The Melbourne Children’s Campus* is developing and implementing a transformational LGBTIQA+ inclusion and advocacy Strategy. This initiative aims to cultivate a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for LGBTIQA+ staff, students, patients, and research participants on our campus.

We are excited to announce a unique opportunity: the Melbourne Children’s LGBTIQA+ Coordinator. We seek an experienced and passionate individual from the LGBTIQA+ communities to take on this pivotal role. Your contributions will be instrumental in the success of our LGBTIQA+ Campus Strategy.

* Melbourne Children’s brings together the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, The Royal Children’s Hospital, The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

LGBTIQA+ Campus Strategy

In 2022 the Melbourne Children’s LGBTIQA+ Collective was established. Comprising over 100 dedicated LGBTIQA+ staff, students, and allies, the Collective has emerged as a voluntary force committed to confronting discrimination and dismantling stigma. Our mission is to cultivate an environment of safety and inclusivity for LGBTIQA+ staff, students, patients and research participants on Campus. In 2023, the Collective was funded by the Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation to co-develop and implement a formal, ambitious LGBTIQA+ inclusion and advocacy Strategy for the Campus. The Strategy’s essence will lie in its direct response to the needs and priorities of LGBTIQA+ staff, students, patients and research participants on Campus.

We want to give all children the opportunity to live a healthy and fulfilled life and contribute to a world where all kids thrive. The LGBTIQA+ Campus Strategy actively seeks to strengthen our response to the known, specific challenges that LGBTIQA+ children, young people and families face in receiving quality clinical care, and proactively include their experiences and knowledge in research, education and training.

What’s in it for you?

• Meaningful Impact: You'll have the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of LGBTIQA+ staff, students, patients, and research participants by creating a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment.
• Advocacy and Empowerment: As the coordinator, you'll be at the forefront of advocating for the rights and needs of LGBTIQA+ individuals within the campus community, empowering them to have a voice and partner in decision-making processes.
• Professional Development: This role provides avenues for personal and professional growth through the implementation of a transformational inclusion and advocacy strategy. You'll develop skills in project management, leadership, and community engagement.
• Contribution to Research and Education: By incorporating the experiences and knowledge of LGBTIQA+ individuals into research, education, and training programs, you'll contribute to advancing the understanding of LGBTIQA+ health issues and improving clinical care practices.
• Alignment with Values: If you identify as part of the LGBTIQA+ community, this role offers the opportunity to work in an environment that aligns with your personal values and experiences, allowing you to bring authenticity and empathy to your work.

Your responsibilities include:

• Work with the LGBTIQA+ Collective in the development and implementation of the LGBTIQA+ inclusion and advocacy Strategy, ensuring a safe and respectful environment for LGBTIQA+ staff, students, patients, and research participants.
• Actively engage with diverse stakeholders, acknowledging and valuing the unique perspectives within the LGBTIQA+ community
• Develop, facilitate, support and/or deliver LGBTIQA+ inclusive education and training to staff
• Contribute to policy development and alignment; and data collection, analysis and reporting

What we need from you:

• Identify as a member of the sexuality, sex and/or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) communities.
• A strong track record of leadership in fostering an inclusive and accepting environment for LGBTIQA+ communities.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to develop and implement project plans, ensuring clarity in objectives, activities, timing, milestones, and deliverables.
• Experience in developing and implementing inclusive organisational programs, with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion – preferably in health and/or research.

For more information regarding responsibilities and requirements please refer to the to the position description. Any specific questions related to this position should be directed to Ken Knight at [email protected] using the subject line: LGBTIQA+ Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Special Measures

We are invoking Special Measures to specify that the LGBTIQA+ Coordinator role is filled by a member of the sexuality, sex and/or gender diverse (LGBTIQA+) communities. The Equal Opportunity Act 2010 allows and encourages organisations to treat people differently in specific situations, if those organisations are taking action to address inequality for disadvantaged groups. Equal opportunity is about ensuring everyone has a fair go. Sometimes, to overcome discrimination, different approaches are required for different groups – equality does not necessarily mean treating everyone the same way. The law recognises that disadvantaged groups may need special assistance to ensure they receive the same opportunities as everyone else.

We invoke special measures in order to:

1. Address Inequality: By specifying that the LGBTIQA+ Coordinator role be filled by a member of the LGBTIQA+ communities, we are taking proactive steps to address known discrimination and ensure that LGBTIQA+ individuals have equal opportunities across the Campus.
2. Leverage lived experience and authentic representation: We know that individuals with lived experience are uniquely positioned to understand and address the needs of their communities. By prioritising the recruitment of an LGBTIQA+ Coordinator who identifies as a member of the LGBTIQA+ communities, we effectively leverage lived experience to ensure safe, authentic representation and culturally competent advocacy within our Campus and community.
3. Enhance safety and engagement: We know that employees who share lived experiences with the communities they serve demonstrate higher levels of empathy and engagement. A coordinator who can relate to the specific experiences of the LGBTIQA+ community will bring necessary safety and a unique perspective, empathy and effectiveness to the role. This will enable them to foster positive impact, compassion, and an intersectional approach while facilitating the inclusion and advocacy strategy on Campus.

By invoking special measures for the LGBTIQA+ Coordinator role, we reaffirm our commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion across the Campus. By prioritising the recruitment of an LGBTIQA+ Coordinator with lived experience, we strive to address inequality and foster safety through authentic representation, empathy and culturally competent advocacy.

Melbourne Children’s Campus

The vision for the Melbourne Children’s Campus (the Campus) is to be an international academic centre of excellence. Since 2008, The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, the University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics and The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation have worked in partnership to enhance collaboration and cooperation and provide strategic leadership and advocacy.

Melbourne Children’s is also the physical co-location of the four Campus partners within a single, purpose-built, and multi award winning Campus in the city of Melbourne. Melbourne Children’s is a fully integrated paediatric teaching hospital and research institute which is unique in Australia and acclaimed internationally.

The purpose of Melbourne Children’s is to collaborate, as world leaders, in advancing child and adolescent health through prevention, early intervention and health promotion, together with the highest quality clinical care, outstanding research and comprehensive education and training.

Join us!

If you feel this role is right for you, please apply with a copy of your resume, a cover letter, and your responses addressing the 'qualifications and experience' listed in the position description.

Please view the position description here.

For any questions related to the recruitment process, feel free to reach out to our Recruitment team at [email protected] using the subject line: LGBTIQA+ Coordinator enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Ensure that you include the position number and job title in the subject line. Please refrain from sharing your application to this email address.
Please note, we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the closing date once a sufficient number of applications have been received.