Primary objective

Provide strategic leadership in population health, promote health protection and prevention, and provide high level public health advice to the Chief Executive Officer and the Minister for Health as well as other government agencies on health related matters.

Context statement

The CHO has extensive statutory functions under NT legislation and represents the NT on the Australian Health Protection Committee (AHPC) and other National Councils. The CHO leads the Public Health Division which provides expert advice and support in the areas of health statistics; communicable disease surveillance and control; non-communicable disease prevention including injury prevention, cancer screening, and organ donation; health protection including environmental health, radiation protection, medicines and poisons regulation; and leads the emergency management portfolio including the Public Health Group.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Provide strategic policy advice to the Government and NT Health Leadership including Regional Health Services and others on matters relating to public and environmental health, and public health training across the professional disciplines.

2. Oversee and lead the work of the Public Health Division

3. Continuously develop, improve and monitor the standards of population health and public health services across the NT, providing public health medical advice, support and direction and contributing to policy and quality assurance programs.

4. Ensure compliance with the NT Public and Environmental Health Act and other relevant legislation to implement national and Territory public health policies and standards including disease prevention, surveillance and outbreak management.

5. Advise on public health legislation, health promotion and protection and act as the spokesperson for a range of current and emerging public health issues.

6. Lead strategic engagement with key stakeholders including other government agencies, service providers, consumers, carers, families and professional organisations.

7. Represent the NT in national planning and policy development for public health service provision and related issues as directed by the Chief Executive Officer.

8. Follow defined service quality standards, work health and safety policies and procedures relating to the work being undertaken to ensure high quality, safe services and workplaces.

9. Foster a positive workplace culture through exemplary leadership practices and role modelling behaviour.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Eligible for registration by the Medical Board of Australia (must be provided prior to commencement).

2. Fellowship of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Physicians Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine

3. Experience of working in public health, with demonstrated knowledge of contemporary practice and proven ability in developing and monitoring clinical standards and guidelines.

4. Strong track record of achievement in senior management positions, with a sound understanding of government processes, strategic policy and planning, accountability applicable to the NT public health system.

5. Experience in advising on complex public health issues with due regard for community, patient, clinical, legal and legislative, and resourcing implications.

6. Advanced verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills and a demonstrated capacity to engage with a range of stakeholders.

7. Current knowledge of legislative obligations for Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO), Disability Services and WHS and how these impact on employment and service delivery.

Further information

Positions may be subject to pre-employment checks such as immunisation requirements, working with children clearance notice and criminal history checks. A criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history. For immunisation requirements - Category A (direct contact with blood or body substances) or Category B (indirect contact with blood or body substances), check with contact person for requirements.