Health Promotion Nutrition Program Officer

Nindilingarri Cultural Health Services (NCHS) are committed to delivering a range of holistic and culturally appropriate health services to the Indigenous population of the Fitzroy Valley, amongst whom traditional law, language and cultural practices remain strong. Located in the remote heart of the Kimberley region of Western Australia, 260 km from Derby and 290 from Halls Creek, we service 45 Indigenous communities scattered over an area of approximately 300km.

KEY OBJECTIVE: To work as an integral part of the Nindilingarri Health Promotion team to provide an effective Nutrition Program to the residents of the Fitzroy Valley.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Contribute to, promote and adhere to the philosophy of NCHS;
• Coordinate the implementation and evaluation of the Fitzroy Valley Nutrition Program strategy;
• Work with the Health Promotion Team to assist NCHS in future planning and development of holistic nutrition based activities in the Fitzroy Valley;
• Act as the primary resource for nutrition information, education and skills training for NCHS staff and Community members;
• foster local capacity building through identifying, training and supervising potential community nutrition health workers;
• Act in a manner which is responsive to the shared and individual cultural needs of people living in the Fitzroy Valley.

DUTY STATEMENT:

• Work in partnership with the staff of Fitzroy Valley Health Services, Kimberley Population Health Unit and the Kimberley Division of General Practice to facilitate a coordinated approach to promotion of good nutrition in the Fitzroy Valley;
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with other organisations in the Fitzroy Valley to deliver a responsive Nutrition Program and reduce duplication of services;
• Implement identified strategies to improve food security and nutrition in the Fitzroy Valley Community Stores including but not limited to point of sale promotions including posters, shelf-talkers, food tasting, recipe cards and store displays to promote consumption of healthier food options;
• Work with community groups, community councils, store managers and other key groups to implement educational nutrition strategies including 'healthy food cook-ups', school education programs, community education programs with various groups including the 'home-maker groups', mothers with young children and other community nutrition workers, with other members of the Health Promotion team;
• Visit outlying Communities to engage community members in the Nutrition Program education and activities, or conduct needs assessments as required, with other members of the Fitzroy Valley Health Partnership;
• Ensure overall program goals as set down in the Nutrition Program Action Plan, as well as timely reporting are met in accordance with NCHS funding body requirements;
• Participate in the development and testing of culturally appropriate resources and the delivery of health education material with other members of the Health Promotion Team and Environmental Health Team;
• Participate in training, education and supervision of Health Workers, Students and other NCHS staff both formally and opportunistically;
• Promote an optimum level of professional and personal development by attending and participating in ongoing internal and external training and staff development programs;
• Support and participate in accreditation and quality improvement processes and activities at NCHS;
• Maintain appropriate OH&S standards in the workplace at all times;
• Other duties as reasonable required by Programs and Services Manager.

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• Tertiary qualifications in nutrition, home economics, or an appropriate health related field;
• Understanding and commitment to the philosophy and aims of Public Health, Health Promotion and Community Development;
• Experience in Health Promotion program planning, implementation and evaluation;
• Basic knowledge of Aboriginal health issues;
• Ability to work autonomously;
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective interdisciplinary team member with good interpersonal skills and harmonious work relationships;
• Demonstrated ability to build positive working relationships with external organisations to reach common goals;
• High quality verbal and written communication skills, including report writing skills;
• Computing skills including internet research and word processing;
• Demonstrated ability to utilise effective problem solving strategies;
• Realistic and flexible attitude, and genuine commitment to working in a remote area with people with differing cultural perspectives;
• Commitment to ongoing professional development;
• Working knowledge of relevant Health and Safety Legislation;
• Satisfactory Police and Working With Children Clearances;
• Current driver's licence.

Desirable:

• Experience working in a cross cultural setting;
• Experience in rural and /or remote health sector;
• Experience in developing culturally appropriate and localised Health Promotion material;
• Current first aid certificate;
• Experience driving 4WD vehicles or completion of a 4WD course.

We offer exciting employment incentives including 4WD vehicle, salary packaging and generous leave. Subsidised housing may also be provided. 

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A CV, REFERENCES AND A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE SELECTION CRITERIA TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

Closing date Friday 23th February 2024

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are encouraged to apply.