Who Are We?

Victorian Clinical Genetics Services (VCGS) is a not-for-profit subsidiary of the Murdoch Children's Research Institute www.mcri.edu.au and provides a wholly integrated genetic testing, diagnostic and counselling service for health professionals, patients and their families across Victoria, Australia and globally. We are committed to ensuring a positive working environment that values all backgrounds and experiences. We cultivate an inclusive culture that is underpinned by equal opportunity for all and a culture based on respect, consideration and dignity. We are also committed to developing our people and fostering an environment where learning and development is central to our staff reaching their full potential. Victorian Clinical Genetics Services is a proud supporter of the GSNV.

About Genetic Support Network Victoria

The GSNV was set up in 1997 as part of a broader understanding of genetic health and the need to bring clinical and support services together. The role of the GSNV is to facilitate a fully supportive, ongoing and enduring relationship with families and individuals who are having investigations into a genetic diagnosis, or who have had a genetic diagnosis. At the pre-conception, prenatal, neonatal, paediatric, adolescent and adult stages, patients/clients may have concerns and questions they wish to ask outside of the regular clinical genetics service. The GSNV is uniquely positioned to draw together various types of information, service providers and support group contacts to provide timely responses to requests for further support.

Your Opportunity

The GSNV Project and Policy Assistant will support the vision and mission of the GSNV to ensure people living with genetic, undiagnosed and rare conditions flourish and live their best lives. This vision is what we seek to achieve through our mission: to have support included as an integral part of the health and wellbeing care continuum; to drive fairness and equity of access across testing, care pathways, treatments, research, clinical trial and support and to be a voice and force for positive change for our community. This role will engage with our community to explore and influence policy impacting equity of access, with a particular focus on vulnerable communities such as indigenous, people with disabilities, rural and remote, CALD communities, etc. This role will also review and engage to utilise GSNV data and research opportunities and how they can benefit our community. The position will be supported by the development of a clear work plan on an annual basis outlining all activities and timing for the year. This exciting role will be fundamental to the success of the GSNV and our ability to function as an efficient, credible, responsive, and effective peak body.

Your responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Liaising with the genetic, undiagnosed and rare disease community to identify gaps in policy and actions.
• Working with GSNV projects and people to ensure the voice of vulnerable communities influences our work and advocacy.
• Developing advocacy positions through the identification of gaps and priorities.
• Exploring opportunities to utilise GSNV collected data.
• Identifying evidence gaps and work with the GSNV team to develop strategies.
• Leading projects that include the support of GSNV volunteers as identified as appropriate.
• Inputting into GSNV communications and reporting to our community and stakeholders.
• Engaging in GSNV planning and prioritisation.
• Actively participating in GSNV meetings and events.
• Ensuring the genetic, undiagnosed and rare disease community is listened to, has a voice and has a collaborative community pathway to engage and influence.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• Relevant experience in a not-for-profit organisation within the healthcare, genetic, undiagnosed, or rare disease sector.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to listen and learn and establish trust among various stakeholders.
• Collaboration and a solutions approach: co-operates and works well with others in the pursuit of team goals, collaborates and shares information, working well with the different working styles of others.
• Demonstrated initiative and self-motivation with ability to work autonomously.
• Ability to review data and establish research priorities
• Ability to plan and prioritise work to ensure outcomes are achieved, supports other people, and uses time efficiently.
• Develops realistic action plans and implements systems and procedures to guide, deliver and track progress.
• Recognises barriers and finds effective ways to deal with them.
• Comfort with ability to run small group seminars and workshops from time to time.
• Ability to prioritise workload in response to time frames and deadlines, including identify and resolving problems in a timely manner.
• Excellent understanding of Microsoft Office suite and ability to use for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation applications.

Desirable:

• A Masters degree in public health, genetic counselling or genetic health.
• Digital Media skills.

What’s in it for you

• 12 Month Contract (Possible Extension).
• Attractive Salary $74,382 per annum (pro rata if Part Time) + Super (with Salary Packaging).
• Part Time (15.2 hours per week).
• Flexible Working Options Available.
• Ongoing Career Development and Training.
• Paid Parental Leave Scheme.
• Health and Wellbeing Program and an Employee Assistance Program.

Apply Now!

Download the position description.Any specific questions not answered in the position description should be directed to Monica Ferrie via [email protected] using the subject line: Project & Policy Assistant enquiry via EthicalJobs.

If you believe you have what we're after please click 'Apply Now' to proceed with your application. In one document please place your:

• Cover Letter
• Response to Key Selection Criteria
• Resume

If you experience technical difficulties when submitting your application, please contact [email protected].

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.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Check and a Working with Children check is compulsory.

Please note, applications will only be considered when submitted via the MCRI website.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

A position description is attached.