers to support integrated and coordinated care.
- Supporting the design, implementation, and evaluation of commissioned programs aligned with youth mental health priorities.
- Monitoring project milestones and contract compliance to ensure services are delivered effectively and meet quality standards.
- Commissioning sustainable services that are coordinated, accessible and person-centred and evidence based.
- Support commissioned agencies to manage contractual arrangements and ensure effective and efficient delivery of children and youth services.
- Implement and utilise project management approaches, tools and templates to ensure the delivery of work plans and priorities.
- Analysing program data and preparing reports for internal and external stakeholders, including funders.
- Contributing to continuous improvement of commissioning processes and identifying opportunities for innovation and better outcomes.

**We are looking for someone who has**:

- Understanding of the Australian primary health care system, including understanding of health care delivery systems and patient care approaches such as coordination of care.
- Experience successfully managing multiple projects or programs, involving a range of different stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience in contract and performance management in a health-related field.
- Conceptual, analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills.
- Capacity to work both autonomously and in a self-managed team environment on a range of diverse issues to meet stringent project requirements.
- Demonstrated capability for quality written communications, including the preparation of reports to a professional standard.
- Communication skills, including influencing and relationship management skills including the ability to develop and maintain strong collaborative partnerships.
- Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities to achieve agreed outcomes.

**What's in it for you?**
- A friendly and supportive professional environment
- Career progression opportunities
- Great work-life balance (Hybrid options to work from home and in office)

**Other Benefits**:

- Life Leave - up to 6 days of paid leave a year for cultural celebrations, family events, or your birthday
- Generous paid parental leave for primary and secondary carers
- Additional paid leave at Christmas/NY
- Fun social club and health and wellbeing activities

**NWMPHN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We recognise the importance of attracting and retaining talent that mirrors our diverse community. Applicants from Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background are strongly encouraged to apply.**
- Applications Close: 02 Jun 2025