Senior Research Officer – MECSH

Up to 3 years full time contract (1.0 FTE) based in DarwinAbout 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 CDU:Charles Darwin University (CDU) is the major provider of tertiary education and training in the Northern Territory. The College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society aims to build the capacity of Indigenous academics and researchers and to support community-based research across the NT.About the position:Menzies School of Health Research and the CDU College of Indigenous Futures, Arts and Society have been contracted to evaluate the NT Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-Visiting (MECSH) program over five years. This program aims to improve outcomes for children and their families by building parents’ capacity to provide safe, responsive care in a home environment that supports children’s development and learning. NT MECSH is currently implemented by Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation in the Barkly region; Katherine West Health Aboriginal Corporation and Sunrise Health Aboriginal Corporation in the Big Rivers region; and Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation in the East Arnhem region.The Senior Research Officer (SRO) will be an experienced or early career researcher who will work with the MECSH Evaluation Team Leader, Coordinator, researchers and partners to evaluate the MECSH program in participating sites and communities. Research activities for the project utilise mixed quantitative and qualitative methods, including interviews with staff and community members and the use of structured tools to evaluate health systems and practices. The SRO will be responsible for engagement and data-gathering in remote locations and for analysis and interpretation of findings in collaboration with senior researchers. A key focus of the SRO’s role will be to establish and supervise small groups of community-based Indigenous research assistants to engage community members to gather consents, explain the project and to conduct qualitative research with mothers and their families.The Senior Research Officer will:Work in collaboration with the CCDE Director and researchers to evaluate the MECSH program in collaboration with participating Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS).Contribute to ongoing development and review of the MECSH evaluation plan, methods and approaches in consultation with the senior researchers and project partners.Work to ensure that research activities and reporting are conducted according to the schedule of deliverables and contractual requirements for the MECSH project agreement.Take responsibility for ongoing engagement of community and organizational stakeholders in order to conduct research across communities for the evaluation of the MECSH program.Play a leading role in community-based research activity, including mentoring and supervision of local research assistants.At all times ensure that research is culturally appropriate, safe, respectful and reflective of Aboriginal perspectives.Play a leading role in analysis and write-up of findings for feedback to partners through reports, workshops and other media.Develop and expand peer reviewed scholarly publication based on MECSH and other research activity.Contribute to the development of further funding by contributing to grants and other submissions in collaboration with other researchers.The successful applicant will have:PhD in the area of social, developmental, nursing or public health sciences.Demonstrated experience in research involving families and children in diverse community settings.Excellent cross-cultural awareness and skills in community engagement involving Aboriginal communities and families.Demonstrated understanding of mixed quantitative and qualitative evaluation research methods with excellent qualitative skills in real-world community and service settings involving Aboriginal participants.Proven ability to communicate to community and professional audiences through various forms of presentation and publication.A track record of scholarly publication in peer reviewed journals, commensurate with career experience and opportunity.Demonstrated capacity to prepare reports and other outputs according to contractual requirements.Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage time, establish priorities and work to deadlines, and, according to experience and opportunity, to contribute to leadership and management of research.Ability to maintain a current Working with Children Clearance (Ochre card) and NT driver’s license.Ability to undertake air or land travel to remote communities as required. – potentially 12 visits for up to two weeks at a time over a 12 months period.Contact: Prof Gary Robinson on 08 8946 8458 or gary.robinson@menzies.edu.au  What we offer:6 weeks annual leaveOption to increase super to 14%Attractive salary package and benefits $122,215 - $142,011 pa salary package (comprising gross salary $96,834 - $113,503 pa, superannuation and salary packaging benefits.Closing date: Sunday, 11 October 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.    AUD Darwin