Are you an evidence and implementation champion wanting to make a real difference in child, youth and family services? Do you have high-level interpersonal and communication skills, coupled with demonstrated experience in delivering project excellence? Are you interested in joining a diverse, global team that values its people, nurtures professional growth and emphasises collaboration?

Location: Melbourne (hybrid)

Remuneration: $100,000-$110,000 per annum, plus superannuation (salary packaging available)

Contract terms: 24 months, with possibility for extension (incl. 6-month probation)

What does the Advisor do?

Despite many years of reform in the way that child and family services are delivered, there continues to be a growing demand on child protection and intensive family support services, as well as increasing rates of child protection notifications. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families continue to be over-represented in these systems. Families involved in child protection systems experience poorer educational, physical and mental health outcomes. 

CEI’s Evidence to Practice team focuses on improving outcomes for children and families across Australia, through ensuring:

• families have access to evidence-informed programs and services that meet their needs.
• evidence-informed programs and services are adapted for context and ‘fit’ with local service delivery models.
• evidence-informed programs and services are implemented as intended to achieve improved outcomes for families.

Working closely with senior staff, the Advisor supports and leads delivery of a portfolio of CEI projects with government and community services. You will lead the development of evidence-informed practice frameworks, support efforts to effectively implement interventions through a range of evidence-based strategies; and contribute to project management, research, presentations and publications as required.

As an Advisor, you will bring a high level of experience in clinical practice of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches. You will benefit from a grounding in implementation science literature and/or experience in providing implementation support for evidence-informed programs and practices in social services settings. You will be flexible and bring a diverse skillset to lead and contribute across CEI’s key areas of work.

Key areas of responsibility

Under direction of the Director or Senior Advisor, the Advisor takes responsibility for the following activities.

Support the design and development of evidence-informed practice resources, such as practice frameworks and practice guides

• Analyse and synthesise the best available research evidence, practitioner expertise and insights, and lived experience of children and families, to design evidence-informed practice resources.
• Test, trial and iterate practice resources with key stakeholders and partners to ensure appropriateness and suitability.
• Write evidence-informed practice frameworks and guides that are fit-for-purpose and context.

Provide implementation support for evidence-informed programs, practices and interventions

• Keep up to date with implementation science literature and apply insights to implementation practice.
• Design and deliver high-quality training in face-to-face and online formats.
• Provide post-training support for practitioners to translate their learnings into practice,
  e.g. through coaching, field observation and review.
• Build the capacity of local agency staff and leadership to drive practice change and other implementation efforts.
• Develop and use resources to support implementation in the field, e.g. practice fidelity assessments, implementation plans.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation processes (including monitoring implementation quality and client outcomes as a result of the program/practice/intervention).

Contribute to CEI’s thought leadership and knowledge exchange in implementation science and related topics

• Facilitate workshops and deliver seminars and other activities to build the capacity of our partners and stakeholders to understand, use and embed evidence into their day-to-day work.
• Facilitate sector and community consultation around implementation of evidence-informed programs, practices and interventions, and/or use of evidence in program and policy design and delivery.
• Provide evidence-informed implementation advice to clients and key stakeholders.

Project management and delivery

• Adopt the role of project manager or assistant project manager for selected projects, taking responsibility for developing project plans, managing staff resources and project expenses, liaising with the client, identifying project risks (e.g. contractual issues), co-ordinating project teams and running team meetings – ensuring projects are delivered on time and on budget, and to a high standard.
• Support quality project delivery by undertaking activities to a high standard and in a timely fashion, such as:
  • Coordinating and scheduling meetings and events.
  • Developing program logics/theories of change for evidence-informed programs, practices and interventions.
  • Collecting and analysing qualitative and quantitative data for implementation and evaluation projects.
  • Preparing high-quality written reports.
  • Preparing and delivering high-quality presentations (e.g. to clients, at conferences).
  • Preparing material for CEI publications (e.g. website, newsletters).

Business development and stakeholder relationships

• Contribute to or lead the preparation of competitive tenders, project proposals and grant submissions.
• Support the development and maintenance of strong stakeholder relationships.

Internal operations

• Proactively contribute to CEI’s internal operations, activities and processes, such as team meetings, knowledge management and performance tracking.

Key selection criteria

Essential skills and experience

• 3+ years of experience in a relevant content area, and willingness to quickly develop expertise in the other areas. Relevant content areas include: child welfare, parenting and families, mental health, justice and employment.
• Experience in the design of evidence-informed practices, programs, interventions or policies in human services.
• Clinical expertise in the practice of family therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy, parenting interventions or other evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaboratively engage with a wide range of professionals, clients and colleagues.
• High-level written communication skills, and ability to prepare high-quality documents for a range of audiences (e.g. practitioners, policymakers, academics).
• High-level oral communication skills, including substantial experience in (and comfort with) delivering training, facilitating interactive workshops and giving oral presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to carry out project work and deliver high-quality outcomes within tight time-frames.
• Ability and commitment to using technology to facilitate communication and project delivery, including a sound working knowledge of the Microsoft suite of programs (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Word, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to travel within Australia.

Desirable attributes

• Familiarity with the principles and practices of implementation science, including a strong understanding of related literature.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation for programs, practices and interventions.
• Prior direct experience supporting the implementation of an innovation (e.g. evidence-informed practices and programs) into a service delivery context (e.g. through training and coaching frontline staff, supporting implementation leaders).
• Knowledge of empirical research and current issues relating to child maltreatment, parenting, family violence and/or related fields.
• Experience working in or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Qualifications / accreditations

• Postgraduate degree in psychology, social work or related disciplines.

How do I apply?

Download the applicant pack HERE (which includes the role description)

Download the role description document HERE

To apply, please email your CV and covering letter (maximum 4 sides A4) to: cei.hr@ceiglobal.org

Applications close: 5pm, Friday 14 June 2024.

Note: While you’re not required to address each selection criteria individually, we encourage you to illustrate how you satisfy as many of the job-related, personal and qualification criteria as you can.

The Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) is a subsidiary of Save the Children Australia, a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and sign our Child Protection Policy and Code of Conduct.

Only applicants with rights to work in Australia will be considered.