Program Manager – Brain Health

​​​​​​

• Full time (1 FTE) opportunity
• Fixed term contract (2 years)
• Flexible working arrangements available
• Respected global research organisation
• Make an impact on global health outcomes

The George Institute (TGI) is 700+ people around the world, all focused on improving the health of millions of people worldwide. As a medical research institute affiliated with leading universities and with projects in approximately 50 countries, we are challenging the status quo in healthcare to:

• Find better treatments for the world's biggest health problems
• Transform primary health care to support better health for more people
• Harness the power of communities, governments and markets to improve health

Our innovative commercial enterprises help maximise our impact. Please visit 'what we do' to read more about how we are addressing the world's biggest health problems.

We have a new and exciting opportunity for a Program Manager to join our growing Neurological Division.

TGI, through the Neurological Division, has an established program of research focused on developing strategies to prevent and manage stroke as well as other neurological conditions that predominantly affect older adults. The progressive ageing of the world’s populations is associated with a steady increase in age-related diseases. Among these, diseases of the brain – cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders - are particularly common and major causes of disease burden, not only due to the disability among those affected but also because of the demands on caregivers both formal and informal. Advances in epidemiological and clinical research, and better knowledge of the mechanisms of brain ischemia, degeneration and repair, suggest great potential for improvements to be made in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological disability. 

This program is expanding to encompass research on the prevention of dementia, brain imaging analysis of markers of cerebral small vessel disease, and the implementation of screening and management for cognitive impairment in high-risk individuals in different areas of health care systems, both in Australia and overseas. The goal is to move towards a national/global program in Global Brain Health. 

The Program Manager will manage all aspects related to the new Global Brain Health program including but not limited to operational activities, policy development, public engagement, research projects and collaborations, social media promotion, grant applications, communications and development.

Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Upkeep of Global Brain Health documentation, such as agenda preparation, contact lists, record keeping and others as assigned and appropriate
• Work with relevant George Institute employees and external collaborators to increase the profile, engagement and activities of the Global Brain Health program through developing and implementing advocacy and other public and professional programs
• Growing the Global Brain Health program at a global level through engagement of established and new research teams, government bodies, community members, health care professionals/groups and other external collaborators
• Maintaining contact/collaboration with research teams, government bodies, community members, health care professionals/groups and other external collaborators
• Event management and assistance with coordination of Global Brain Health program general advocacy and targeted campaigns
• Manage and contribute to development and updating of key documents including position statements, reports, development plans, published research findings
• Manage and oversee social media including website, Facebook and Twitter accounts and original content
• Writing content for media, and working with internal communications to initiate media opportunities
• Ensure the Global Brain Health program website content is kept up to date in promoting research findings and policy changes, in Australia as well as overseas including low- and middle-income countries
• Manage and collaborate with the Global Brain Health management team to find funding support and prepare funding applications
• Manage budget and monitor donations received

Example Duties and Key Responsibilities for a more global position:

• Document the Global Brain Health program activities: past, present and planned
• Identify, engage with and seek input regarding plans for Global Brain Health Program, from key stakeholders:
  • The George Institute employees
  • University of New South Wales, Imperial College and Peking University, Monash University, University of Sydney, and others
  • Global and regional (Australia, China, India, UK) organisations involved in Brain Health program: research groups, governments, multilateral agencies, funders
• Create a database of global key researchers, policymakers and funders
• Make recommendations for and draft a proposal (activities and outputs, timetables, staffing and funding) for the proposed Global Brain Health program
• Create Terms of Reference for an advisory group; facilitate the identification of potential members; organise an initial meeting of the advisory group
• Facilitate the establishment of “supporters and funders” groups
• Oversee an internal call for research seed funding support
• Be responsible for some direct research activities
• Work with the communications team to support related advocacy activities
• Work with the Human Resources team to support related capacity building activities

 Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

• Qualifications in public health or a science related discipline
• Postgraduate higher degree; a PhD is desirable
• Background and expertise in health and medical research and/or health policy
• Considerable experience with project or program management, including at a global level
• Experience in organisational planning and capacity building
• Experience working in multidisciplinary teams, managing relationships with external partners and engaging senior stakeholders
• Demonstrated skills building functional networks and working relationships with external stakeholders, including consumer representatives
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and presentation skills; desirable to have a second language
• Experience with writing and/or submissions of research, guideline and/or policy reports
• Ability to produce communication and content for various audiences, including clinical
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well flexibly, i.e. both independently and with a variety of teams
• A strong commitment to quality and professionalism
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite of products

This is a great opportunity for you to work on exciting projects and make an impact on global health outcomes.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 25th April 2021. We do, however, reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.