The Opportunity

Are you interested in leading an impactful initiative aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge, and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples? Would you like to join a values driven, not-for-profit organisation? Then this could be the role for you!

In this role you will lead an exciting new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Capacity and Capability Building Initiative. The Initiative Director will lead the design and delivery of the Initiative aimed at enhancing the skills, knowledge and representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals within the public health and research sectors, as well as roles associated with public health and research i.e. management, administration, marketing & communications and finance.

You will also:

• Set the Initiative’s vision and strategic direction, ensuring it aligns with Burnet’s strategy and Burnet’s Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Identify opportunities to build capacity and capability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the health research sector and roles associated with public health and research.
• Oversee the design and development of workforce development training programs for individuals who join the program.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations, and leaders to ensure Initiative alignment with community priorities and aspirations.
• Work with government agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organisations, Indigenous organisations and other key stakeholders to leverage resources, share best practices, and foster partnerships.
• Oversee the development and implementation of robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, impact, and outcomes.
• Report to Executive and Board on progress and outcomes.
• Oversee the Initiative budget, including allocation of funds, tracking expenditures, and reporting financial progress.

Refer to the attached position description for full details. This is a 0.8 – 1.0 FTE (optional) position for an initial 5-year period with possibility of extension.

This is a special measures role and only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples are eligible to apply, under the special measures provision, section 12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

Location is Flexible

Work from home or join us in the office, it’s up to you! While our head office is based in Melbourne, we are open to fully remote working (based anywhere in Australia) for this position. You will also have flexibility to manage your own working hours.

Let’s talk about you

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in a similar director, executive, or senior leadership position with current strong relationships and connections to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations, and leaders.
• An expert level knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sensitivities and capability building with demonstrated experience providing complex advice and developing, designing, and reviewing related training in these areas.
• Previous experience developing and leading an organisational wide initiative in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples which resulted in demonstrated impactful positive change.
• Extensive experience and well-developed knowledge relating to the methodology, systems and procedures relating to workforce development.
• Highly developed project management and writing skills with the ability to research and analyse information for preparing reports and presentations.

The following are desirable but not essential:

• Experience in working in research and/or public health.
• A Bachelor or Master level degree in Indigenous Studies or other similar qualification.

The Burnet experience

We want you to have a successful and meaningful career at Burnet and are committed to providing a supportive workplace environment for all our people. You will be part of a collaborative culture where progressive leadership, innovation, respect, and excellence are valued. Join a team of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do – achieving a more equitable world through better health.

We offer:

• A monthly accrued day off for full-time staff.
• 14 weeks paid parental leave.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous salary packaging.
• Opportunities for career and professional development.

Who are we?

Burnet Institute is a leading Australian, unaligned, not-for-profit, organisation passionate about social justice, equality and evidence-based research.

Burnet Institute brings together a highly diverse skill base, with more than 400 staff and students working across cutting-edge research and projects to address some of the most relevant global health issues. Institute-wide interdisciplinary health programs Disease Elimination, Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness, and Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health are at the heart of our daily decision making. Harnessing our international and local field presence, our laboratories, and our mixed development and research cultures drives a greater focus on the most relevant health issues and achieves a greater impact as a result.

Whilst our headquarters is in Melbourne, Australia, we also have offices in Papua New Guinea and Myanmar, and are actively involved in research and public health programs throughout Australia, the Asia-Pacific region and Africa. Burnet is the only unaligned organisation in Australia that has dual accreditation with both the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Bring your whole self to work

At Burnet, we foster a diverse and inclusive culture. We want our people to feel like they belong and are free to be themselves at work. We have an active Gender Equity, Diversity & Inclusion (GEDI) Council that works to promote and improve gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Institute, by developing and implementing strategies informed by both national and international best practice and staff input. Burnet holds an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award from Science in Gender Equity (SAGE).

If you have a reasonable adjustment, support, or access requirement at any stage of the recruitment process, we encourage you to let us know by emailing [email protected], using the subject line: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiative Director (Identified) enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

We are taking significant steps towards an institute-wide approach to culturally appropriate and safe research, in collaboration with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Find out more about this work here. Our work is guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan. View our progress report here.

Sounds great! How do I apply?

Click 'Apply Now' and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Brief cover letter

As part of our commitment to gender equity, we have included a question in the application process on gender. This will allow us to monitor and report on gender in relation to our recruitment process.

Burnet is a child safe organisation. The successful applicant will be required to apply for a National Police Check and/or Working with Children. Current Australian working rights are required for all applicants.