Job description
Agency Department of Health Work unit Office of the Chief Psychiatrist
Job title Senior Policy Officer Designation Senior Administrative Officer 1
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $132,408 - $147,919 Location Darwin
Position number 1869 RTF 352408 Closing 13/08/2026
Contact officer Melissa Heywood on 08 8999 2945 or [email protected]
About the agency http://www.health.nt.gov.au/
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=352408
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the
OCPE website.

Primary objective
Lead strategic projects and reform initiatives that support the Chief Psychiatrist's statutory functions and contribute to improvements in
mental health safety, quality and clinical governance across the Northern Territory.

Key duties and responsibilities
1. Coordinate monitoring, reporting and compliance activities associated with the Chief Psychiatrist's legislative responsibilities under

the Mental Health and Related Services Act,



including the management of the Approved Procedures Quality Assurance Committee.
2. Provide leadership, coordination and management of the Executive Assistant and Safety and Quality Coordinator.
3. Provide expert advice and support to the Chief Psychiatrist on standards for quality and safety in mental health services, on workforce

development, policy and administrative processes.
4. Undertake reviews and assist in sensitive investigations into matters of a highly confidential nature.
5. Prepare high-quality ministerial documents, reports, discussion papers, submissions, evaluations and correspondence, and oversee the

development of the Chief Psychiatrist Annual Report
6. Maintain effective collaborative partnerships with key government and non-government stakeholders at local, Territory and national

levels.
7. Follow defined service quality standards, relevant legislation and work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work

being undertaken to ensure high quality, protected services and workplaces.
8. Foster a positive workplace culture through excellent leadership practices and role modelling behaviour, support learning and

development of staff.

Selection criteria
Essential
1. Demonstrated management experience in office coordination, staff supervision and workforce development.
2.



Demonstrated understanding of clinical governance frameworks, mental health legislation and regulatory oversight within the health

sector.
3. High-level knowledge of parliamentary and legislative processes, and proven capacity to operate in a politically sensitive environment.
4. Experience in review and development of standards and processes that address safety and quality in mental health service delivery,

including accreditation processes.
5. Demonstrated knowledge and experience in researching, analysing, coordinating information and data, managing complex projects

particularly in the government sector
6. Demonstrated experience in providing concise, relevant and timely advice, briefings and written reports to senior executive level.
7. Demonstrated high level experience in formulating, managing and facilitating policy development and review
8. High level knowledge of workforce development theory and evidence-based implementation of practice change projects.

Desirable
1. Tertiary qualification in health, management or a related discipline
2. Knowledge of key strategic reform directions in mental health and suicide prevention.

Further information
Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and
criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For
immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or
body substances), check with contact person for requirements.

📌 Senior Policy Officer (Darwin)
🏢 Department Of Health
📍 Darwin