The Opportunity

Do you have experience working within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations or communities, and developing training programs? Would you like to contribute to an impactful initiative and grow your experience in public health and research settings? Then this could be the role for you!

In this role you will work closely with Institute Deputy Directors and when appointed the Initiative Director to implement and evaluate the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Capacity and Capability Building 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:

• Identify opportunities to build capacity and capability in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in the health research sector and associated roles
• Support the design and implementation and delivery of workforce development programs, ensuring they are culturally sensitive and inclusive
• Support the development of position descriptions, policies and procedures for the Initiative.
• Coordinate program logistics, including scheduling, venue arrangements, participant recruitment, mentors and resource allocation.
• Facilitate and coordinate training sessions, workshops, and events, engaging qualified trainers and subject matter experts, including Burnet staff.
• Establish effective communication channels with program participants, stakeholders, and partners to foster engagement, address concerns, and provide ongoing support.
• Develop and implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess program effectiveness, impact, and outcomes
• Generate regular reports and provide recommendations for program enhancements and modifications based on evaluation findings
• Manage 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. You will have flexible working hours as well as part time working from home options.

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).

Let’s talk about you

The following criteria are essential requirements:

• Must identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations
• Strong understanding and advisory level knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural sensitivities
• A minimum of 1 year of experience in developing, coordinating and evaluating training programs
• Demonstrated budget/finance management skills
• Possess a flexible approach, with strong organisational, planning & time management skills

The following are desirable but not essential:

• Experience in working in research and/or public health
• A qualification in Indigenous Cultural Competence, Indigenous Healthcare, Public Health and Indigenous Populations, Indigenous Health Promotion or other relevant area

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 Manager (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 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.