Research Fellow – AODG Program

3 years part time (0.6 FTE) contract based in Darwin About Menzies:Menzies School of Health Research is one of Australia’s leading medical research institutes dedicated to improving Indigenous, global and tropical health. Menzies has a history of over 30 years of scientific discovery and public health achievement. Menzies works at the frontline, joining with partners across the Asia-Pacific as well as Indigenous communities across Northern and Central Australia.About the position:The Northern Territory (NT) has the highest level of alcohol consumption per capita in Australia, with notably high-risk drinking patterns. The harmful use of alcohol has significant health, social and economic impacts and represents a significant cost to health, police, child protection, education, justice, and corrections systems in the NT. The Alcohol, Other Drugs and Gambling (AODG) program sits within the Wellbeing and Preventable Chronic Diseases Division of Menzies. Menzies has shown a longstanding commitment to leading and conducting high-quality, culturally-responsive, policy-relevant and contextually-nuanced AODG research and evaluation projects, at local and national levels, contributing to important service redesign and policy reforms.This position is primarily responsible for managing the Northern Territory site co-ordination for an Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Grant associated with evaluating a range of alcohol policy initiatives being implemented by the Northern Territory Government, including the Banned Drinker Register and Minimum Unit Price. It will also involve participation in a range of other related research projects being led by the AODG program at Menzies, as required. The Research Fellow will be responsible for facilitating effective communication between key stakeholders and partner organisations ensuring effective collaboration takes place. The Research Fellow is required to have quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation skills and expertise; experience in research capacity building, community engagement, project management and knowledge translation; and a broad understanding of public health research relating to alcohol harm minimisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, men’s health and health policy development and implementation.This position is based in Darwin and will require some travel (by light Aircraft or 4WD) to regional and remote locations throughout the NT for up to once a monthThe Research Fellow will:Provide high-quality research and evaluation leadership, management and cultural integrity within all allocated AODG projects including project planning, ethics preparation, recruitment, fieldwork, data analysis and reporting.Lead effective and efficient administration and project management of multiple AODG research and evaluation projects, including policy adherence, and reporting to funding bodies, human research and ethics committees and stakeholders.Work collaboratively with administrative, project and research staff with a high level of integrity and effectiveness.Provide direct supervision and mentorship to junior staff within the AODG team, as directed.Manage, coordinate, support and monitor the activities and outputs of the projects to ensure high quality and timely delivery on contractual obligations, and mitigate risks by ensuring compliance with performance requirements according to contracts, ethics and project goals.Establish and maintain effective partnerships with key stakeholders.Actively seek further consultancy, research and evaluation funding association with alcohol harm minimisation and other relevant Indigenous health research priorities.Lead capacity building efforts, and knowledge translation and dissemination strategies, in partnership with key stakeholders.Lead the preparation of high quality academic papers and reports, suitable for peer-review.Regularly review the project budget and financial status of projects in collaboration with the Business Manager; and report expenditure in accordance with agreed budget allocations and timelines.The successful applicant will have:A PhD in a public health, preferably with an alcohol harm minimisation focus.Demonstrated high level application of quantitative and qualitative research and evaluation skills, approaches, methods and analytic tools, and well-developed aptitude to apply these to public health and Indigenous research and evaluation contexts.High level experience in project management and evaluation in complex cross-cultural settings.Demonstrated high level understanding of primary health care and alcohol harm minimisation practice and policy contexts in the NT.Demonstrated capacity to work effectively with a range of stakeholders including government agencies, Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, non-government organisations, peak bodies, and practitioner groups.Demonstrated high level capacity to work independently, show leadership and initiative, to set priorities, coordinate tasks and meet deadlines.Demonstrated exemplary written and verbal communication skills with a proven track-record in writing high quality peer-reviewed scholarship, reports and grants; and presenting at national and international conferences.Sound computer literacy skills.The ability to maintain a current NT driver’s license and the ability to undertake intrastate air or land travel to regional and remote locations, for up to once a month.The ability to interact effectively with people from diverse cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.Contact: Prof James Smith on 8946 8685 or 0455 088 501 or james.smith@menzies.edu.au  What we offer:6 weeks annual leaveOption to increase super to 14%Attractive salary package and benefits $131,701 - $139,394 pro-rata salary package (comprising gross salary $104,738 - $111,277 pro-rata, superannuation and salary packaging benefits.Closing date: Sunday, 12 July 2020 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.For information on how to apply for this position and to obtain the Position Description and Selection Criteria please visit www.menzies.edu.au/careers or phone 08 8946 8626.   PD_Research Fellow_AODG Program AUD Darwin