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Research Assistant - Mental Health Advocacy

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
  • Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021 - 2025

Who Are We?

At MCRI we share a powerful vision; to re-imagine the future of child health. We are the home to many life-changing scientific discoveries. We believe that no question is too impossible to try and answer. We are renowned for our cutting edge focus on early interventions, improved diagnosis, prevention and development of potential cures. Our success is founded on a philosophy of collaboration through a multi-disciplinary approach to solving the toughest questions in child health. MCRI is a proud member of the Australian Network on Disability. We are committed to creating a positive working environment which values all backgrounds and experiences. We strive to foster an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity.

About Campus Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2025

The Melbourne Children’s Campus (Campus) and its partners (The RCH, MCRI and the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne) are committed to the Mental Health Strategy 2021 – 2025 (Mental Health Strategy). The overall objective of the Mental Health Strategy is for the Campus to deliver uniform and evidence-based, comprehensive infant, child and adolescent mental health care and prevention supported by education and research to ensure the best outcomes for children and their families. Child and family centred care will be at the heart of this. The clinically driven research will inform our workforce education and training programs which in turn will inform evidence based, consistent care as well as proactive internal and external policy and funding advocacy.

Your Opportunity:

The Mental Health Advocacy Research Assistant will be to assist the work of the Campus Mental Health Advocacy Lead role within the Mental Health Strategy to drive and develop a mental health advocacy agenda that is refined each year based on the internal and external environments. The role is responsible for developing policy briefs and other materials (e.g. social media content) targeting families, healthcare providers, and policymakers, essential in the Mental Health Strategy’s advocacy and engagement work. The position requires someone with experience in evidence syntheses, secondary data analysis and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

  • Undertaking research and secondary data analysis, synthesis of information and excellent writing with direction from the Campus Mental Health Advocacy Lead to inform the Campus mental health advocacy agenda and the key activities of the Campus Mental Health Strategy.
  • Developing policy briefs, submissions and other materials (eg social media content) targeting families, healthcare providers and policymakers targeted by the Mental Health Strategy’s advocacy and engagement work.
  • Supporting the activities of Campus wide advocacy networks and partnerships for effective government and media engagement.
  • Awareness of, and adheres to, MCRI policy on Intellectual Property/Material Transfer Agreements/Contracts/Clinical and Public Health Outcomes.

Selection Criteria

  • Degree/Honours/Masters qualification in social, medical or health sciences or a closely related field or discipline. (e.g. Allied Health, Nursing).
  • Appropriate level of expertise gained from a combination of experience, training or professional accreditation (Step 2 to 5).
  • Ability to engage, work with and integrate lived experience and peer support roles and consumers (children, young people) and their carers and families in co-design, consultation, and implementation.
  • Strong knowledge of and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights and ability to apply these in an organisational context.
  • Experience of systematic and/or rapid reviews or similar strategies ideally in the field of child mental health or related areas for the synthesis of scientific and policy literature and produce clear and accurate written reports.
  • Understanding and experience of working with health literature databases including those capturing the grey literature.
  • Understanding of a range of research methodologies and their application in empirical research.
  • Interest and experience of working with policy makers and/or practitioners across different sectors relevant to child mental health.
  • Intermediate skills and knowledge using the Microsoft Office suite including spreadsheets, database programs, and word processing, including advanced working knowledge of research database and statistics programs.
  • Self-motivated with independent judgement, initiative and influencing skills.
  • Excellent time management and organisational skills with the ability to multi-task with high attention to detail and accuracy.
  • Capacity to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment, keeping others informed of work progress or issues.

What's in it for you:

  • 2 Year Contract (Possible Extension).
  • Attractive Salary $90,890 per annum (pro rata) + Super (with Salary Packaging).
  • Part Time (15.2 hours).
  • Flexible Working Options also available including for the right candidate, remote hours.
  • Ongoing Career Development and Training.
  • Paid Parental Leave Scheme.
  • Health and Wellbeing Program and an Employee Assistance Program.

Apply Now!!

For a full list of responsibilities and the key selection criteria download the position description.

Please submit your resume and cover letter in one document. We encourage you to apply, even if you don’t 100% match the exact criteria for this position. Applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

For specific questions not answered in the PD please contact Belinda Horton [email protected] using the subject line: Research Assistant - Mental Health Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Click apply to proceed with your application. Position Reference: 30976

On occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

All applicants please be aware that in line with the Victorian Chief Health Officer’s Directions, all MCRI and VCGS workers must have received at least their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccination by no later than 29 October 2021 and be fully vaccinated by no later than 26 November 2021, unless a medical exception applies.

Applicants will be required to provide their Australian Government COVID-19 Digital Immunisation Certificate/s as part of our pre-employment requirements.

We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, all members of the LGBTQI community and people with disability.

Should you require any specific support or adjustments please talk to us and we will be happy to accommodate.

How to apply

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