Program / Location Background

The Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (CHS) was established in 2017 to implement the Australian Government’s Health Security Initiative for the Indo-Pacific Region. The Initiative, which is funded through Australia’s overseas aid program, aims to inform evidence-based planning, help prevent avoidable epidemics, strengthen early detection capacity, and support rapid, effective national and international outbreak responses. It does this by accelerating research on new drugs and diagnostics, expanding partnerships at the national, regional and global level to strengthen human and animal health systems, and deepening people-to-people linkages that build national and regional health security capacity. Throughout 2020, the CHS played a key role in shaping Australia’s response to the regional impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Commencing in 2021, Australia is assisting 18 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to access safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines through the Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative.

The Initiative has three components:

• Vaccine Access Program to help partner countries increase the coverage of their COVID-19 vaccination programs
• Health Security Partnerships to provide partner countries with access to relevant Australian, regional and global expertise
• Support for the establishment of an ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

Cardno International Development is supporting the implementation of several activities delivered as part of the initiative across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Objectives of role

The objective of this role is to support the implementation of the Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative through the provision of with a primary focus on vaccine delivery, logistics support and operations support. The officer will support co-ordination across teams and is expected to contribute to and support communication and collaboration across program areas on vaccine delivery and logistics.

The Officer will primarily work with CHS’s Operations Support Section who provide support implementation of VAHSI across a number of areas. The Officer will be expected to work closely with other teams within CHS and DFAT and may additionally engage with external contractors and service providers.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Work collaboratively across teams in DFAT (including DFAT Posts) and with external service providers to support and monitor medical logistics arrangements.
• Support development of standardised processes and systems for operations and decision making as they relate to vaccine delivery and logistics
• Effectively assess and manage risks associated with logistics and communicate and escalate risks as needed in a timely manner.
• Support activity reporting and data collection, inputting into tracking documents and other monitoring products as required
• Work closely with CHS’s finance manager and Operations Support Section Director to input into budget and approval processes associated with logistics
• Respond to ad hoc requests for information in a timely manner
• Engage in the established management and governance for VAHSI Operations, including supporting and contributing to regular Operations Support meetings.
• Engage in and provide support across the portfolio of the Operations Support team including knowledge management, monitoring and evaluation, and risk and safeguards.
• Other duties and tasks as directed by the Director, Operations Support Section, noting responsibilities may shift in response to changing circumstances as the Initiative proceeds.

Selection Criteria – Essential

• At least five years’ experience in project management, ideally in an international development or humanitarian context.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or relevant field experience in international development/humanitarian contexts, project management and/or medical logistics.
• Adaptable with the ability to support diverse needs across teams to achieve high performance, deliver quality results and meet deadlines.
• Excellent English report writing and verbal communication skills, and the ability to clearly communicate technical information to a wide range of stakeholders.
• Emotional intelligence and strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively and collaboratively with individuals at all levels of an organisation in a participatory way.
• Well-organised with close attention to detail
• Ability to work autonomously within a fast-paced environment and respond to changing circumstances and learnings as the initiative proceeds,
• Demonstrated ability to liaise with multiple, diverse stakeholders and maintain strong relationships.
• Willingness to take on a variety of tasks and work across various activities of the Centre/Initiative
• Have, or have the ability to obtain a security clearance (baseline or NV1)

To learn more about this exciting role, please go to: https://bit.ly/3iV6cbR

For Applications please submit:

1. A maximum two-page cover letter outlining your suitability for the role.
2. Up to date CV.
3. Details of three professional referees.

How to Apply?

We welcome your interest in this position, please click Apply Now to apply and submit your application.

For any queries regarding this positions please send an email to [email protected], using the subject line: Operations Support Officer - Indo Pacific Centre for Health Security enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We thank all applicants however due to anticipated volumes of applications only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

About Cardno

Cardno is a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs. Cardno is committed to child protection in all fields. Cardno is an equal opportunity employer.

Cardno is committed to Safety and the Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH), Child Protection and bribery prevention. We want to engage with the right people to deliver our client programs. As part of our approach you will be subjected to formal background screening, criminal record checks, employment verification, and periodic compliance checks.

All Cardno staff receive safety, compliance and safeguards training and are responsible for contributing to a safer working culture.