Program Lead - Culturally Safe Partnerships
MELBOURNE, VIC, AU, 3000
At Peter Mac we aim to continuously improve cancer care, research and education across all cancers and for all people affected by cancer: changing lives, breaking new ground. Everything we do is underpinned by our core values, Excellence, Compassion and Innovation. Welcoming people from a wide variety of different backgrounds and experiences is critical to fostering innovation, cultivating compassion, attracting and retaining top talent and providing the best possible cancer care for our patients.
YOUR ROLE IN THE FUTURE
Program Lead – Culturally Safe Partnerships
Part-time (0.63EFT) | Fixed Term 2 Years | Hybrid Work (Melbourne-based hub)
Lead with purpose. Partner for change.
The Western & Central Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (WCMICS), hosted by Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, is seeking a committed and collaborative Program Lead to drive a culturally safe cancer care initiative in partnership with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
The program – Walking together with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to enhance culturally safe cancer care – aims to strengthen access to screening, treatment, and supportive care by embedding Aboriginal leadership, voice, and priorities at every stage.
In this role, you’ll coordinate program delivery, support local partnerships, and champion culturally safe models of care across multiple health services.
What you’ll bring:
• Proven experience leading health projects or programs
• Deep understanding of culturally safe care and Aboriginal-led engagement
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Passion for driving equity in cancer care
Be part of something lasting. Walk with us toward better cancer care.
Remuneration starting from $80,000 - to be discussed with Hiring Manager.
Applicants to this role should provide a covering letter outlining relative key skills and experience to assist us with our assessment.
For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Hiring Manager: Kathy Quade
Phone Number: (03) 9855 9070
Email: Kathy.Quade@petermac.org
Applications Close: 11:59PM Tuesday 29th July 2025
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Position Summary
Background: Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to experience disproportionate cancer burden and poorer outcomes compared to non-Indigenous Australians. Systemic barriers, cultural safety concerns, and delayed access to screening and treatment contribute to these disparities. In response, WCMICS is partnering with Aboriginal-led organisations, health services, and communities to deliver a co-designed initiative that enhances culturally safe, accessible, and coordinated cancer care.
The project, Walking together with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples to enhance culturally safe cancer care, will improve cancer screening, early detection, treatment, and psychosocial support by embedding Aboriginal leadership and voice throughout its design and delivery.
About the role: The Program Lead will oversee the development and implementation of this critical initiative, ensuring meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, cultural safety across all components, and alignment with health service and system-wide priorities. The role will lead governance, stakeholder engagement, service delivery coordination, evaluation, and sustainability planning, with a focus on embedding culturally safe care practices across the WCMICS region.
This is a unique opportunity to lead a co-designed program that seeks to address long-standing inequities in cancer care and deliver lasting improvements in health outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Enterprise Agreement
Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Workers (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2025
Classification or Salary Range
HS4
Immunisation Risk Category
Immunisation Category C
Key Relationships
| Internal | • WCMICS Program Office and Governance Committee • Program Steering Committee • Clinical and executive staff at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Royal Melbourne Hospital, and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne |
| External | • Community Advisory Group • Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities • North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) • Other Integrated Cancer Services • Community organisations and psycho-oncology partners |
Skills
| Essential Requirements | • Tertiary qualification in healthcare, public policy or related field • Demonstrated experience leading complex health projects or programs, including planning, implementation, and evaluation. • Proven ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations. • Deep understanding of culturally safe care principles and Aboriginal-led engagement approaches. • Strong skills in stakeholder engagement, governance, and relationship management. • Familiarity with cancer care pathways, primary care, and/or psychosocial support systems. • High-level written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentations. |
| Desirable Requirements | • Lived experience as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. • Experience working within or in partnership with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). • Knowledge of the Victorian health system and cancer reform priorities. • Understanding of data governance, evaluation frameworks, and community-based participatory research methods. • Ability to be flexible with working hours and travel between sites |
Key Accountabilities
| Key Accountabilities | Demonstrated by / Key Performance Indicators |
| 1. Program coordination and project management | • Establish and manage culturally safe project governance structures including the Community Advisory Group, Project Steering Committee, and working groups. • Lead the development and oversight of detailed project plans, deliverables, and timelines to ensure alignment with grant objectives and community priorities. • Coordinate the implementation of key care models including the Aboriginal Patient Navigator (APN) role and cancer screening clinics across partner services. • Monitor and evaluate the accuracy of the data collected to ensure alignment with project objectives. • Monitor and evaluate referral pathways, workforce integration, and community engagement to ensure delivery of culturally responsive, high-quality care. • Identify and mitigate project risks, especially those related to cultural safety, stakeholder engagement, and sustainability. • Maintain compliance with funding agreements and ensure effective documentation and reporting. |
| 2. Communication and Relationship Management | • Build and nurture trusted, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations, and Elders. • Facilitate collaboration between Aboriginal-led organisations (VAHS), health services (PMCC, RMH, SVHM), and other partners to support co-design and shared ownership of the initiative. • Promote the visibility, relevance, and cultural integrity of the project through ongoing community engagement and advocacy. • Communicate project outcomes and updates clearly to diverse audiences, including consumers, clinicians, executives, and funding bodies. • Support local leads in preparing progress updates and ensure stakeholder communication strategies are culturally appropriate and inclusive. |
| 3. Leadership and strategy | • Provide strong, culturally grounded leadership across all phases of the project, ensuring Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander perspectives are central to decision-making. • Champion cultural safety and equity by embedding community priorities and lived experience into program design, implementation, and evaluation. • Lead the development of evaluation frameworks aligned with the Optimal Care Pathways and NSQHS Standards to measure impact and drive quality improvement. • Document lessons learned and share best practices to inform broader health system reforms. • Develop a sustainability strategy and business case to secure ongoing funding and integrate successful approaches into standard models of cancer care. |
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For further information about this opportunity, click Apply to be redirected to the Peter Mac Careers page where you can review the position profile. Alternatively, please contact us for a confidential discussion.
Peter Mac is a child safe organisation and has a commitment to child safety and wellbeing.
WHY WORK FOR PETER MAC
- Peter Mac offer a range of benefits which support our people both personally and professionally.
- Our staff benefits include award winning facilities, professional development and events, a health and wellbeing program, flexible work practices and policies and financial benefits such as salary packaging.
- We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.