Nutrition Policy Advisor For Early Childhood Services And Schools

Are you interested in supporting Victorian Early Childhood Services and Schools to provide and promote healthier foods and drinks?

The Heathy Eating Advisory Service team are looking for their next Nutrition Policy Advisor for schools and Early Childhood Services. If you have a nutrition and dietetics qualification and some experience in a nutrition health promotion role, we’d love to hear from you. You’ll be working in a supportive and collaborative team, and with organisations across the state transforming the food environments of Early Childhood Services and Schools. This role is full time and is confirmed until 30 June 2024 and ongoing pending confirmation funding from Victorian Government

HEAS

The Healthy Eating Advisory Service (HEAS) is an initiative funded by the Victorian Government. It aims to build the knowledge, skills and capacity of food service staff, other staff and health professionals working in key settings across Victoria in order to improve the availability of healthy food and drinks across the State. The service supports the strategic direction of the Victorian Government with respect to public health and wellbeing.

How you’ll contribute:

In this position, you’ll work both collaboratively and autonomously to:

• Maintain a telephone and email advisory service to support settings to implement policies and guidelines and to provide advice about creating healthy eating environments.

• Provide online and in-person training and advice to health promoters in local communities supporting organisations to implement guidelines.

• Provide input into the development of communication and engagement strategies including content for social media and newsletters.

• Review, update and develop resources (including FoodChecker, face to face and online training) to support implementation of relevant policies and guidelines.

• Perform as the key subject matter expert in activities related to initiatives targeting long day care, outside school hours care and Schools

• Engage new organisations and stakeholders to increase uptake of HEAS services.

• Collect process and impact data for reporting and evaluation.

• Coordinate and supervise volunteers, students and consultant dietitians/nutritionists as required.

• Represent the HEAS team as subject matter expert in collaborations such as Vic Kids Eat Well and other external stakeholder networks and working groups.

• Support the Senior Project Officer, Nutrition Manager and Program Manager as required to update the HEAS project plan according to identified needs.

• Contribute to the development of new initiatives to engage with target settings such as campaigns and promotional activities.

Key result areas (KRAs)

Critical to success in this role are:

• Technical nutrition expertise

• Ability to work proactively, effectively and co-operatively with stakeholders

• Effective delivery of the Early Childhoodand Schools component of the HEAS as outlined in the above key responsibilities.

Key selection criteria

Qualifications/Experience:

Essential:

• Tertiary qualifications in nutrition and dietetics and eligible for Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) status.

• Experience in public health nutrition, dietetics and/or health promotion role.

• Knowledge and understanding of the Victorian public health nutrition landscape.

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.

• Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.

• Experience and confidence in presenting to various audiences and facilitating sessions.

• Excellent organisational and task management skills, including demonstrated ability to set goals and targets, meet tight deadlines and handle competing demands.

• Ability to work independently or as part of a team.

• Demonstrated attention to detail and critical analysis skills.

• Demonstrated experience in resource development.

• Current driver’s license.

Desirable:

• Confidence with interpretation and application of the nutrition criteria of policies and guidelines that direct the operation of Victorian Early Childhood Services and Schools.

• A good understanding of evidence-based research and ability to translate high level research as well as relevant guidelines and policies into resources that are usable by the general public.

• Knowledge and understanding of evidence-based health promotion strategies and how these contribute to developing healthier communities.

• Experience working with or developing resources for culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Benefits include:

• Make a difference to the health of children in Victoria.

• Working as part of a high performing team and not-for-profit with purpose.

• Staff wellbeing and a recognition program.

• Access to salary packaging.

• Hybrid working arrangement, working from home and office in Richmond, Melbourne.

This is a fixed term, full time contract position until 30 June 2024, with the possibility of extension, pending confirmation funding from Victorian Government).

How to apply

Applications are welcomed by people who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities.

To apply for this exciting position please click 'Apply Now' and submit your resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria set out in the position description.

Applications will close at 5pm on Monday 19th February 2023. For a confidential discussion or any further questions, please contact Michelle Gilmore on (03) 8341 5***.

All offers of employment will be made subject to satisfactory completion of employment checks including evidence of right to work in Australia and, a National Police Check.

Whilst we respect the time taken to apply for this position, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted due to high volumes of applications.