Central and Eastern Sydney PHN (CESPHN) is a not-for-profit regionally based primary health care organisation. Our region stretches from Strathfield to Sutherland, as far east as Bondi, and also includes Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island. Our vision is better health and wellbeing of the people who live and work in our region. We work at the system level to improve the integration of care. We work at the service level to improve practice in primary health care and commission local health and wellbeing services that meet local needs.

The Population Health and Chronic Disease Program Officer is responsible for development, establishment and monitoring key program priorities to ensure optimum performance against agreed outcomes and key performance indicators. This will require a sound knowledge of how programs are commissioned and implemented based on CESPHN’s needs analysis and the priorities established by the Commonwealth Government.

The position is split 50:50 with responsibility for the CESPHN Research and Viral Hepatitis/Sexual Health portfolios. The Program Officer will be directly responsible for overseeing the CESPHN Research Framework. The Program Officer will also be directly responsible for activities in the Sexual Health, Viral Hepatitis and HIV portfolio and other initiatives in Population Health and Chronic Disease as required, and this includes all aspects of commissioning and project management from co-design, preparation of contract materials, contract management, reporting, performance monitoring, stakeholder engagement and evaluation.

This research component of this position will require the officer to actively engage with academics and primary care providers interested in research. The officer is also expected to provide input into the design of research projects and to actively contribute to the authorship of academic papers for publication

The maintenance of professional working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including consumers, general practice, allied health, private service providers and the Local Health Districts will be a key requirement of the position to ensure high quality project outcomes. The Program Officer will also be required to support health system integration and stakeholder engagement, person centred approach and quality improvement in general practice.

The Program Officer will be required to work across several different programs within Population Health and Chronic Disease. They will also be expected to work collaboratively with different CESPHN teams within CESPHN to leverage and apply our collective expertise to achieve service and organisational outcomes.

Key responsibilities

• Implement the CESPH N Research Framework
• Actively engage with academics and primary care providers interested in undertaking research and provide input into the development of research grants and proposals
• Contribute to the authorship of articles for publication.
• Undertake the development of new programs that may involve development of program specifications and procurement documentation.
• Liaise with health professionals, the community, service providers and other relevant stakeholders to provide input into program planning, development, implementation and monitoring.

To view the rest of the key responsibilities view attachment

Selection criteria – essential

• Tertiary qualifications in a health-related field and/or relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience in research design, practice, development of agency frameworks and agreements and authorship of research publications
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder engagement and consultation, ideally in the primary health sector.
• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating community-based health promotion programs in cross cultural settings.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to set priorities, work effectively and achieve outcomes in complex and challenging environments.
• Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills, and ability to maintain diplomacy in internal and external correspondence.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Microsoft Office based computing applications, e.g., Excel, Word, Database, SharePoint etc; and
• Access to a motor vehicle and possession of a current NSW drivers’ licence.

Selection criteria - desirable

• An understanding of the primary health care environment and experience in communicating with health care professionals and consumers within CESPHN boundaries.
• An understanding of sexual health, sexual health services and key sexual health stakeholders.
• Ability and willingness to facilitate educational workshops and develop quality education resources.
• Higher research degree.

About CESPHN

CESPHN’s three core organisational values, which underpin everything we do at work are:

• Learning and Growth - We are creative and open to new ideas and change.
• Integrity - We do the right things for the right reason.
• Collaboration - We create a positive environment where people want to work together by asking questions, listening to each other, adopting a positive, solutions focused approach.

CESPHN is an employer of choice and offers a unique working environment. Our Mascot office employs an activity-based style of working, meaning that staff are empowered to work flexibly and encouraged to utilise different zones of the office based on their needs. We are very supportive of employees working remotely, and encourage a ‘hybrid’ way of working, with focus days at home and collaborative days in the office. We are a largely paper-free working environment.

Working at CESPHN has a multitude of benefits. We offer salary packaging and a robust wellbeing program for all staff, including flexible work schedules, an Employee Assistance Program and regular social functions and team-building opportunities. Learning and development plans are created for all staff and professional development opportunities are prioritised by the executive leadership team.

CESPHN’s people are what make the organisation what it is and we pride ourselves on a culture of honesty, integrity and teamwork.

CESPHN is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to equity, diversity and social inclusion. Applications are encouraged from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

If you have any questions about the role contact: Jane Miller on [email protected], using the subject line: Research and Population Health and Chronic Disease Program Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.