About AMSANT

AMSANT is the peak body for Aboriginal community-controlled health services in the Northern Territory and advocates for equity in health, focusing on supporting the provision of high quality comprehensive primary health care services for Aboriginal communities.

Benefits

- Salary packaging up to $15,899.94 pa.
- Employer superannuation contribution.
- Six weeks annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading
- Personal/carers leave up to 15 days per year.
- 10 days per year study leave can be negotiated.
- Professional development opportunities up to $3,000 per year.
- 10 days ceremonial leave.
- Access to a free employee assistance program.
- Ex gratia leave of three paid days during the Christmas shutdown period (excl. casuals)

About the role

Contract duration: Ongoing, dependent on funding

Contract type: Full-time, 38 hours per week

Work hours: Monday - Friday, 08:00am - 04:30pm

Location: Darwin / Alice Springs

Salary: $118,601.75 - $133,015.14 p.a. plus superannuation

Role description

Reporting to the Policy & Advocacy Lead, the Senior Policy Officer leads policy analysis, advocacy and strategic reform work across one or more assigned portfolios, with a strong and targeted focus on Northern Territory-wide health workforce policy, planning and reform. The role undertakes research, develops policy advice and delivers high-quality written outputs to support AMSANT's policy and advocacy agenda, with particular attention to building and sustaining a culturally safe, skilled and sustainable health workforce for Aboriginal communities across the NT.

The role plays a key part in advancing AMSANT's workforce policy priorities, including workforce development, multidisciplinary workforce planning, workforce sustainability, recruitment and retention, education and training pathways, and broader system reforms affecting the delivery of comprehensive primary health care across the Northern Territory.

In addition, the Senior Policy Officer provides secretariat and coordination support for strategic forums, committees, working groups and stakeholder partnerships relevant to AMSANT's policy and advocacy priorities, ensuring effective governance, stakeholder engagement and follow-up of agreed actions. In particular the position will provide active and strategic secretariat support to the NT Aboriginal Health Forum’s NT Workforce EAG subcommittee.

This role works with a high level of organisation and autonomy,



providing strategic advice across its portfolios and functions. Assigned policy portfolios and strategic areas may change over time as priorities shift.

Responsibilities

1. Provide high-quality secretariat support to forums, advisory groups, committees and working groups, including agenda development, preparation of papers, meeting coordination, recording decisions and monitoring action items.
2. Monitor, analyse and respond to workforce policy developments, reforms and funding initiatives affecting the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Sector and broader NT health workforce.
3. Lead policy analysis, advice and advocacy across assigned portfolio areas, as directed by the CEO or team manager.
4. Develop policy positions and advocacy initiatives to strengthen workforce recruitment, retention, development and sustainability across Aboriginal primary health care services.
5. Facilitate collaboration and communication between AMSANT, member services, government agencies, peak bodies and other stakeholders to advance policy and reform priorities.
6. Represent AMSANT at meetings, forums and consultations as required.
7. Support and mentor more junior policy staff and assist with project or team leadership as directed.
8. Other duties as agreed with the Policy & Advocacy Lead or team manager.

Selection Criteria (qualifications and attributes)Essential
1. Cultural knowledge: Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
2. Cultural safety: Demonstrated commitment to cultural safety, with experience engaging respectfully with Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners.
3. Strategic acumen: Ability to understand complex intergovernmental and sector systems, anticipate implications and next moves, and translate that thinking into AMSANT's strategic positioning, not just administrative coordination.
4. Organisational acumen: Exceptional organisational and coordination skills, with the ability to drive work and manage competing priorities.



This includes staying on top of NTAHF's strategic workplan and action register at all times and proactively following up with partners to keep commitments moving.
5. Policy experience: Extensive experience (2+ years) in policy, advocacy or related roles, preferably in health, workforce, Aboriginal affairs, community services or government sectors.

- Policy processes: Understanding of policy and government processes as they affect Aboriginal people, or the ability to develop this.
- Policy analysis: Ability to research and analyse policy priorities, drawing on evidence and data.
- Policy writing: The capability to develop high-quality policy documents using research evidence and data, for a broad range of audiences.

- Health workforce policy knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of, or ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, health workforce policy, planning and reform issues affecting Aboriginal health services and the Northern Territory health system.
- Relationships and engagement: Strong relationship-building and engagement skills, particularly with Aboriginal people, communities and organisations.
- Communication: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively on a broad range of topics and priorities, to audiences including senior sector leaders.
- Travel: Willingness and ability to travel within the NT and interstate.
Desirable

1. Sector knowledge: Knowledge of ACCHSs and Aboriginal health policy is desirable. Where this isn't already held, candidates should be able to demonstrate they can build sector and system knowledge quickly, drawing on strong analytical skills and a track record of getting across new, complex environments quick.
2. Relevant tertiary qualifications, or equivalent professional or lived experience.
3. Experience in the Aboriginal community-controlled sector.

How to apply

Your application should consist of a resume and cover letter addressing the above selection criteria. Please address your cover letter to the Hiring Manager detailing why you wish to work at AMSANT, and the attributes, skills and experience you would bring to the role.

If you have any queries or would like any additional information about this role, please contact the HR team at ••••@amsant.org.au.

Applications closing on: - Thursday, 10th December 2026.

Applications will be reviewed upon receipt.

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

📌 Senior Policy Officer (Darwin)
🏢 Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory
📍 Darwin