Senior Project Officer

Part-Time (0.8FTE) or Full-Time, 12-Month Contract

SAHMRI considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

SAHMRI is located on the lands of the Kaurna people, the Traditional Custodians of Adelaide and the greater Adelaide region. We acknowledge and pay respect to the Traditional Custodians across South Australia.

The Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance (ACRA) brings together researchers, Aboriginal community members, policymakers, and service providers to facilitate community-driven, culturally respectful research that benefits Aboriginal families and communities. Working in partnership with SAHMRI's Women and Kids Theme, ACRA focuses on translating research into improved, culturally appropriate healthcare services that support the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal mothers, fathers, children, families and communities.

About the Role

An exciting opportunity is available within the ACRA team for a
Senior Project Officer.
This position will support the newly developed Gumnut Babies Program and will be key in supporting the implementation of the program across two sites including follow up and evaluation.

The Gumnut Babies program
is a 16 - week parenting program specific for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mothers and their babies up to 2.5 years of age and a key support person for the mother. The Gumnut Babies Program is designed to nurture strong and healthy relationships between mothers and babies within the context of Aboriginal families, kinship systems, culture and communities, by honouring Aboriginal cultural traditions, promoting healing and empowerment, and fostering supportive relationships. The program aspires not only to strengthen the bond between mothers and infants but also empower families to thrive in all aspects of their life.

This diverse role will also offer a broader opportunity to become involved in other ACRA projects and activities including community engagement and consultation; assisting in the development and pre-testing of culturally appropriate activities and questionnaires; and collecting quantitative data.

Key responsibilities include:

• Manage day to day operations of the program including scheduling and bookings
• Work closely with Aboriginal mothers and families throughout the program
• Engaging program staff support people such as Elders
• Organising program site locations, local Aboriginal community organisations and Aboriginal Family Birthing Programs within local hospitals to facilitate recruitment and running of the program
• Develop administrative procedures to ensure quality service standards, outputs and outcomes are achieved
• Evaluate the program from planning, implementing and final report

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• Qualifications in Psychology, Counselling, Narrative Therapy or Wellbeing training and groupwork.
• Extensive experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
• Knowledge of group work practice and delivery within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations
• Knowledge and experience in the delivery of trauma informed therapeutic activities
• Highly developed communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to be able to relate with and liaise with a broad group of people such as families, mothers, team members, stakeholders, community members and governance groups
• Experience utilising a strengths-based and holistic approach to service delivery and engagement with Aboriginal mothers and families
• Experience in the provision of culturally competent, inclusive, respectful service and system responses for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and communities
• Some experience in the collection and collation of data using questionnaires and yarning methods

Desirable

• Knowledge of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Knowledge of Perinatal Infant Maternal mental health
• Ability to write and prepare information sheets, abstracts for conferences and review ethics applications

Special Requirements

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Some out of hours work may be required.
• DCSI Employment Screening and Police Checks are required.
• Some regional and local travel will be required
• SAHMRI is required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy for SAHMRI employees carrying out work in any SA Health Facility. Immunisation Risk for this position is Category C

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community. Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Feda Ali, Care and Connect Program Coordinator at

Applications close: Sunday 7th December 2025