Senior Public Health Officer/Public Health Officer (Clinical Advisor Office)

[What the role is]

Senior Public Health Officer/Public Health Officer in the Clinical Advisor Office plays a pivotal role in conducting horizon scans, literature reviews, convening and supporting technical advisory committees and expert workgroups, reviewing, developing and updating or renewing of clinical guidance related to communicable diseases; assisting the Clinical Advisor Office in reviewing and providing inputs for requests relating to infectious diseases matters of national importance, in consultation with the Clinical Advisor and the Infectious Diseases Clinical Advisory Committee; assisting in developing an overarching strategy on therapeutics for infectious diseases (including novel therapeutics for pandemics); and coordinating and working with divisions in the Communicable Diseases Agency, whole-of-government ministries and agencies, and other professional bodies and societies.

This position involves proactive needs assessment, committee facilitation, strategy development, stakeholder coordination and ensuring the currency and alignment of clinical guidance with international best practices and local healthcare priorities.

The Senior Public Health Officer/Public Health Officer will be working in a fast-paced and dynamic environment that would require the ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders at the same time.

[What you will be working on]

(i) Horizon Scanning and Needs Assessment

• •Conduct proactive horizon scanning to identify emerging needs and trends in the field of communicable diseases, aligning with international best practices and local healthcare priorities.
• •Determine the requirements for new or updated clinical guidance based on the identified needs and trends, ensuring responsiveness to evolving public health challenges.
• •Conduct literature reviews to support the review and provision of inputs for requests relating to infectious diseases matters of national importance.

(ii) Committee Organisation and Facilitation

• •Convene advisory committees and expert workgroups to provide inputs on infectious diseases matters and for reviewing and developing of clinical guidance
• •Support and facilitate expert committees and workgroups for the drafting and review of clinical guidance, ensuring the inclusion of multidisciplinary expertise and stakeholder input in the clinical guidance development process.
• •Coordinate committee activities, including scheduling meetings, managing documentation, and fostering collaboration among committee members.

(iii) Clinical Guidance Development and Maintenance

Review, develop, and/or update clinical guidance, ensuring that they remain current, evidence-based, and aligned with international standards.

Coordinate the periodic review and refreshment of existing clinical guidance to reflect the latest evidence and best practices, working closely with subject matter experts and stakeholders.

(iv) Strategy Development

Assist to review and develop an overarching strategy on therapeutics for infectious diseases and coordinating and working with whole-of-government ministries and agencies, and other professional bodies and societies

(v) Stakeholder Engagement

Engage with internal and external stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, researchers, policy makers and public health experts, to gather input and insights for the development and maintenance of clinical guidance.

(vi) Documentation and Reporting

Maintain comprehensive documentation of clinical guidance development processes, committee activities, and guidance updates, ensuring transparency and accountability in the guidance development and maintenance process.

[What we are looking for]

Qualifications and Skills

• •A degree in medicine, pharmacy, public health, biological sciences, healthcare, or a related field.
• •Relevant experience in a related field would be an advantage.

Key Competencies Required

Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to coordinate committee activities and manage guidance development processes.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders and subject matter experts.

Familiarity with evidence-based medicine, clinical guidance development methodologies, and public health principles

Proactive and detail-oriented, with the ability to conduct thorough needs assessments and horizon scanning activities to inform clinical guidance development.

Additional Information

This position reports to the Assistant Director and requires a commitment to upholding the mission and values of the organisation, with a focus on advancing public health through the development and maintenance of high-quality clinical guidance related to communicable diseases.

As part of the shortlisting process for this role, candidates may be required to complete a medical declaration and/or undergo further assessment.