An appointment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Only Indigenous Australians are eligible to apply, as this position is exempt under the Special Measure Provision, Section 12 (1) of the Equal Opportunity Act 2011 (Vic).

Support impactful research within the STRONG kids, STRONG future team!

• Play a key role in communication and engagement activities within the STRONG kids, STRONG future team.
• Bring your communication skills and cultural sensitivity to support impactful research activities.
• Salary packaging, subsidised health and wellbeing services, fitness and cultural clubs, Myki discounts, and a 25% discount on graduate courses to our staff and their immediate families!                                             

Position Summary

The Aboriginal Communications & Engagement Officer is based within the STRONG kids, STRONG future team in the Department of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne.

STRONG kids, STRONG future works in partnership with community on activities focused on research, development, training, and implementation of culturally appropriate development measures for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

• Job Number 0060618
• Classification UoM 5
• Salary $79,961 – $91,844 a year (pro-rata)
• Basis of employment Fixed-term contract available for 12 months
• Working hours Part time (3 days/week; 0.6FTE)
• Superannuation Employer contribution of 17%

Background

The ASQ-STEPS is a new measurement tool that is being developed by the STRONG kids, STRONG future team. It is the first developmental outcome measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children that can:

1. assess individual children’s developmental progress; and
2. evaluate the impact of early childhood programs and intervention.

We have worked with the ASQ-STEPS Indigenous Reference Group, communities, cultural, and early child development experts to develop the ASQ-STEPS, and trialed it with practitioners, children and their caregivers to learn the best way to use it.

Now we are testing the ASQ-STEPS to make sure the information it collects is accurate and meaningful. This is called the ASQ-STEPS Validation study.

Role

Working with the STRONG kids, STRONG future team, you will play a key role in communication and engagement activities within the ASQ-STEPS research program.  This includes:

• Facilitate engagement activities, identifying and maximizing opportunities for stakeholder involvement.
• Develop materials to support project promotion, engagement, and knowledge translation.
• Lead communication and engagement with the ASQ-STEPS Indigenous Reference Group, maintaining clear records of engagement activities and follow-up actions.
• Undertake fieldwork tasks, including interviews and discussions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, presenting research activities and findings in diverse community and professional contexts.

About You

You possess strong interpersonal skills, specifically an effective ability to engage with community stakeholders, as well as advocacy skills, adaptability to changing contexts, and strong written and verbal communication abilities. You have a clear willingness to learn, engage in self-reflection, and participate in professional development, in addition to your attention to detail and organisational skills.

You will:

• Be enthusiastic and committed to improving developmental outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
• Have experience in engagement, community consultation and knowledge translation.
• Work effectively and professionally as part of a team, with the capability to complete tasks independently following appropriate learning opportunity.
• Be open to opportunities to build engagement and research skills and actively engage in mentoring processes.

To find out more about STRONG kids, STRONG future please see here: strongkidsstrongfuture.com.au.

next steps

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with the following documents:

• Resume
• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Katherine Robertson via email at [email protected], using the subject line: 0060618 Aboriginal Communications & Engagement Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs. Please do not share your application to this email address. Please ensure the position number 0060618 is included in the subject line.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed in the Position Description, attached.