Program Lead, Culture, Care, Connect
Full time Permanent
Based in Cairns
Salary: Wuchopperen Health Service Limited Enterprise Agreement (2023)
Social, Community, Homecare and Disability Employees and grade 7
$117,663.36- $122,575.33 per annum
Wuchopperen Health Service
‘A culturally dynamic community where everyone thrives in health and wellbeing’.
Wuchopperen is a Community Controlled Aboriginal Health Organisation providing holistic health care services to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Cairns.
Benefits of working with Wuchopperen:
We provide a positive work culture and a diverse and inclusive environment. Our people matter to us, and we are committed to supporting them:
- Competitive Salary + 12% Super + Salary Sacrifice (up to $15,899 for tax free benefits and $2,650 p/a for entertainment benefits).
- 5 weeks annual leave and 15 days personal leave pro rata.
- Commitment to professional development.
- EAP for employees and family members.
About the role:
The Culture Care Connect (CCC) program integrates suicide prevention initiatives within regional networks, focusing on awareness, early intervention, crisis support, and aftercare. It brings together communities and service providers to develop culturally appropriate solutions, tailored to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
The Program Lead is responsible for leading the co-design, implementation, and annual review of a Network Suicide Prevention Plan, in partnership with community and key stakeholders. The role supports the establishment of local suicide prevention networks and ensures services are culturally safe, accessible, and community led.
The Program Lead, reports to the Manager, Allied Health and supervises Aftercare Workers within the CCC program. This position works collaboratively with: Social Emotional Wellbeing Team, Clinical Psychologist, other clinic staff, and program staff.
Key responsibilities:
- Establish and maintain a regional suicide prevention network, including community leaders, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led services, and other community organisations.
- Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve access to culturally safe suicide prevention services.
- Review existing regional suicide prevention strategies, funding models, and identify new funding opportunities.
- Map existing mental health, suicide prevention, and wellbeing services—both Indigenous-led and mainstream, whilst identifying barriers to accessing these services.
- Identify local risk factors, especially for high-priority groups.
- Build strong, sustained relationships with sector stakeholders and referral pathways, along with facilitating quarterly network meetings to support coordinated activities.
- Lead the co-design and development of a comprehensive Network Suicide Prevention Plan with community input.
- Prepare and advocate for funding submissions to enhance local suicide prevention capacity.
- Collect and report statistical data relevant to performance indicators and share learnings by participating in Communities of Practice and best practices with other organisations.
- Participate in evaluation and data collection as per the NACCHO Monitoring and Evaluation Framework, whilst ensuring all reporting requirements align with the Service Agreement.
- Participate in organisational and community activities to advance the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Work within Wuchopperen’s Policies and Procedures including the Staff Code of Conduct and the Work Health and Safety requirements and contribute to continuous improvement processes to ensure compliance with relevant standards and safe, effective service delivery.
- Other duties as required, within your skills, experience and capacity.
Core Capabilities:
Assessment of merit for this role will be based on the knowledge, skills and experience, potential for development and personal qualities. The competencies listed below are considered to the most critical for success in this role.
For applicants to be successful in this role, they should demonstrate:
- Proven ability to lead community consultations and co-design culturally appropriate service models focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing.
- Knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander societies and cultures from an historical and contemporary perspective, including the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Experience in supervising or leading teams working with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation or suicide attempts.
- Extensively developed interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to liaise with a range of stakeholders as well as effectively advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, prioritise and meet deadlines, deal with matters of a sensitive and confidential nature.
- Demonstrated ability to meet and work within the core values and behaviours of Wuchopperen.
Qualifications and experience:
- A degree qualification and/or no less than five years (5) demonstrated experience working in health care and/or human services areas. A lesser qualification would be considered where the applicant can demonstrate the acquisition of considerable skills and extensive and diverse experience relevant to the position.
- It is a condition of employment in this role for the employee to be, and remain, vaccinated against measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), pertussis (whooping cough) and hepatitis B.
- It is recommended for the employee to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
- Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
- All employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, students, visitors, volunteers and fellow staff members. Employees must report any hazards or incidents, co-operate in emergency drills, undertake Workplace H&S training as required, and lodge risk assessments for all external and internal risk activities.
- The Program Lead is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
- It is a condition of employment that all employees are holders of a current and valid ‘blue card’ or Working with Children Check. This is at your cost. Employment cannot continue or commence if you do not have a ‘blue card’ or if your ‘blue card’ is withdrawn or is disqualified.
- Possession of a current CPR certificate or commitment to obtain within the first six weeks of employment is essential.
- Possession of a current Queensland “CA” class driver’s licence is essential.
- Commitment to work within the principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community control including a willingness to develop the leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.
- All employees are responsible for the safety of themselves, students, visitors, volunteers and fellow staff members. Employees must report any hazards or incidents, co-operate in emergency drills, undertake Workplace H&S training as required, and lodge risk assessments for all external and internal risk activities.
- Ability to use Microsoft products and the ability to use or willingness to gain proficiency in the client information management systems.
- Consent to a broader criminal history check at Wuchopperen’s cost.
Requirements:
- Hold a current Blue Card (for suitability to work with children and young people).
- Proof of qualifications is required to be provided prior to the commencement of duty.
- Possess a current driver’s licence.
- A commitment to adhere to Wuchopperen’s policies and procedures.
Applicants who do not address these requirements, will not be considered for shortlisting.
Note: Revised legislation requires applicants to hold a blue card prior to commencement. Refer to Qld Government’s Blue Card Services website for more information.
How to apply:
To be eligible for interview, applicants must submit a cover letter (no more than two pages), addressing the Core Capabilities and an up-to-date Resume including two referees and complete the screening questions provided from Employment Hero.
For more information contact Irene, Manager, Allied Health on 07 4080 1184
The above is an Identified position. It is a genuine occupational requirement that an Identified position be filled by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, as permitted by and arguable under section 25, 104 and 105 of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Act (1991).
Wuchopperen is a Child Safe Organisation and the safety and wellbeing of children is of utmost importance.
Closing date for applications: 5pm on Monday 5th May 2026
