First Nations Public Health Lead

About the North Eastern Public Health Unit

The North Eastern Public Health Unit (NEPHU) is one of nine public health units in Victoria: three in metropolitan Melbourne and six covering regional Victoria. Together these units form a coordinated network, working in partnership with the Department of Health to deliver a comprehensive public health program for Victoria.  The NEPHU is hosted and supported by Austin Health with responsibility spanning approximately 1.81m people living in the northeast of metropolitan Melbourne. We work collaboratively to improve the health and wellbeing of the NEPHU population through health promotion, prevention and protection activity. The NEPHU is proud of its diverse multidisciplinary team who provide a service across extended hours seven days per week. Participation in a 7-day roster during periods of public health emergency may be required of all staff.  

About the role

Reporting to the Deputy Director of NEPHU, the First Nations Public Health Lead will be responsible for providing cultural leadership to support NEPHU activities and initiatives to be culturally appropriate and responsive to the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The role will build partnerships with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health sector and communities to facilitate collaborative work on shared priorities and to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the NEPHU catchment.

 The First Nations Public Health Lead will be responsible for leading NEPHUs strategic priorities in relation to Aboriginal and Torress Strait Islander peoples, and for leading public health initiatives. This includes collaborating with the NEPHU team to implement and guide public health initiatives and contributing to the design and delivery of culturally safe programs across the unit. The role will work to lead these activities to be reflective and inclusive of the needs, perspectives and voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

A regular day will see you:

• Provide cultural guidance/leadership within NEPHU to enhance engagement with and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Lead the development, implementation and evaluation of public health activities that address the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Facilitate engagement processes that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members in the creation and adaptation of public health interventions.
• Build and maintain strong, respectful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, organisations, and Elders within the NEPHU catchment area.
• Build and strengthen partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations, government bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.