• Location: Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst or Broken Hill
• Full-time maximum term contract to 30 June 2026 (with possibility of further extension) 

Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is currently seeking a motivated individual who has a passion for primary healthcare and community wellbeing. 

The WNSW PHN funds a range of health services and programs to improve access to care and better health for our communities. 

The Program Manager Alcohol and Other Drugs is responsible for providing subject matter leadership, expertise and advice to inform Western NSW Primary Health Network’s (WNSW PHN) approach to alcohol and other drugs and ensure the health needs of our communities are addressed.

The position can be based in any one of our offices including, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst or  Broken Hill.

If you have any questions about this position after you have read this document, please contact Nik Todorovski on 0428 249 132.

Key Responsibilities:

Responsible for WNSW PHN’s approach to alcohol and other drugs, including the design, establishment and monitoring of key program priorities in the alcohol and other drugs space. The role will have overarching responsibility for services commissioned by WNSW PHN, these may include, but are not limited to: 

• Mainstream alcohol and other drugs program
• First Nations alcohol and other drugs program

Planning and Needs Assessment

• Understand the needs and gaps in alcohol and other drugs services across the region.
• Establish local alcohol and other drugs priorities that are also informed by relevant State and Commonwealth initiatives.
• Contributed to the establishment of a Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. 

Service Commissioning and Delivery 

• Development of annual planning to inform the organisation’s approach to alcohol and other drugs program activity. 
• Ensure service design is informed by the WNSW PHN Needs Assessment, current evidence-based literature, consumer/lived experience feedback and is underpinned by the Quintuple Aim.
• Ensure service design includes evaluation measures to appropriately demonstrate commissioned services outcomes. 
• Ensure that Aboriginal Health is embedded in the design of commissioned services.
• Contribute to internal procurement processes, including preparation of relevant documentation and participation in tender evaluations as required. 
• Lead innovation through collaboration, co-design, and co-commissioning.
• Ensure achievement of identified priority actions within the Regional Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan. 
• Ensure all program funds are allocated to services/activities in a timely manner. 

Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation

• Develop and implement mechanisms to monitor, report and evaluate the effectiveness of the key program priorities in the alcohol and other drugs portfolio. 
• Work in collaboration with the Contracts and Service Performance team to contribute to the monitoring of service contracts. 
• Complete all required program reporting for funding agencies. 

Stakeholder Relationships

• Build and maintain strong sector relationships and networks to maximise opportunities for collaboration and ensure knowledge base is current.
• Work closely with commissioned services providers in the implementation of outcomes-based service delivery.
• Build strong relationships across the PHN network, exploring opportunities for cross-boundary learning and collaboration.

Line Management

• Provide effective leadership, management and direction to the team.
• Ensure that the team understand the objectives and direction of WNSW PHN and their part in achieving those objectives. 
• Responsible for the achievement of team’s outcomes and for setting and reviewing performance objectives and managing the annual performance review process for team. 

Work Health and Safety 

• Take reasonable care of their own health and safety and take reasonable care that their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons.
• Comply with WNSW PHN policies and procedures relating to health and safety.
• Be aware of individual responsibilities under the relevant Workplace Health and Safety legislation and report as necessary any untoward accident, incident or potentially hazardous environment.

Statement of Organisational Commitment 

The WNSW PHN is strategically focused on improving health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living and connected to our region and plays a leadership role in transitioning the primary health care system through the development of culturally safe and aware models of care, ensuring access to quality health care and commissioned services. WNSW PHN recognises Aboriginal people as the original inhabitants of Australia and as the Traditional Custodians of the land. We encourage and promote a culture of diversity within our workforce. To continue to improve the way we work with Aboriginal communities, we encourage recruitment of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within the region to add their voice to achieve health goals and priorities for our communities.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Graduate Degree qualifications in field relevant to the portfolio or substantial experience in the alcohol and other drugs field.
• Demonstrated understanding of Aboriginal culture including a commitment to cultural awareness and safety.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of alcohol and other drug activities and priorities at local, State and Commonwealth levels.
• Experience in interpreting research evidence and applying it to service design or delivery.
• Understanding of commissioning in the healthcare sector.
• Ability to lead a team and manage remotely located direct reports.
• Capacity to travel within Western NSW and holds a current driver’s licence 

Desirable

• Post graduate level qualifications in relevant portfolio field.
• Existing networks with groups relevant to portfolio.
• Knowledge and understanding of program logic and measuring outcomes.
• Experience working in the health, NGO or community services sectors 
• Experience in working with Aboriginal people, organisations and communities in view of planning and implementing services and achieving outcomes for Aboriginal people.
• Demonstrated high-level information communication technology skills.

About Western Health Alliance Ltd (WHAL) 

Trading as Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN)

The Western NSW PHN (WNSW PHN) is one of 31 Primary Health Networks across Australia. We are an independent, not-for-profit organisation funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health, established to support frontline health and wellbeing services. Our focus is to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of primary health care, ensuring people receive the right care in the right place at the right time.

WNSW PHN is an agile and high performing organisation that responds to the identified needs of the community, Commonwealth and State health policy, and the development needs of primary health care providers.   We work closely with general practice, Aboriginal Medical Services and other health care providers, Local Health Districts, non-government organisations and the broader community to plan and fund programs that support local health services to meet the health needs of our communities.

Benefits to working with WHAL

We pride ourselves on being supportive and flexible and offer a great range of benefits including:

• Generous salary packaging options up to $18,450 per year
• Family friendly and flexible working arrangements (including Hybrid model)
• Collaboration with passionate likeminded professionals
• 5 weeks annual leave 
• Additional leave between the Christmas and New Year period
• Option to purchase an additional 2 weeks leave or cash out 2 weeks
• Corporate Fitness Program (Fitness Passport)
• Professional development allowance and study leave
• 6 weeks paid parental leave
• Free Employment Assistance Program

Guidelines for applicants

These guidelines aim to assist you in submitting applications for advertised vacancies with the Western NSW PHN.

For an outline of responsibilities, position description, selection criteria and information on how to apply, please refer to the Employment tab in the ‘About’ section of our website https://wnswphn.org.au/workwithus

WNSW PHN is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

PLEASE NOTE: 

As part of your application, you must provide a separate statement addressing each of the selection criteria as well as your resume. If you do not provide these two documents, your application will automatically not be accepted.  

Applying for a position

• Obtain and carefully read the information pack for the position of interest.
• Conduct some initial research on the organisation by browsing the website and reading key resources.
• If you need to seek clarification or additional information on the organisation and/or the position, contact the appropriate person identified in the pack.
• Decide whether you possess, and can demonstrate your skills, experience, knowledge and ability against the selection criteria.
• When addressing the selection criteria, provide examples to demonstrate and substantiate your claims. Examples should outline a situation, identify the action you took and summarise the subsequent result. Keep your response to no more than two pages, plus your Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV).
• Be aware of the closing date and where and how to lodge your application. If, for any reason you cannot submit your application by the closing date, you should ring the contact officer to see if a late application will be accepted.
• If you require any special arrangements (e.g. wheelchair access, hearing or visual aids, etc.) to assist you to attend an interview, please discuss these with the contact officer when the interview is being arranged.

A full information pack is attached.