• Hours: 30.4 hours per week (0.8 FTE permanent part time).
• Salary Range: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award, Level 3
• Location: Bentleigh East
• Probationary period: 6 month with annual performance review thereafter
• Reporting Line: This position reports to the TASCA Chair and the Executive Committee

About the Organisation

Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Australia (TASCA) is a Melbourne-based, not-for-profit organisation seeking to promote and support the health and wellbeing of Australians affected by genetically acquired haemoglobinopathies (predominantly those with Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell Anaemia). It also seeks to educate and raise awareness of these conditions amongst the wider Australian community. TASCA operations are primarily Victoria-focused, however, services extend to the rest of Australia.

Position Purpose

The Health Promotion Officer will be responsible for supporting the organisation’s integrated health promotion work through holistically promoting the care and support of Australian haemoglobinopathy patients and their families. They will also focus on raising awareness of haemoglobinopathies amongst the general public in Victoria and interstate.

In collaboration with the Chair and Executive Committee, the Health Promotion Officer will develop strategies consistent with the goals embedded in the Strategic Plan. The successful applicant will implement health promotion initiatives utilising contemporary health promotion practices within a supportive team environment and will include social marketing strategies to further expand TASCA’s presence within the community.

Acting as TASCA’s central liaison, the Health Promotion Officer will collaborate and network with key and potential stakeholders to promote the welfare of Australian haemoglobinopathy patients. Simultaneously, they will represent and communicate the purpose of TASCA to the stakeholders and the wider community.

The Health Promotion Officer will also work collaboratively with the Office Administrator in providing administrative support to the Committee of Management, as well as in the preparation of all TASCA publications, including the quarterly newsletter.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide educational awareness-raising presentations to various audiences within the community, focusing on different ethnic groups where either Thalassaemia or Sickle Cell Anaemia are of prevalence.
• Engage various sectors of the community in order to raise awareness of, and educate about, haemoglobinopathies and TASCA’s purpose.
• Lead responsibility for promoting innovative approaches to educational content development with particular emphasis on the introduction of communications strategies that foster health promotion.
• Establish and maintain good relations with patients and their families, as well as TASCA members in order to provide general support and advocacy.
• Refer patients and the general public to appropriate services.
• Partner and collaborate with key organisations local and internationally in order to provide support for haemoglobinopathy patients.
• Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organisations in the community, as well as within the allied health and government sectors in order to meet community and consumer needs and to ensure that services are delivered.
• Prepare and maintain records, reports, evaluations, projections, training material, policy and procedures.
• Lead the development and maintenance of organisational policies.
• Liaise with the Executive Committee in helping provide direction towards meeting the requirements of the Strategic Plan.
• Lead the team in fundraising activities and organisation of social events.
• Establish the process and review of grant applications.
• Liaise with national authorities on matters related to health reform, funding, representation and policy.

The successful appointee will have the following:

Qualifications and Experience

• A Bachelor's Degree in Education, Health Promotion, Science, or other related discipline.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in the Health Promotion field.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse community groups.
• Experience working with diverse age groups.
• Experience in health promotion resource development.
• Qualifications and/or experience in community development and engagement.

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated sound knowledge and/or interest in the health sector, especially in rare disease.
• Demonstrated knowledge of haemoglobinopathies, particularly Thalassaemia and Sickle Cell disease or the capacity to rapidly acquire such knowledge.
• Demonstrated understanding of genetics and medical/health terminology.
• Demonstrated ability to work well as part of a team or independently in a high-pressure environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain relationships with various external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills and adaptability to new circumstances.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitation of workshops and seminars.
• Demonstrated diligence and attention to detail in the production of quality documentation.

Desirable attributes

• Experience with website content management (WordPress), graphic design and video production projects, as well as knowledge of basic Office applications.
• Demonstrated high-level verbal, written and report writing skills.
• Working knowledge of online marketing tools (e.g. Mailchimp, social media)
• Experience developing health promotional material for diverse audiences.
• Experience facilitating support groups.
• Understanding of NFP organisations and AGM processes and procedures.
• As part of education role, an ability to engage with younger audiences in schools.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Other requirements

• Must hold a valid Australian driver’s license and access to vehicle for work purposes with work related travel reimbursed based on industry award.
• Applicants must have a visa that allows them to work in Australia.
• Working with Children Check and Police Check.
• Proof of current vaccination record.

Other Job-related information

• Overtime, overnight and out of hours work (including evenings, weekends and public holidays) may be required.
• There may be peak periods of work, during which the taking of leave may be restricted.
• The position may require domestic and international travel.
• As part of the selection process, you may be required to participate in an on-camera video interview.

Equal Opportunity, Diversity and Inclusion

TASCA is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a safe, respectful and rewarding workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification and victimisation. TASCA makes decisions based on merit with regards to employment, promotion and appointment.

TASCA believes in an inclusive workplace that values diversity because we recognise our work environment is enriched by the differences in our people’s age, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability and background.

Enquiries can be directed to Peter, TASCA Vice-Chair, [email protected], using the subject line: Health Promotion Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Applications will be reviewed as received and we may appoint someone to the position before closing date.