North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) is committed to making healthcare more accessible and culturally relevant. It works with community members to support social justice principles which afford all people the right to dignity, respect, and the highest quality of care. With the recent addition of Victoria’s first Medically Supervised Injecting Room, NRCH is dedicated to combating stigma and discrimination experienced by people who use drugs, and improving their quality of life.

NRCH provides a range of medical, allied health, dental and community services to clients from all backgrounds. We also provide specialist health services in other parts of Victoria, and work with health, government and community services around the country.

The Community Engagement Lead is part of the COVID Program team at NRCH. The purpose of this role is to lead a team of Community Health and Support Officers to deliver key COVID-19 health messages to our local community; and facilitate their access to appropriate health and support services. This role will lead co-design activities within the community to support development of communication strategies and messaging that are culturally safe and appropriate; accessible; and meets the identified needs of local communities within the designated catchment area for this project. This role will support the delivery of health promotion activities and lead strategies to engage identified target populations.

The Community Engagement Lead will work as part of a multidisciplinary team and will be an experienced professional with knowledge and experience in community and consumer engagement contemporary practice. They will work collaboratively with staff in the COVID program, NRCH programs and services and key stakeholders to help ensure successful delivery of the COVID program.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead a team of Community Health and Support Leads to effectively deliver the community engagement activities required as part of the NRCH COVID Program.
• Supervise and develop Community Health and Support Workers, including ensuring compliance with minimum training and education requirements, NRCH code of conduct and relevant NRCH policies and procedures.
• Facilitate broad-ranging community engagement in the development and delivery of key health messaging associated with the NRCH COVID-19 Program.
• Build and maintain relationships with key external partners to ensure the successful delivery of identified community engagement activities.
• Represent NRCH on key working groups and committees focussed on developing and delivering an effective place based response to COVID-19. Ascertain needs, and understand key diverse groups and community leaders.
• Recruit, train, supervise and support Community Health and Support Officers to successfully support the NRCH COVID- 19 Program, and to actively participate in local reference groups.
• Develop strong and trusted relationships with diverse communities within the designated catchment that provide broad representation.
• In partnership with the NRCH Health Promotion Coordinator and Communications Team, organise and deliver health promotion activities to engage the community and identified targeted communities.

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Tertiary Qualification (Diploma level or above) in Health Promotion, Public Health, Community Development, Social/Behavioural Science, Social Work or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 2 years' experience in a role with skills and approaches that are relevant to that of Community and/or Consumer Engagement.
• Minimum of 2 years' in supervising others.
• Commitment to improving the health of vulnerable and marginalised communities.

Essential Attributes

• Highly developed communication skills that build trusted relationships with a diverse population.
• Experience of working with diverse communities, to successfully develop and implement community engagement and health promotion activities.
• Experience managing staff and performance monitoring that fosters growth and development.
• The ability to foster collaboration with the team and inspire others through proactive leadership.
• High level of capability to develop and maintain stakeholder relationships.
• Ability to work under moderate stress.
• Make decisions and judgments based on a sound knowledge.

A position description is attached.

The preferred candidate will be required to undergo a Police Check prior to any offer of employment being made.

Please note, interviews may commence prior to the closing date and only successful candidates will be notified.

A position description is attached.