Community Engagement Officer

**Role type**:Part-time (0.4 FTE); Fixed term to June 2026
**Faculty**:Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences (MDHS)
**Department**:Infectious Diseases
**Salary**:UoM 5 $85,238 - $97,906 per annum (pro rata for part time) plus 17% superannuation
- Empower First Nations communities, s upport groundbreaking health research and f oster meaningful relationships.
- Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.
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**The University of Melbourne**

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website and stay connected with our stories and people on LinkedIn.

**Your next career opportunity**
As the Community Engagement Officer (FIRST), you'll play a crucial role in supporting First Nations Community Panels in partnership with the First Nations Pandemic Research Preparedness Network (FIRST). You'll have the opportunity to engage with diverse stakeholders, travel to communities, and contribute to impactful health research. Your work will involve coordinating panels, preparing research outputs, and supporting the FIRST Governance Group, making a real difference in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health outcomes.

**Your responsibilities will include**:

- **Coordinate Fi**r**st Nations Community Panels**:Provide organisation and administrative support for all aspects of the panel, including occasional travel to the communities.
- **Prepare Research outputs**:Support the creation of reports, summaries, and other written materials for stakeholders and communities.
- **Facilitate FIRST Network Activities**:Work closely with co-chairs, the Project Officer, and Governance Group Members to enable and support network initiatives.
- **Maintain Stakeholder Relationships**:Engage effectively with community and research stakeholders, fostering strong partnerships with First Nations organisations.

**You may be a great fit**:
You are a culturally sensitive professional based in Victoria or New South Wales with excellent communication and organisational skills, capable of engaging effectively with First Nations communities and supporting impactful health research initiatives.

**You may also**:

- Have demonstrated experience in engaging with First Nations peoples, communities, and organisations.
- Possess strong skills in promoting culturally safe practices for First Nations researchers, healthcare workers, and community members.
- Excel in interpersonal, written, and verbal communication, supporting flexible group interactions both in-person and online.
- Have excellent organisational and administrative skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office suite.
- Bring understanding of community engagement activities and qualitative research methodologies (desirable).

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

**What we offer you**
We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

- Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being.
- Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance.
- Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance.
- Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program.

**Your new team -**Department of Infectious Diseases**
The Department of Infectious Diseases, a new addition to the Melbourne Medical School within the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, is located at The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity. Our research portfolio covers a wide range of infectious diseases, including antimicrobial resistance and healthcare associated infections, malaria, HIV, tuberculosis, influenza, viral hepatitis, sexually-transmitted infections, skin pathogens and emerging infectious diseases such as COVID-19. Our diverse team of researchers brings together expertise from various fields, such as: discovery research and basic scientists, clinician researchers, epidemiologists, public health physicians and microbiologists. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to tackle complex infectious disease challenges from multiple angles, fostering innovative solutions and advancements in the field.

**Be Yourself**
The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organisation. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

**Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants**
We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australia