First Nations Health Promotion (Identified role)

About Children's Ground

Children’s Ground is a First Nations organisation. The Children’s Ground Approach is designed and delivered through the leadership of First Nations people. We are committed to systems change to ensure dignity, justice and equity for all children and families. Our work focuses on national reform as well as evidencing a new way of working.

The Children’s Ground Approach is a whole of community, whole of life approach. We privilege First Nations knowledge systems and practice. Over the course of a generation, led by local expertise, we create and deliver an integrated system that is centred on learning, development and wellbeing that responds to the child and their family through the key transition points from pre-birth to young adulthood.

Our approach recognises the cultural, social, and economic strength of our communities. We build on this over a generation to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren that gives them freedom, opportunity and rights to their culture and identity.

Children’s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, with support provided by a Melbourne-based Shared Services team.

About the role

This position is for a First Nations person with language skills, preferably in Arrernte (western, central and/or eastern) or any other central desert language, with a strong understanding of traditional and western health. The First Nations Health Promotion Officer will work with children, young people, elders, and families to promote family health and wellbeing and to address key health concerns identified in the community. The position will provide information in first language and will work with western health promotion staff to support individual control and understanding over health concerns. This role will work with women and young girls’ men across the communities we engage, with a strong focus on maternal and child health needs, education and access and cultural health.

The position will be working in a multi-disciplinary team, to deliver the Children’s Ground Family Health and Wellbeing Framework to improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for the community. This will include the recognition and support of local cultural knowledge systems and practices and the agency of consumers. The Health Promotion Team will work in an integrated way with the Learning and Wellbeing Team to develop and implement family health plans with individuals and families and create and deliver responses to population health needs with the local community.

Key Responsibilities

• Work closely with our Learning and Wellbeing team to provide health promotion on country, during integrated delivery sessions
• Develop and assess health needs with each community
• Health resources should be developed around the Children's Ground Family Health and Wellbeing Framework "Health in the Hands of the People to improve health outcomes
• Create and design culturally appropriate and First Nations language-based resources
• Support the delivery of health and wellbeing information and services
• Support health promotion across all areas of health needs: nutrition, social emotional wellbeing, maternal and childhood health and wellbeing services across the region
• Mentor and support both Arrernte and non-Aboriginal staff
• Work effectively with all children and families
• Meet regularly with local First Nations people and elder to discuss local aspirations
• As a team member, provide outreach family health and wellbeing promotion to service the region
• Provide advice and recommendations to Health regarding health needs in the community
• Assist in the development of family-based health and wellbeing support plans
• Partner with other local health services to deliver up-to date Western ways of health as well as First Nations Cultural health and wellbeing
• Ensure documentation, policies, procedures, systems and standards are in place with clear compliance to meet the needs of CG and the security and privacy for consumers
• Operate within the requirements of Children's Ground philosophies, policies and procedures as well as regulatory requirements
• Collection of data, ensuring information is recorded and meets the needs of the Evaluation and Health teams
• Undertake assessments and research in consultation with CG Directors and staff
• Help develop resources from within and outside of community including videos, books, papers
• Maintain confidential and up to date files
• Prepare reports as requested

Key Selection Criteria

Essential

• First Nations identified role, ideally with language skills - Arrernte or Central Desert languages
• Demonstrated knowledge, training and experience in health promotion working with First Nations communities
• Strong understanding of traditional and western health
• Strong people skills – teamwork, facilitation
• Good communication skills with language skills, preferably in Arrernte (western, central and/or eastern) or any other central desert language
• Ability to work in a flexible team environment.
• Current full driver’s licence
• An OCHRE card or willingness to obtain.
• Willingness to undergo a National Police Check 

Desirable

• Degree, Certificate, or recognised qualification in health
• Demonstrated knowledge, training, and experience in health promotion

What we offer

Salary Classification: Children's Ground EBA Level 4.1 $93,444 + 12% superannuation + bonus leave +

Salary Sacrifice options to increase take home pay (dependant on individual circumstances)

How to Apply

We invite you to walk with us on this unique journey. To apply, please submit your current resume and a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant skills.

The preferred candidate will be required to undertake relevant pre-employment checks, including a National Police Check and Working with Children Clearance (NT).