Research Assistant - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program / Food Policy

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander identified position
• Full time opportunity
• 12 month, fixed term contract (with opportunity for further employment)
• Flexible working arrangements available

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

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.

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

We now have an exciting opportunity for a Research Assistant to join The Food Policy and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Programs, supporting on a project to improve food and water security in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The main project is about improving food and water security in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Building on the Yuwaya Ngarra-li (YN) partnership between the Dharriwaa Elders Group in Walgett and the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney, the project aims to use innovative community-led processes and frameworks, encompassing Indigenous rights and knowledges, to strengthen, implement and evaluate community solutions and build resilience to mitigate future risks to food and water security.  This includes a community garden and vegetable box schemes, school food projects, establishment of drinking water kiosks and engagement with the local council to improve drinking water quality.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Food and Water for Life Project team to support the project management and provide research support to the project (3 days). The Research Assistant will also provide support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement.

The Research Assistant will work closely with and be supported by the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Program Team and the Food Policy Team at TGI, to support existing and new programs relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

There is also potential for someone with the right interests and drive to progress to achieve their further education goals, potentially leading to a Masters degree or PhD on food policy.

Key responsibilities of the role will include:

• Providing project management and administrative support to the Food and Water for Life Project
• Organising agendas and papers for meetings, and documenting outcomes and actions
• Liaising between members of the project team (TGI, Yuwaya Ngarra-li staff at UNSW, Dharriwaa Elders Group, Walgett Aboriginal Medical Services and others) to help co-ordinate actions
• Provide ongoing support to Food and Water for Life team in program delivery
• Provide feedback to the Food and Water for Life advisory group on project progress and results
• Monitor program delivery and ensure ongoing quality of program

Desired Skills and Experience:

• Experience within Aboriginal health care and/or Aboriginal community liaison experience with an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people
• Ability to effectively communicate and work with Aboriginal community organisations and staff
• Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to manage a range of tasks with conflicting priorities and to meet deadlines whilst maintaining accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with privacy requirements
• Proven ability to work as a member of a team as well as completing tasks without supervision

For more information, please see the Position description here

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 and/or Torres Strait Islander descent
• Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• Is accepted by the Aboriginal community in which they live

The closing date for applications is Sunday 22nd August 2021. We do however, reserve the right to close this vacancy early if a suitable candidate is found.

We offer a flexible and inclusive work culture with excellent staff benefits including salary packaging arrangements and sound learning opportunities.