Senior Project Officer

• Full-time, 20-month fixed term opportunity

• Senior Project Officer within the Matilda Centre located in Camperdown campus

• Base Salary $104,633 + 17% superannuation

About the opportunity

The Matilda Centre for Research in Mental Health and Substance Use provides a world-first synergy of leading prevention, early intervention, treatment research and translation programs in substance use and mental disorders. The Matilda Centre brings together researchers currently working across disorder silos (substance use, depression, suicide, anxiety, exercise physiology, dietetics, chronic disease) to share skills, synergise data, and harness new technologies to develop and trial innovative prevention and early intervention programs for substance use and mental disorders. The Centre is further developing its capacity to disseminate, translate and implement best-practice evidence for the alcohol and other drug and mental health workforces. Associate Professor Christina Marel is Program Lead of Treatment and Translation in Complex Populations at the Matilda Centre and is currently growing her team of researchers to develop a program that will continue to build workforce capacity.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Project Officer to join The Matilda Centre and contribute to our growing program of work focusing on building the capacity of the mental health workforce to respond to alcohol and other drugs. The project is funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, and the role will involve rigorous reviews of the literature, national consultations with key stakeholders, producing content summaries, coordination of project logistics and the provision of high-level project support. The incumbent will be expected to perform high-level critical analysis and synthesis of relevant literature that will contribute to the development of clinical guidelines for the mental health workforce in relation to working with people who use alcohol and other drugs. They will work directly with a team of junior and senior researchers.

A cover letter addressing the ‘About you’ selection criteria is required for consideration for this position.       

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Provide project management specialist support including project planning, tracking, implementing and reporting

• conduct critical analysis of the literature and synthesise findings

• take a lead role in the systematic and comprehensive review of academic and grey literature, synthesising complex findings with a critical eye

• develop and maintain productive relationships with diverse internal and external project stakeholders, while implementing strategic communication plans to ensure stakeholders are informed and engaged

• conduct national consultations with stakeholders to inform development of project resources, collate and synthesise feedback, and provide support to Project leads to implement changes

• collaborate effectively within cross-functional teams to develop comprehensive and accurate project plans that ensure consistency and alignment with project objectives

• coordinate the logistical aspects of multiple project components, while effectively managing project performance and resource allocation

• generate detailed project activity reports and proactively implement necessary changes to ensure consistent progress towards milestones and timely delivery of project deliverables

• monitor project financials by tracking budgets, allocating costs effectively, and promptly identifying and addressing any financial issues or project-related problems

• undertake other duties and projects appropriate within the classification level as required

About you

• Honours qualifications in psychology, public health, or behavioural or social sciences and/or a related field, or equivalent work experience

• demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

• demonstrated experience in literature searching, critical appraisal, synthesising evidence and generating conclusions

• experience in the identification and critical appraisal of both published medical literature and unpublished research. Experience in report writing and preferable for publications in peer-reviewed journals

• excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills with sound negotiating and conflict resolution skills and a demonstrated level of tact and discretion in dealing with day-to-day operational matters

• ability to work both independently and as part of a team, taking initiative and exercising sound judgement in resolving matters that may arise as part of normal daily work

• ability to research, evaluate, and summarise relevant information from various sources

• detailed understanding of the use of high-quality clinical research (randomised trials, systematic reviews and practice guidelines) for clinical decision-making, including expertise in searching and critical appraisal

• proficient in systematic review methodologies and undertaking systematic reviews.

• demonstrated ability to organise and prioritise work, sometimes under pressure, with competing priorities and sometimes limited supervision.

To keep our community safe, please be aware of our COVID safety precautions which form our conditions of entry for all staff, students and visitors coming to campus.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

Australian Temporary Residents currently employed at the University of Sydney may be considered for a fixed term contract for the length of their visa, depending on the requirements of the hiring area and the position.

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

This position is designated as involving child-related work. To undertake or remain in this position, you are required to apply for and obtain a Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values include diversity and inclusion and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community which reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this commitment through our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People , women , people living with a disability , people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds , and those who identify as LGBTIQ . We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds.

How to apply

Applications (including a cover letter, CV, and any additional supporting documentation) can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page.  

If you are a current employee of the University or a contingent worker with access to Workday, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard. Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a confidential discussion about the role, or if you require reasonable adjustment or support filling out this application, please contact Roshik Prasad, Recruitment Operations, by email to [email protected]

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Click to view the Position Description for this role.

Applications Close

Thursday 04 April 2024 11:59 PM