Project Lead - Food Systems Connector for Food First in the West
- Location: Sunshine Hospital
- Employment Type: Fixed Term, Full Time until December 2028
- Salary: MI63 Level 3
About the role
Join a dynamic public health team as the Food Systems Connector, leading a collaborative regional partnership ('Food First in the West') to connect and strengthen local-level food systems action to expand access to affordable, culturally-appropriate, local, and nutritious food in Melbourne’s central and western suburbs.
This new role will work autonomously and collaboratively to facilitate the governance, coordination, communications and reporting for the Food First in the West partnership and associated deliverables, as part of the VicHealth Local partnerships for Food First.
About the Western Public Health Unit
The Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) is one of three metropolitan Local Public Health Units (LPHUs), and alongside six regional LPHUs forms a collaborative Network to deliver frontline public health for Victoria. The LPHU Network works closely with the Victorian Department of Health to provide for local and regional responses to communicable and non-communicable diseases through community partnerships and local public health initiatives.
Led and coordinated by Western Health, WPHU serves over 1.3 million people across the local government areas of Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melbourne, Melton, Merri-bek, Moonee Valley and Wyndham. WPHU investigates and manages cases and outbreaks of notifiable conditions under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 in collaboration with the Department’s Community and Public Health Division, manages public health risks and supports public health emergency responses.
WPHU collaborates with local governments, community health networks, and primary care providers to improve health outcomes across its catchment, working to keep people well by leading and supporting practical population health action.
Key responsibilities:
- Leading and organising Food First in the West steering committee meetings and working groups to support shared decision making.
- Build and maintain relationships with partners to foster involvement in the development and implementation of Food First in the West partnership.
- Coordinating activities with partners to align strategies and actions, avoid duplication and ensure partnership deliverables are met.
- Maintaining understanding of current implementation challenges experienced by partners and developing comprehensive solutions to address them.
- Track Food First in the West funding and deliverables to meet required milestones.
- Prepare and present appropriately detailed plans, reports, discussion papers and correspondence as required for WPHU, VicHealth, partners or external organisations.
About you:
- Proactive and adaptive public health professional with experience coordinating and implementing regional-level population health activities.
- Strong partnership skills, having successfully navigated complex and sensitive issues and thrive in collaborative settings.
- Solid understanding of contemporary health promotion practice and are able to apply systems thinking, collective impact and place-based approaches in real-world contexts.
- Confident with verbal and written forms of communication with different audiences.
About Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.
We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.
We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.
Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.
Why join us?
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
If you’re committed to improving public health, equity, and driving meaningful impact in population health, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.
If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 16 September 2025.
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Tara Boelsen-Robinson via email Tara.Boelsen-Robinson@wh.org.au or on 1800 497 111.
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.