Project Manager, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program

• Identified Position
• Full Time (1 FTE) opportunity
• 24-month, fixed term contract
• Hybrid working arrangements available, with a combination of office and virtual work
• 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.

The George Institute’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program cuts across content areas and is conducted within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing, with a focus on social determinants of health, health systems and healthcare delivery. We maintain an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander paradigm of health and healing (physical, emotional, social, cultural, and spiritual) and a commitment to making impact through translation that influences policy.

The Project Manager will work across two projects (Safe Pathways, Community Co-ordinated Burn Care) and will be required to assist on projects across the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program when necessary.

Underlying principles of our Program are:

• Strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and a commitment to using strengths-based approaches
• Capacity building for the next generation of researchers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, and for non-Indigenous researchers to enable collaborative approaches to conducting high quality, ethically sound research in partnership with First Nations organisations, communities, and individuals
• Genuine engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, other First Nations peoples and communities with research determined by community priorities

The Project Manager position is required to develop and maintain relationships with key study personnel across the study sites, recruit and / or support staff at health services, provide training when needed and ensure quality of data collection. This position will be responsible for and contributing towards preparation of study materials and ethics applications, the conduct of literature reviews. In addition, the position will have the opportunity to conduct research incorporating multiple methods and methodologies including Indigenous research methods, qualitative and quantitative research and contribute to reports and papers to share findings with stakeholders, service providers and researchers.

The Project Manager will support and work closely with team members in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program at The George Institute in Sydney. Some travel to the study sites is anticipated.  

Duties and Key Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee the project ensuring the timely delivery of milestone and agreed outcomes
• Engagement and liaison with key stakeholders including peak bodies, health services and community partners
• Work with the project lead in the conduct of research including conduct of yarning, focus groups and interviews with stakeholders
• Contribute to development of research tools and program documentation
• Monitor and track budget allocated for the project
• Ensure all communications and work practices are effective and culturally acceptable and are delivered in a manner sensitive to the cultural principles of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and staff
• Communicate effectively and regularly with study personnel
• Travel to study sites including regional areas to oversee data collections sites as required
• Liaise with key stakeholders involved to ensure a strong collaborative relationship is built
• Prioritise and manage daily workload in order to meet all deadlines
• Manage the Day-to-day project administration activities
• Conduct quality checks at study site locations
• Comply with OH&S legislation and operate in accordance with established OH&S practice and procedures at The George Institute
• Promote and contribute to a safe, secure environment for staff and visitors.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• An understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
• Demonstrated experience working in Aboriginal health care/research
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with Aboriginal community organisations and stakeholders
• Relevant experience in project management
• Strong and demonstrable coordination and communications skills
• Proven ability to work independently
• Able to identify skills needing development and pursue opportunities to develop those skills
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and build relationships within a multidisciplinary team
• Excellent organisational and time management skills including meeting management and protocols
• Attention to detail
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable in the face of changing organisational priorities and ambiguous environments

This is an Identified Position

In this position, the incumbent’s race is a genuine occupational qualification and authorised by Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. The George Institute will accept proof of Aboriginality confirming the incumbent:

• Is of Aboriginal descent
• Identifies as an Aboriginal person
• Is accepted by the Aboriginal community in which they live

This is a great opportunity for you to work on exciting projects and make an impact on global health outcomes. To learn more about the role, please view the Position Description here.

Contact: Julieann Coombes jcoombes@georgeinstitute.org.au , Kate Hunter khunter@georgeinstitute.org.au

The closing date for applications is midnight, Sunday 27th February 2022. We do, however, reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.