Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer
SA Health
Department for Health and Wellbeing
CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK
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We acknowledge and respect Aboriginal peoples as the state's first peoples and nations, and recognise Aboriginal peoples as Traditional Owners and occupants of land and waters in South Australia.
Executive Summary
- Visionary and Inspirational Nurse and Midwifery Leader
- Provide strategic leadership for major reform
- Lead the development of evidence based and best practice nursing and midwifery practice
THE OPPORTUNITY
SA Health is now seeking a Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) to provide expert professional and strategic advice across the system on all matters relating to nursing and midwifery. SA Health includes the Department for Health and Wellbeing, ten Local Health Networks, the Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health, Preventive Health, Statewide Clinical Support Services and the SA Ambulance Service.
The CNMO will lead the strategic direction of the nursing and midwifery professions through engagement with the public and private sector of health and education providers to build and maintain a safe and effective nursing and midwifery workforce that is aligned with the health service delivery requirements of South Australia. Reporting to the Deputy Chief Executive, Clinical System Support and Improvement, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to nursing and midwifery practice in the State.
THE ROLE
The CNMO is responsible for coordinating policy development in collaboration with key stakeholders and leads nursing & midwifery quality initiatives to support the achievement of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards in SA Health Services. The CNMO works collaboratively to progress the national and state reform agenda in relation to nursing and midwifery matters and contributes nationally and internationally to support the SA Health agenda with respect to building international capacity.
The CNMO develops strong partnerships with the national and state Chief Nurses and Midwives and other Nursing and Midwifery Leaders to ensure South Australia is contemporary with national and international evidence based and best practice trends.
THE CANDIDATE
If you believe you have the passion, commitment and successful track record to:
- motivate and inspire nurses and midwives to achieve objectives, lead change and influence others to embrace change
- provide high level expert professional and strategic advice on all matters relating to nursing and midwifery
- provide strategic leadership for major reform
- lead the development of nursing and midwifery policy; and
- have proven senior management experience in a range of nursing and midwifery settings
then this may be the role for you.
For a confidential discussion, please get in touch with:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
SA Health
SA Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of all South Australians by providing leadership in health reform, public health services, health and medical research, policy development and planning, with an increased focus on well being, illness prevention, early intervention and quality care.
SA Health is the brand name for the health portfolio of services and agencies responsible to our Minister, the Minister for Health and Wellbeing.
The portfolio consists of the:
- Department for Health and Wellbeing
- SA Ambulance Service
- Commission on Excellence and Innovation in Health
- Preventive Health SA
- Barossa Hills Fleurieu Local Health Network
- Central Adelaide Local Health Network
- Eyre and Far North Local Health Network
- Flinders and Upper North Local Health Network
- Limestone Coast Local Health Network
- Northern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Riverland Mallee Coorong Local Health Network
- Southern Adelaide Local Health Network
- Women’s and Children’s Health Network
- Yorke and Northern Local Health Network
Department for Health and Wellbeing
The Department for Health and Wellbeing assists the Minister for Health and Wellbeing, to set the policy framework and strategic directions for SA Health.
The department supports the delivery of public health services, formulates health policy, facilitates public and consumer consultation on health issues, and monitors the performance of South Australia’s health system by providing timely advice, research and administrative support.
Our vision
South Australians experience the best health in Australia.
We can achieve this vision by individuals, families, our staff, other health providers and government or non-government agencies working together.
To achieve this we will work to:
- prevent chronic disease, communicable disease and injury, and prevent exacerbation of established chronic disease
- partner with individuals, families and communities to enhance their health and wellbeing
- support individuals and their families through recovery
- create healthier neighbourhoods and communities
- respond when needed to manage acute conditions and injuries
- assist individuals and families to adapt to changes in their health and wellbeing over time, including at end of life
- protect against public and environmental health risks and adapt to climate change.
Our mission
Our mission at SA Health is to lead and deliver a comprehensive and sustainable health system that aims to ensure healthier, longer and better lives for all South Australians.
We will achieve our objectives by:
- strengthening primary health care
- enhancing hospital care
- reforming mental health care
- improving the health of Aboriginal people
- committing to a health system that produces positive health outcomes by focusing on health promotion, illness prevention and early intervention.
We will work with other government agencies and the community to address the environmental, socioeconomic, biological and behavioural determinants of health, and to achieve equitable health outcomes for all South Australians.
Our values
The values of SA Health are used to indicate the type of conduct required by our employees and the conduct that our customers can expect from our health service:
- We are committed to the values of integrity, respect and accountability.
- We value care, excellence, innovation, creativity, leadership and equity in health care provision and health outcomes.
- We demonstrate our values in our interactions with others in SA Health, the community, and those for whom we care.
Nursing and Midwifery Office
The Nursing and Midwifery Office (NMO) sets the strategic direction of the nursing and midwifery professions in South Australia.
Led by the Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, the NMO provides advice on professional nursing and midwifery policy issues, state-wide nursing and midwifery initiatives, building the clinical workforce and strengthening person-centred care across South Australia.
The NMO provides professional nursing and midwifery leadership and advice on:
- safety and quality standards
- legislation, regulation and policy
- person-centred practice and care attraction, recruitment and retention
- workforce planning and reform
- education, training and professional development
- informatics
- research
The NMO works in partnership and collaboration with nurses and midwives across all sectors, education providers and other key stakeholders.
Strategic Directions 2023-2026
The SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Directions 2023 – 2026 set the strategic priorities for nursing and midwifery in South Australia. Developed in consultation with South Australian nurses and midwives, as well as the professional, industrial and higher education sector, the Strategic Directions seek to recognise the leadership, innovation, influence and impact of the nursing and midwifery workforce.
Role Specification
The Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer (CNMO) will report to the Deputy Chief Executive CSSI and is responsible for the provision of expert professional and strategic advice to the Minister and Chief Executive on all matters relating to nursing and midwifery, including regulation, professional, policy, practice, safety and quality and workforce issues. The CNMO leads the strategic direction of the nursing and midwifery professions through engagement with the public and private sector of health and education providers to build and maintain a safe and effective nursing and midwifery workforce that is aligned with the health service delivery requirements of South Australia. The role contributes nationally and internationally to support the SA Health agenda with respect to building international capacity.
The CNMO is responsible for coordinating policy development in collaboration with key stakeholders within SA including SA Health and SA Health Local Health Networks, nursing & midwifery professional associations, unions, regulatory agencies, cross agency and educational bodies.
The CNMO leads nursing & midwifery quality initiatives to support the achievement of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards in SA Health Services. The CNMO works collaboratively to progress the national and state reform agenda in relation to nursing and midwifery matters.
The CNMO develops strong partnerships with the national and state Chief Nurses and Midwives and other Nursing and Midwifery Leaders to ensure South Australia is contemporary with national and international evidence based and best practice trends.
The role will participate as an integral and collaborative member of the Deputy Chief Executive’s Division including significantly contributing to leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the health portfolio.
The role will have close working relationships with other SA Health executives and will effectively support the Department’s contribution to successfully delivering the SA Health Strategic Plan.
The outcomes required of the role include:
- Significant contribution to the development of the Department’s vision, values and strategic directions, consistent with Government policy, through setting and evaluating shared and appropriate nursing and midwifery strategic direction, objectives and plans and ensuring appreciation of the resources required to facilitate implementation, with outcomes clearly focused on patient benefit.
- Developing nursing and midwifery capacity and capabilities to deliver positive patient outcomes and will lead the establishment of governance structures for nursing and midwifery across SA Health.
- Providing high level system-wide strategic input and nursing and midwifery advice relating to regulation, clinical, quality and safety, education, research, and workforce matters.
- Directing, overseeing and ensuring development of appropriate plans for the delivery of complex and critical clinical related projects, including advice and support relating to the adoption and application of appropriate communication strategies with key stakeholders.
- Ensuring effective policy development and implementation to address professional nursing and midwifery issues associated with health service planning and improvement, technology and research.
- Identifying, reviewing, and evaluating the strategic purpose and direction of specific projects and initiatives to ensure their feasibility and consistency with Department and State Government and Commonwealth Government objectives.
- Leading, directing and undertaking high priority projects involving direct negotiations and collaboration with senior executives in the Department, Local Health Networks, other Government agencies, academic institutions, professional and industrial organisations.
- Promoting the implementation of appropriate laws regulating nursing and midwifery education, practice settings and practising professionals.
- Establishing national nursing and midwifery standards for quality and patient safety, overseeing nursing and midwifery service delivery processes, and promoting safe, effective, and economically sustainable models of care.
- Enhancing nursing and midwifery productivity, capacity and capability through learning and development opportunities and the utilisation of information systems and technologies to improve efficiency and quality of services.
- Coordinating emergency preparedness and crisis response as required.
View the full scope of these in the Position Description.
The immediate challenges for the role include, but are not limited to:
- Leading a sound change management culture within the Nursing and Midwifery professions based in Local Health Networks and in the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
- Maintaining collaborative partnerships with relevant professional and industrial bodies and industry stakeholders to enable the effective management of matters relating to nursing and midwifery workforce and education and training.
- The CNMO will have close working relationships with the Chief Executive’s Office, Minister’s Office, and key executives within the Department and across the Local Health Networks (LHNs), and with other government agencies, relevant industrial groups, regulatory agencies, and the educational bodies.
- The CNMO will provide leadership and support to LHN nursing and midwifery leads and will represent the Department in relevant local, state, and national committees, forums and working parties, and where relevant, exercise delegated authority in committing the Department to action.
- Proven strong leadership ability to motivate and inspire nurses and midwives to achieve objectives, lead change and influence others in responding to change, and manage and evaluate performance against agreed objectives.
- Demonstrated highly developed interpersonal, communication skills to effectively liaise and negotiate at senior levels of government, foster credibility, trust, and cooperation and provide nursing and midwifery expert advice on a range of sensitive and complex issues.
- Demonstrated extensive and successful experience in leading the development of nursing and midwifery policy including influencing consultative planning processes involving nursing and midwifery staff, professional associations, unions, regulatory agencies, and educational bodies.
- Demonstrated senior level experience in providing strategic leadership for major reform including implementing change within nursing and midwifery settings, identifying, and analysing complex issues and enabling effective evaluation and outcomes-based results.
- Extensive experience in leading nursing and midwifery safety and quality initiatives to support the achievement of National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards in SA Health Services.
- Proven senior management experience in a range of nursing and midwifery settings at an executive level and providing leadership to a complex multi-disciplinary organisation in a climate of continuing change and reform
- Proven significant experience in leading or undertaking major nursing and midwifery service reviews and analyses of complex, contentious, and sensitive issues, including the preparation of reports with significant recommendations.
- Comprehensive knowledge of emerging directions within health services and the political and socio-economic sensitivities that impact on the planning, development, funding, delivery, and management of health services.
- Knowledge and understanding of the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law Act 2009, Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia) Act 2010, and Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (South Australia).
- Comprehensive knowledge in the disciplines of Nursing and Midwifery as it relates to regulation, education, workforce, and research issues.
- Demonstrated comprehensive understanding of the health sector, and government structures, particularly in relation to planning and decision-making processes at the State, local and Commonwealth level.
SAES SELECTION CRITERIA: CORE COMPETENCIES
The South Australian Executive Service (SAES) exists to provide the public sector with high-performing leaders who have a shared sense of purpose and direction and who together will actively engage the public sector in the pursuit of the objects of the Public Sector Act 2009 and the public sector principles.
Click links to see more about the SAES Competency Framework and the SAES Charter.
Mandatory
- Registered or eligible for registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia and holds a current practicing certificate and relevant tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent experience.
Please speak with the HG Principal Consultant about remuneration for this role
Service Location: Adelaide, South Australia
Classification: SAES 1 Level
Division: Clinical System Support and Improvement (CSSI)
Special Conditions / General Requirements:
- A contract term up to three years.
- Participation in the SA Public Sector biannual performance review process.
- Maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate management practices and have an understanding of, experience in, and ability to manage legislative requirements of the Work Health and Safety Act 2012.
- Advocate Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Diversity in the Workplace in accordance with EEO legislation
- Promote and maintain a commitment to inclusive workplace in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other under-represented groups.
- To value and respect the needs and contributions of SA Health Aboriginal staff and clients and commit to the development of Aboriginal cultural competence across all SA Health practice and service delivery.
- Support the Department’s participation in the White Ribbon, Disability and Reconciliation Agendas.
- Work within the legislative requirements of the Public Sector Act 2009 and the Work Health & Safety Act 2012 (SA), Return to Work Act 2014 (SA), Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2012 (SA) and other relevant Acts and Regulations.
- Achieve performance targets that are negotiated and mutually agreed with by the Deputy Chief Executive.
- Maintain a strong commitment to The Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector, and the SA Health Values of Integrity, Respect and Accountability.
Department for Health and Wellbeing website
Nursing and Midwifery Office website
South Australian Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2020-2025
State Public Health Plan 2019 - 2024
SA Health Nursing and Midwifery Strategic Directions 2023 – 2026
Nursing and Midwifery Capability Development Framework
Department for Health and Wellbeing organisational chart
The closing date for applications is Sunday, 11 January 2026
The reference number to include in your application is H25_5330
Note: Please use the HardyGroup online platform to submit your application. It will not be accepted via email.
If you require assistance in submitting your application online, please get in touch with Executive Search Coordinator, Bradie Hammat: M: +61 (0)417 882 900 / E: bhammat@hardygroupintl.com
Your application must include:
- 1.Cover letter addressed to the Principal Consultant;
- 2.A written response addressing the Key Abilities, Experience and Knowledge; and
- 3.An up to date copy of your Curriculum Vitae.
It Is standard practice for HardyGroup to acknowledge receipt of your application no later than the next business day. We request that if you do not receive the acknowledgement, you contact the search coordinator listed above as soon as possible after the 24-hour business period and arrange to resend your application if necessary.
For a confidential discussion, please contact:
Liz Hlipala
HardyGroup Principal Consultant
M. +61 (0)401 122 301
E. lhlipala@hardygroupintl.com
LIVING AND WORKING IN ADELAIDE
Adelaide enjoys a reputation for remarkable liveability thanks to its pleasant climate, manageable size and relaxed South Australian pace.
With warm summers, mild winters and generally clear skies, the city balances sophisticated urban living with a laid-back lifestyle, all framed by easy access to coastal and wine-region escapes.
The city has a vibrant cultural identity, with festivals, local music and a strong dining scene thriving across neighbourhood precincts. Known as the Festival State, South Australia hosts a packed calendar of cultural and culinary celebrations, including the world's second-largest Fringe Festival, Adelaide Festival, and Tasting Australia. The city also holds international and national sporting events, with the iconic Adelaide Oval as a centrepiece for sport and entertainment.
Adelaide Oval roof climbers take on the challenge during an Ashes cricket test (Credit)
Leafy suburbs offer both charm and community spirit, and many people appreciate the short commuting distances, affordable housing, and the distinctive character of areas such as North Adelaide, Norwood, Unley and the beachside suburbs of Glenelg and Henley Beach.
Golden hour at Glenelg Beach (Credit)
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens are a green serene paradise in the middle of the city (Credit)
Nature is never far away. Just 20 minutes from the city centre are pristine beaches, hills made for hiking, and the surrounding park lands that wrap around the CBD. Beyond Adelaide, regional South Australia offers dramatic landscapes, national parks, and abundant wildlife - from rugged coastlines to outback ranges and hidden caves.
Education is well catered for across metropolitan Adelaide, with a mix of high-quality public and private schools and several world-class tertiary institutions including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia and Flinders University.
A barrel at Yalumba Wines, Angaston (Credit)
Food and wine are central to life in Adelaide, with a proud reputation as one of the Great Wine Capitals of the World. The city is home to top chefs, boutique producers, and the iconic Adelaide Central Market - one of the largest undercover fresh produce markets in the southern hemisphere.
With its blend of social vibrancy, natural beauty, culinary excellence, education and liveability, Adelaide offers a welcoming and well-balanced setting in which to live, learn and thrive.
ABOUT US
HardyGroup’s (HG) mission is simple
Find and Grow Great Leaders - and we have been doing exactly that for more than 30 years in public and private health, primary, community and aged care as well as the broader public service.
Our synergistic business model of Executive Search and Recruitment integrated with Executive Leadership and Learning is our unique point of difference.
It ensures our clients can count on us for the lifecycle of their organisations leadership journey and why we are regarded as the leading trans-Tasman partner agency by clients.
When engaging HG you can be confident in a deeply personalised experience and service as nothing matters more to us than relationships and results.