Practice and College Project Officer

About us

The Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) is a peak body for the counselling and psychotherapy profession in Australia with approximately 13,000 members nationally.

PACFA exists to support its members and the community by regulating the training and practice of Psychotherapy, Counselling and Indigenous Healing Practices to the highest standards of safety, quality and professionalism.

PACFA's regulatory functions include complaints management, certification, registration and accreditation. PACFA is a member of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) and the National Alliance of Self-Regulating Health Professions (NASRHP).

About the role

The College and Practice Project Officer is responsible for supporting the growth of  PACFA's Colleges. Reporting to the Head of Practice, the role leads the implementation of projects, frameworks, policies and initiatives that strengthen membership, application assessment processes, certification pathways and stakeholder engagement across PACFA’s 6 colleges. The role works closely with College Leadership Groups, members, assessors, training providers and internal stakeholders to deliver projects, develop operational frameworks and support continuous improvement across PACFA's College and Practice functions.

Key responsibilities

• Assess applications for counselling certification against established standards recommend approvals or otherwise in a timely manner
• Develop and maintain collaborative and respectful relationships with PACFA staff, College Leadership Groups, members, and external stakeholders.
• Support the development, promotion and continuous improvement of Colleges, certification pathways and professional training initiatives.
• Coordinate the College membership journey from enquiry through application, assessment, certification, renewal and ongoing member support.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders to obtain required information, coordinate assessments, and support timely outcomes.
• Respond to membership, certification and College-related enquiries in a timely and professional manner.
• Develop, review and maintain membership, certification, assessment and operational materials, including policies, procedures, forms, website content and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and deliver strategic College and Practice projects by developing project plans, implementation schedules, action registers and documentation; monitoring milestones, deliverables, timelines, dependencies, risks and issues; and preparing reports, briefing papers, presentations and recommendations.
• Collect, analyse and report on project and membership data to support evaluation, planning, quality assurance, governance and continuous improvement.
• Contribute to relevant PACFA policy, standards and consultation submissions on behalf of the Colleges.
• Participate in collaborative projects across PACFA.

What we're looking for

1. Demonstrated administrative experience coordinating projects, programs or assessment processes, including planning, implementation, monitoring milestones, managing risks and issues, and supporting timely delivery of outcomes.
2. Strong stakeholder engagement and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work respectfully with members, applicants, assessors, committees, internal teams and external partners.
3. Demonstrated experience reviewing and assessing applications, credentials or eligibility requirements, exercising sound judgement in making recommendations, and managing associated projects, processes and stakeholder engagement activities.
4. High-level written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear meeting papers, minutes, recommendations, correspondence, reports, briefing papers and member-facing materials.
5. Demonstrated organisational and administrative skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records, coordinate meetings, track actions and support governance processes.
6. Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures and eligibility requirements to support consistent assessment outcomes.
7. Demonstrated ability to collect, analyse and report on data to support evaluation, quality assurance, continuous improvement and evidence-informed decision-making.
8. Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft 365, databases, content management systems and other digital tools to manage information, documentation, workflows and stakeholder communication.

Advantageous experience

1. Relevant qualification in Project Management, Business, Education, Counselling, Psychotherapy, Health, Social Sciences or a related discipline.
2. Experience working in an administrative or project officer role in a professional association, membership organisation, health, education, counselling, psychotherapy, social work or Aboriginal health-related setting.
3. Experience supporting committees, advisory groups, boards or leadership groups, including agenda preparation, minute taking, action tracking and governance administration.
4. Experience developing or improving policies, procedures, forms, website content, member communications or operational resources.
5. Experience using customer relationship management systems, member databases, project tracking tools or content management systems.
6. An interest in counselling, mental health care and wellbeing.

Why join PACFA?

Join our friendly and collegiate team where your work directly impacts the quality and safety of psychotherapy and counselling practices across Australia. We offer:

• A supportive and inclusive workplace,
• Competitive salary and conditions,
• Opportunities for training and development, and
• Flexibility in work arrangements.

Visit the PACFA website for more information about our organisation.

Please note that shortlisting will commence immediately with applications closing at close of business hours on the advertised closing date. Early applicants are encouraged. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

A position description is attached.