Health Adviser, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – LE6 - Geneva – On-going

About the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (Health) supports the government to lead and shape Australia’s health, disability and aged care systems through evidence-based policy, well targeted programs, and best practice regulation. Health’s vision is to deliver better health and wellbeing for all Australians, now and for future generations. Health has a lead role in ensuring Australians can access the highest quality health, disability and aged care services they need when they need it – safely, conveniently and affordably.

Health has a critical role in protecting and improving Australia's health and the health of other nations by contributing strategically and effectively as a member of the global community to international health issues. Health administers the World Health Organization Act (1947) and has a key role in ensuring the World Health Organization (WHO) operates effectively, focussing on the development of high quality, evidence-based guidance which can be implemented to benefit the Australian public and regional partners. Additionally, Health plays a key role in connecting domestic policy initiatives and centres of excellence, to help shape the normative work of the WHO.

About the position

The Health Adviser is engaged by and based in the Australian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva as a key member of the Mission’s health team. Working to the Counsellor (Health and Development), the Health Adviser works within a small, close-knit team to represent Australia’s domestic and international health policy interests in Geneva’s UN and multilateral institutions. The Health Adviser position is funded by Health and has a particular focus on Health’s portfolio interests, including engaging, negotiating and advocating within the WHO and with WHO Member States on technical and normative health policy issues and matters relating to organisational governance and management. The role also works as part of the health team to support the Head of Mission and senior Mission officers on health-related matters while maintaining close and structured engagement with Canberra-based officials. The Health Adviser also supports Australia’s role in broader international health fora and on other health matters, as directed.

Key responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

• Deliver the Australian Mission’s health policy agenda by providing strategic advice and supporting whole-of-Mission engagement on health issues of strategic importance to Australia.
• Lead complex and sensitive international health policy work, including shaping policy positions, resolving high-risk or contested issues and providing expert advice on issues of strategic significance to Australia.
• Develop and deliver high-quality, timely policy advice and analysis to Canberra-based Health officers, exercising sound judgement to inform briefings and advice to Health Portfolio Ministers, senior officials and the Executive on emerging issues risks and key priorities.
• Exercise a high degree of independence in decision-making to manage competing priorities, assess policy risks and progress complex issues, ensuring alignment with Australia’s health policy objectives and broader foreign and trade priorities.
• Represent Australia in multilateral, intergovernmental and other international forums, advancing Australia’s interests, influencing outcomes and leading negotiations on health policy issues.
• Shape international health policy norms and standards by translating Australia’s domestic health system architecture, policy settings and reform priorities into international negotiations, ensuring alignment with Australia’s strategic and geostrategic interests.
• Prepare and coordinate high-quality written outputs, including complex briefings, ministerial correspondence, policy proposals, submissions and presentations, ensuring accuracy, strategic alignment and timeliness.
• Establish, manage and leverage senior stakeholder relationships across government, international organisations and partner agencies to influence outcomes, resolve complex issues and drive collaboration in support of Australia’s objectives.
• Support strategic partnerships and collaboration with international agencies and stakeholders, identifying opportunities to advance Australia’s priorities and delivering coordinated outcomes across policy areas.
• Oversee and strategically manage official visits, high-level meetings and events, including designing programs, managing risks and sensitivities, and providing senior-level support to visiting delegations consistent with Mission requirements and guidelines.

Required Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated deep and contemporary knowledge of the Australian health system, Health portfolio responsibilities and national policy priorities, preferably including recent experience within, or closely working with, the Australian Department of Health, Disability and Ageing or equivalent, with the ability to represent and explain Australia’s positions credibly in international settings.
• Recent experience contributing to Australian Government health policy development or implementation, including direct exposure to current domestic reform priorities and Health’s operating environment.
• Proven ability to manage complex, sensitive work in environments characterised by competing priorities, conflicting interests and high stakeholder expectations, including experience in international or globally relevant policy contexts.
• Highly developed communication, negotiation and representational skills, including the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and represent the organisation in public and international forums.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capability, with the ability to assess issues, identify risks and opportunities and contribute to policy development.
• Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in diverse, cross-cultural environments, working both independently and collaboratively to deliver outcomes under pressure and to tight deadlines.
• Strong organisational and governance capability, establishing effective reporting practices and maintaining clear, consistent engagement with stakeholders within the Mission and in Canberra, including strong two-way policy alignment and information flow.
• Undergraduate or graduate degree in a relevant field (such as global health policy, public health, international relations, international development, law, or public administration).

Security Requirements

• Australian NV2 security clearance or the ability to obtain and maintain this. Therefore applicants must hold Australian citizenship to be considered.
• Please note that candidates who hold citizenship or dual citizenship of Switzerland are not eligible for an Australian Security Clearance.

How to Apply

Please provide a written pitch of no more than 500 words demonstrating your suitability to perform the key responsibilities of the position. Your pitch is your opportunity to tell us why you are the right candidate for the role. It will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate, or have the potential to develop, the required skills, knowledge, experience and qualifications to proficiently perform the role. Relevant examples and accomplishments will strengthen your application.

Please note that the panel may not assess responses which exceed the word limit.

The Human Resources Section based in the Australian High Commission, London is responsible for managing all recruitment processes across the European region. To apply and for further information, please click Apply or click to send email to Write an email.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds who share our values.