Full-Time, 12-Month Contract

At the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), we are committed to achieving innovative, ground-breaking health and medical research that fundamentally improves the quality of life for all people.

SAHMRI Is located on the lands of Kaurna people who are the traditional custodians of Adelaide and the greater Adelaide region. SAHMRI works with traditional custodians across South Australia, Australia and globally. This role is required to collaborate with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living on the lands of all traditional custodians across South Australia and potentially globally.

The Senior Project Officer (Aboriginal Families Study) will have a leadership role co-ordinating a small team of Aboriginal researchers undertaking follow-up of Aboriginal young people and their mothers/other primary caregivers participating in Wave 3 of Aboriginal Families Study (AFS).
This position will be based at SAHMRI Women and Kids (Adelaide) and will work within the Aboriginal Communities and Families Health Research Alliance team.

The role will include coordinating community engagement and consultation; pre-testing of survey questionnaires; and training, supervision and mentoring of Aboriginal researchers undertaking interviews with Aboriginal families in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia.

A base salary of $90,000- $110,000 is on offer for this position, in line with skills and experience.

About the Role

Key responsibilities include:

• Supervision and mentoring of a small team of Aboriginal researchers involved in conducting interviews and yarning circles in the Aboriginal Families Study.
• Contributing to the establishment of study procedures for fieldwork, including development and implementation of training modules and workshops for researchers involved in fieldwork.
• Working with other members of the research team to facilitate community engagement and follow-up of families living in urban and regional areas of South Australia.
• Liaising with local community organisations, schools, Aboriginal health services and other local community organisations to facilitate conduct of interviews and yarning circles.
• Implementing culturally and ethically sound practices, regarding participant engagement, including procedures for obtaining informed consent.
• Oversight of project data bases, data management and data security procedures during fieldwork.
• Co-ordination and oversight of risk assessment and risk management procedures to facilitate occupational health and safety during fieldwork.
• Maintaining accurate confidential records of all project-related activities.
• Working with guidance of the Aboriginal Families Study Aboriginal Governance Group.
• Participation in Aboriginal and team cultural activities.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• Immunisation Risk for this position is - Category A

• Experience working with and/or engaging Aboriginal young people and families in research projects.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Strong interpersonal and listening skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and key stakeholders in research to achieve agreed goals and objectives.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to manage time and priorities effectively and use initiative.
• Support SAHMRI’s commitment to reconciliation and acknowledge the importance of working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
• A ‘can do’ attitude, friendly and motivated team member.
  Special Requirements
• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Some out of hours’ work may be required.
• DCSI Working with Children employment screening will be required.
• Primarily located at SAHMRI Women and Kids (North Terrace) but travel to other SAHMRI sites may be required.
• SAHMRI is required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy for SAHMRI employees carrying out work in any SA Health Facility.

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community. Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Beth Kean at [email protected]

Applications close: Sunday 23rd March 2025

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is found prior to the close date.

SAHMRI considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and proof of Aboriginality will be required.