Program Officer

Job Title  Program Officer (Identified)

Department: NBPU TIS 

Reports To: Executive Program Lead NBPU TIS 

Employment : Full time – Fixed term contract until 30 June 2027  

Location Adelaide Office, Hackney SA – Hybrid work arrangement  

Ninti considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 35(1)(b)(ii) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA) 

The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special/equal opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and [select appropriate jurisdiction/s from: s s 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT), s 65 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). 

The position/s is/are therefore only open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants.  

 

Position Summary  

The Program Officer plays a key role in supporting TIS grant recipients to connect them with the support available from the NBPU TIS. The Program Officer will work closely with the National Program Manager to identify, develop and deliver evidence-based support to grant recipients.   

About the National Best Practice Unit

The National Best Practice Unit Tackling Indigenous Smoking (NBPU TIS) supports tobacco grant recipients in their efforts to reduce the rates of smoking and vaping among the Indigenous population. 

 

Key Responsibilities  

Program Design and Implementation:

• Ensure projects and programs are co-designed with Indigenous communities, respecting cultural knowledge and practices.  

• Develop strategies that align with the unique cultural needs and aspirations of the Indigenous peoples.  

• Working with grant recipients to develop and deliver tailored support to assist them to meet the goals of the Tackling Indigenous Smoking program  

• Identifying workforce development needs/concerns and briefing them to Workforce Development Advisor 

• Assist the National Program Manager NBPU TIS to:  

• develop the annual action plan and to report on progress.   

• supervise other team members as required  

• Maintaining ethical standards in the conduct of program activities, especially in observing ethics and intellectual property protocols established by Ninti One to achieve effective practice in work with Indigenous organisations and communities.  

• Provide evidence-based information and practice protocols to RTCGs on tobacco control research and share information on developments and trends national and internationally. 

Stakeholder and Relationship Management

• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with NBPU team members, consortium members, grant recipients, expert providers, other Ninti One staff and departmental staff.   

• Contributing to an organisational culture that engenders cooperation with all stakeholders.   

• Working with Ninti One staff to engage with Aboriginal Community Researchers (ACRs) to support the work of the TIS team.   

• Build and maintain strong, culturally respectful relationships with Indigenous communities, elders, and stakeholders.  

• Facilitate collaboration that honours cultural protocols and promotes genuine partnerships.  

• Collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders from diverse locations across Australia to ensure cohesive program execution.  

Event and Workshop Planning  

• Organising and facilitating regional and national workshops involving grant recipients, key stakeholders and other experts  

• Participate in national and jurisdictional workshops and other TIS related forums. 

• Facilitate TIS training and workforce development forums with RTCGs. 

• Plan, implement and chair statewide strategic leadership group meetings on a continual basis. 

• Developing tools and strategies to engage TIS teams in the upskilling of their roles. 

Monitoring and Evaluation  

• Working with grant recipients to assist them to develop and implement performance monitoring and impact assessment activities to demonstrate progress towards achieving TIS program goals   

• Identifying and escalating critical issues within the established parameters and protocols of the program; make suggestions to resolve such critical issues.  

• Developing and maintaining working knowledge of social, political and scientific developments likely to impact on the TIS program, the work of NBPU TIS and its partners.  

• Review, monitor and provide feedback and support from a strategic perspective on Activity Work Plans and Performance Reports. 

 

This position description is intended to convey essential functions and responsibilities and is not an exhaustive list of tasks. Additional duties may be assigned as required by Ninti.  

 

Qualifications & Experience  

• In possession of or working towards a bachelor’s degree in a health-related discipline. 

• Demonstrated experience in and understanding of project management principles and models. 

• 3 years of more experience in project, community development role or similar experience. 

Skills & Abilities  

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Indigenous Australian society and culture and the challenges impacting Indigenous people and communities, especially in the context of the impacts of smoking and vaping.    

• Project, community development, or similar experience, with an understanding or experience of evidence-based practice and measuring change.  

• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills with the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities along with the ability to collaborate to achieve shared objectives and solve complex problems.  

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to communicate to a variety of stakeholders.   

• Ability to work in an organised and autonomous manner including the ability to prioritise workloads to meet deadlines.  

• • Demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office applications including Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.  

  Special Requirements  

  • To be eligible for employment with Ninti One applicants must be an Australian citizen 

  • Obtain and satisfy a national police history check 

  • Obtain a working with children and vulnerable people check 

  • Travel intra/interstate to remote and/or very remote locations may/will be required 

• Be a non-smoker and non-vaper – this position is funded by the Tackling Indigenous Smoking and Vaping Program (TIS)

  If you are interested in applying, please submit your expression of interest via our internal job Board on Employment Hero. Your EOI should briefly outline:

• Why you are interested in the role

• Relevant experience and skills you would bring to the team

Applications close: Friday 20 March 2026