Principal Project Officer - Strategy and Reform

SA Health
Job reference: 922529
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

• Women’s and Children’s Health Network, Child and Family Health Service, Adelaide 5000
• Salary – ASO7, $112,163.00 - $121,246.00 + 12% Superannuation and Salary Sacrifice Benefits
• Full Time and Part Time available, multiple temporary (fixed term) contracts up until 2 July 2027

About WCHN
Join the Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN), South Australia’s leading provider of care for women, babies, children and young people. We’re shaping the future of healthcare through compassion, innovation and excellence — with our communities at the heart of everything we do.

What WCHN Can Offer You

• Access to salary packaging benefits of up to $9,010 each FBT year for living expenses (e.g. mortgage, rent, utilities, groceries), plus an additional $2,650 each FBT year for meal entertainment expenses.
• Access to Fitness Passport (workplace health and fitness program that gives you and your family access to a wide choice of gyms and pools across South Australia.)
• Free public transport to and from the Women’s and Children’s Hospital for SA Health metropolitan hospital staff (excludes network community sites).
• Support for you and your family via our Employee Assistance Program.
• Relocation financial support may be negotiated, subject to eligibility. Click here for details and contact the enquires person for further information.

About the role

Join a dynamic and purpose-driven team leading reform across the early years and community services sector to improve outcomes for children and families across South Australia.

We are seeking a strategic and collaborative Principal Project Officer to lead the development and delivery of high-impact reform initiatives that contribute to meaningful system change across the early years landscape.

Working within Child and Family Health Service (CaFHS) and the broader Women’s and Children’s Health Network (WCHN) Community Services portfolio, this role offers a unique opportunity to shape and influence statewide reform priorities, integrated service delivery and evidence-informed approaches that strengthen outcomes for children, families and communities.

The Principal Project Officer provides strategic leadership across complex reform projects and priority initiatives aligned to community services strategy, operational priorities and broader system reform agendas

Key duties of the role

• Leading the scoping, development, implementation and evaluation of strategic early years reform initiatives and service improvement projects.
• Driving innovation and system improvement through evidence-informed practice, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative problem solving.
• Providing high-level project leadership, strategic advice, and coordination support across complex and cross-sector reform programs.
• Translating policy, research, operational intelligence, and data insights into practical strategies that strengthen integrated service delivery and improve outcomes for children and families.
• Building strong partnerships and collaborative relationships across government, non-government, and research sectors to support collective impact and sustainable reform.
• Supporting senior leaders and multidisciplinary teams to deliver strategic priorities, organisational objectives, and broader whole-of-system outcomes.

Skills and Experience

• Demonstrated experience leading strategic projects and delivering outcomes in complex environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership-building capability across government and community sectors.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation and strategic thinking skills.
• The ability to navigate complexity, influence change and drive collaborative outcomes.
• Experience working within or alongside early years, child development, family support, health or community service systems will be highly regarded.

This is an opportunity to contribute to meaningful statewide reform and be part of a team committed to improving outcomes for children and families through collaboration, innovation and system leadership. You will work in a supportive and values-driven environment where strategic thinking, partnership and continuous improvement are highly valued!

Enquiries can be directed to

Josh Peacock

Manager, Strategy and Reform

0435 055 ***

**************@sa.gov.au

Want to learn more about career opportunities at WCHN? Click Here to discover how you can Realise Your Potential and join one of our many teams making a positive difference in the community.

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To learn more about this role — including key selection criteria, special conditions and minimum requirements — please refer to the attached role description and the document checklists below:

If you would like further information on applying and winning this role, go to our SA Health Careers Site for the Australian Applicant Guide or if you are an international applicant, check out the International Application Guide.

The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working part-time.  Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date: Sunday 23 August 2026 at 11:55pm

Applications close: 23/08/2026 11:55 PM

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.