Position Description Position Title(+ Ft/Pt/Fixed/Casual) Program Area Award/Agreement/Classification Reports To Contact Contact Phone Number Consumer & Carer Participation Officer ( 0.2 EFT, until 30th June 2016) Prevention & Population Health Health and Allied Services, Managers and Administrative Officers, 2011-2015, Grade 3 Coordinator, Mental Health Catchment Based Planning Gordon Conochie (Senior Manager, Prevention & Population Health) 0475 810 798 cohealth is one of Australia’s largest community health organisations delivering services across Melbourne’s inner, northern and western metropolitan suburbs. cohealth’s mission is to strengthen community and make a difference to the lives and wellbeing of people, particularly of those who experience stigma and the risk of marginalisation. We create impact through a powerful combination of advocacy, innovation in service delivery, and partnership with consumers, communities and other stakeholders. With over 40 sites cohealth provides a range of vital local health and support services including medical, dental, allied health, mental health, and counselling, and many specialist health services. More information about cohealth is available on our website www.cohealth.org.au. Staff enjoy being part of a supportive environment with strong leadership and a collegiate and communicative approach. A not for profit organisation built on strong values, cohealth’s commitment to all staff and volunteers is to ensure a positive and supportive work environment. cohealth is an equal opportunity employer that offers generous salary packaging and opportunity to undertake professional training and development opportunities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to apply. Site/Program Profile The Prevention & Population Health program is part of the Advocacy and Partnerships Directorate which is responsible for ensuring alignment between cohealth’s strategic and value based commitment to inclusion, and the continued development of cohealth’s local communities and services. The Directorate seeks to achieve this outcome by facilitating a range of cross organisational programs and external partnerships focussed on policy, research and service innovation; community partnerships, programs and strategy; prevention and population health planning, and communications, marketing and media relations. The Prevention & Population Health program aims to improve health, wellbeing and social inclusion through cross-organisational programs, external partnerships and community development. It comprises a range of functions including integrated health promotion and upstream primary prevention programs, and the Catchment Based Planning Function under the newly established Community Mental Health Support Services system. Prevention & Population Health Mission Statement “We work with the communities we serve, especially the most vulnerable communities, taking action before health issues arise to improve health and prevent illness. We do this by addressing social determinants of health, improving access to services, developing creative programs and advocating for equitable systems for the whole population." Position summary Cohealth is responsible for establishing and coordinating the delivery of catchment based planning for Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) across the north and west of Melbourne. The Consumer and Carer Participation Officer will be part of a small team with a coordinator and senior manager that will work with cohealth, other MHCSS providers and consumers to better understand and respond to needs and work collaboratively to improve responsiveness, with a focus on the most disadvantaged. The Consumer and Carer Participation Officer is responsible for enabling consumers and carers inform the development and review of the catchment-based strategic plan and are represented in other relevant planning forums. The Officer will work closely with consumer and carer consultants employed by the MHCSS providers to achieve this. Position Responsibilities   Contribute to the development, implementation and review of a consultation and engagement strategy with consumers and carers. Manage the Consumer Working Group that meets quarterly, approximately, ensuring that group is contributing effectively to decisions about how Mental Health Community Support Services (MHCSS) can be more accessible and work better with other services.       Contribute to the development of and manage the delivery of consultation and engagement strategies and activities with carers Collaborate with consumer and carer consultants employed by MHCSS providers in the catchment area to create systems, structures and processes that enable consumers and carers to influence planning, delivery and review of services. Learn and share information amongst MHCSS providers in the catchment regarding successful ways of enabling consumers and carers to influence planning, delivery and review of services. Assist carers and consumers to participate effectively in consultation and engagement activities or events, such as stakeholder forums, by providing orientation and guidance. Collaborate with existing consumer and carer groups to gather information from them to influence planning, delivery and review of services. Undertake other duties as instructed by the line manager. General Organisational Requirements  Ensure compliance with cohealth financial policies and procedures  Ensure all work is in line with cohealth policies and procedures  Work within limits of confidentiality and privacy appropriate to programs  Work in ways that support and uphold cohealth values  Maintain integrity in adhering to personal accountabilities such as working in a non-smoking work place, no smoking with or around clients, timeliness and other professional courtesies Position Requirements      An ability to build and maintain relationships with consumers, carers and staff from multiple organisations Takes initiative, acts with confidence and works well under own direction Ability to solve problems by being collaborative, creative and analytical Demonstrates integrity and reliability, and fosters open, honest, communication Must be an Australian citizen or have work rights in Australia Key Selection criteria Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced people addressing the following areas: Essential     Tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience. Lived experience of mental illness and recovery. Knowledge of, and commitment to, client, carer and community participation and codesign. Experience of participating in meetings/groups that plan or review services     Experience of assisting consumers or carers participate in meetings/groups that plan or review of services Knowledge and understanding of the mental health sector and the key stakeholders. Experience of building and maintaining relationships and working in partnerships/networks. Good written and verbal communication skills. Desirable  Knowledge of the health sector in North and West areas of Metropolitan Melbourne  Knowledge of the cohealth regions and relevant services  Current drivers licence Additional Information 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. cohealth is an equal opportunity employer. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and those who speak languages other than English are encouraged to apply. This position is based at cohealth’s office: 365 Hoddle Street, Collingwood, 3011, but may be required to work across sites from time to time or to change sites. Employment is subject to the satisfactory completion of a Police Record Check and where required Working with Children Check. In the context of occupational health and safety all employees are required to carry out their duties in a manner that does not adversely affect their own health and safety and that of others by reporting all incidents and injuries as well as co-operating with any measures introduced in the workplace to improve OH&S. Salary packaging is available to all fixed and permanent staff. Relationship to Performance Development and Review Plan This position description operates in conjunction with and forms part of the relevant individual Performance Development Review Plan. An initial performance review will take place three months following commencement of employment and then on an annual basis. Our Principles Our work is informed by human rights based principles which include: Participation: We work to improve access to our services by creating opportunities for active and meaningful participation. Accountability: We have strong systems that are open and transparent and we actively encourage and respond to feedback. Non-discrimination and attention to vulnerable groups: We work with the most disadvantaged people to improve their health and wellbeing. Empowerment: We work alongside a strong and well-connected community that is supported to have a voice. Linking practice to human rights standards: Our work promotes and protects the rights of staff, consumers and the wider community. We require all employees to perform in a way that is in line with these principles. Document Review Details Version Number: 1.0 Date Reviewed: 22nd April 2015 Date to be reviewed: 22nd April 2016 I have read, understood and accept the above position description Name Signature Date / / Date / / Director Name Director Signature