Wakai Waian Healing Thursday Island Office
This position will be located in our Wakai Waian Healing Thursday Island office, which is located at 40 Douglas Street, Thursday Island. This position’s hours of work will be 8:30am – 4:30pm, Monday – Friday.
At this site employees are provided with dedicated lunch and tea rooms, administration support staff, all office facilities, counselling and therapy rooms, Computers and Office equipment provided, internet and office supplies.
This position is co-located with other programs and Psychology and Counselling services as provided by Wakai Waian Healing for the Torres region.
Specific training will be provided to enable you to successfully complete your expected tasks within your position. Training will be provided in various methods i.e. in person and zoom.
Role Purpose
The Senior Men’s Mental Health Coordinator will lead the development, delivery, and evaluation of culturally informed men’s mental health and wellbeing programs across the Torres Strait, based on Thursday Island.
This role is reserved for a Torres Strait Islander male with strong cultural authority, deep community connections, and recognised qualifications in mental health (e.g., psychology, counselling, occupational therapy, or social work). The successful candidate will integrate both cultural healing and clinical mental health practices.
Position Expected Tasks
Successful applicants will be expected to undertake the following tasks;
- Lead the coordination and delivery of culturally safe and clinically informed mental health programs for men across the Torres Strait.
- Build strong community relationships, engaging with Elders, cultural leaders, and families to ensure programs reflect Torres Strait Islander values and priorities.
- Provide one-on-one counselling, group therapy, and cultural healing initiatives tailored to the needs of men.
- Support the integration of clinical and cultural approaches to healing, working closely with the Wakai Waian Healing team and the Community and Cultural Mentor Group (CCMG).
- Develop program frameworks, resources, and reporting to meet both community and funding requirements.
- Mentor and support our emerging Torres Strait Islander mental health workers.
- Engage in outreach activities across outer islands to strengthen men’s mental health and wellbeing.
- Collaborate with other health, social, and community services to ensure holistic care pathways.
Position Expected Skills
Essential:
- Must identify as a Torres Strait Islander male and demonstrate strong cultural authority and connection to community.
- Must have own accommodation on Thursday Island
- Qualifications in psychology, counselling, occupational therapy, social work, or an equivalent mental health field.
- Current driver’s licence.
- Current Blue Card (Working with Children Check) and Yellow Card (NDIS Worker Screening) or the ability to obtain them.
- Ability to pass a criminal history check.
- Experience working in men’s mental health, social and emotional wellbeing, or related community services.
- Demonstrated ability to integrate cultural healing and clinical mental health practices.
- Strong communication, engagement, and relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders.
- Capacity to travel to outer islands and remote communities as required.
Desirable:
- Previous experience in program coordination, team leadership, or mentoring roles.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed care and suicide prevention within Indigenous contexts.
How to Apply
Please provide the following information to the Principal Psychologist at WWH to assess your suitability:
- Your current CV or resume, including referees. You must seek approval prior to nominating a person as a referee. Referees should have a thorough knowledge of your work performance and conduct, and it is preferable to include your current/immediate past supervisor. By providing the names and contact details of your referee/s you consent for these people to be contacted by the selection panel. If you do not wish for a referee to be contacted, please indicate this on your CV or resume.
- Submit your application online to workforcelead@wakai-waian.com.au by the closing date.
- Any questions or requests for additional information during the application process can be sent to workforcelead@wakai-waian.com.au.
Eligible submissions will be offered an opportunity to participate in a face to face i