About the position
The Research and Education Lead - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health will work closely with the VCCC Alliance Health Equity Program and Equity Governance Group. They will be an integral member of the VCCC Alliance Collaborative Leadership, a multidisciplinary and cross functional program incorporating 10 tumour stream and four cross cutting theme Research and Education (R&E) Leads whose purpose is to facilitate the more rapid translation of research derived evidence into clinical care. They will be accountable for identifying and driving ongoing development and implementation of a stream of work that contributes to addressing inequities in cancer outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians through the VCCC Alliance Health Equity Program.
The Research and Education Lead - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health will provide leadership and support to build capability and capacity for addressing inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the VCCC Alliance and our collaborators, in alignment with the VCCC Alliance 2024-2029 Strategy, the Victorian Cancer Plan and the Australian Cancer Plan. The role will also assist in the coordination and collaboration of activities that contribute to, build upon and collaborate with others to address inequities in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities in Victoria.
This role requires a pro-active and highly motivated individual with significant experience in developing and implementing complex equity-related initiatives, preferably in the health sector, and who can establish strong collaborative relationships with staff across the VCCC Alliance, within member organisations, and with external stakeholders.
Key responsibilities
- The Research and Education Lead - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health will provide strategic leadership across the VCCC Alliance in the development and implementation of key initiatives to contribute to addressing inequities in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. This will include:
- Build internal and external networks and partnerships to develop and support initiatives that address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people related to improving cancer outcomes
- provide strategic leadership for the research and education/training across relevant tumour streams and other strategic program areas
- facilitate the VCCC Alliance members working together more effectively to address inequities in cancer outcomes.
- Provide expert advice on existing health inequities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander needs, to inform programming and contribute to the VCCC Alliance’s strategic planning processes.
- Continue to assess the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health landscape across the VCCC Alliance to gain an understanding of where the VCCC Alliance can add value with consideration for the following areas:
- linkage and sharing of health, clinical and patient experience data as an enabler for research;
- personalised cancer care;
- systems and processes that increase access to clinical trials;
- innovations to improve cancer outcomes in regional Victoria;
- research and research-enabling infrastructure;
- education, training (including research training) and professional development;
- evidence for best practice across the continuum of care.
- Act as an ambassador for the VCCC Alliance by:
- increasing awareness of the role of the VCCC Alliance;
- identifying key opportunities for VCCC Alliance engagement;
- speaking publicly about VCCC Alliance programs in the media, scientific and clinical communities;
- contributing content to the VCCC Alliance newsletter and annual report as appropriate;
- other communication activities as and when appropriate.
- From time to time, the VCCC Alliance may also call on the Lead’s expertise to have input into other related activities. Such input will be discussed and agreed in association with the VCCC Alliance CEO.
- With support from the VCCC Alliance program staff, participate in the development of the evaluation of the collaborative model of leadership to inform future planning, with the aim of continuing to drive impactful synergistic initiatives toward improved patient outcomes.
Key selection criteria
This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Skills and Experience
- Significant experience in addressing inequities in health outcomes experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Informed understanding of and commitment to the vision of VCCC Alliance
- Significant research profile relative to opportunity in the health disparities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- Proven experience in contributing to a collaborative enterprise and enabling collective impact
- Experience in developing and/or delivering post-graduate education/training for health and/or research professionals
- Demonstrated success in building research capability in a complex environment
- Demonstrated involvement in, and support for, evidence-based processes that improve patient outcomes
- Significant experience effectively managing the requirements of a wide range of stakeholders, including organisations working with or representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Qualifications
- PhD or equivalent level of experience
- A relevant health related or educational qualification
- A University affiliation.
Term and Time Commitment
Availability to commit up responsibilities of the role until 30 June 2028.
Funding Arrangement
The funding agreement offered for this appointment will provide funds to be held by the R&E Lead’s substantive (current) employer for the purposes of backfilling for their position, including any support, for the period.
Further information
Download Position description
For further information about VCCC Alliance, please go to our website.
For confidential enquiries regarding applying for this role, please contact
Head of Quality & Strategic Initiatives, Dr Vijaya Joshi +61 408 087 567 and/or [email protected].
To express your interest
In the interests of finding a candidate with the most relevant expertise and experience, this position will be advertised both within and outside the VCCC Alliance member network. A secondment opportunity will be considered for candidates from VCCC Alliance members.
This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
To express your interest in this role, please send your CV and covering letter outlining the key reasons for your interest in the role, specifically addressing the key selection criteria in this EOI document to Dr Vijaya Joshi ([email protected]), no later than Monday 5 August.
