Research Officer – Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Services

Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service (WWHS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that prides itself on delivering a range of health services to the community in a style and manner that makes clients feel welcome and comfortable.

WWHS operates a range of clinics and provides a range of primary health care and other services which include our Main Clinic (acute and general care), Gudbinji Chronic Disease Clinic, Binjari Health Centre, Women and Children’s Health, Men’s Health and a Dental Clinic.

We also deliver Community Service programs which aim to achieve better outcomes in early intervention, treatment, and management through an integrated approach in a primary health care setting like our Alcohol and Other Drugs Program, Social and Emotional Wellbeing program, Katherine Individual Support Program, and our Strong Indigenous Families program.

As well as providing Clinical and Community Services WWHS also provides Professional Development and Training, as well as Corporate Services being: Human Resources, Finance, Infrastructure, Work Health and Safety, Compliance and Administration Support.

The role of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing Research Officer – Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Services will support the ongoing work and development of the Community Services Programs strengthening clinical and community services concerning effective, evidence-based social and emotional wellbeing support in relation to suicide prevention and aftercare services across the Katherine region and within Wurli-Wurlinjang Health Service.

This role requires a good knowledge of the regional context and local communities, problem-solving, critical and analytical thinking as well as a high degree of emotional intelligence, active listening skills, initiative and adaptability, as well as proven effective verbal and written communication skills across community and organisation sectors while working as a part of a research and evaluation team.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications / Prerequisites:

• An understanding of the factors that contribute to and the impact of suicide on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the Northern Territory

• Experience working with individuals, groups and communities in the NT

• Demonstrate understanding of trauma-informed research and evaluation processes and practices

• Demonstrate knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing frameworks and an ability to effectively engage with individuals, groups and communities bereaved and/or impacted through suicide and/or grief, loss, and trauma

• Demonstrated writing ability including experience with preparing submissions, reports, proposals, briefings and other written or graphic content

• Demonstrated research, monitoring and evaluation skills.

• Ability to work both independently and within a team.

• National Police Records Check and Working with Children’s Clearance

• Current Northern Territory Driver’s License

• Position Description – Social and Emotional Wellbeing Research Officer – Suicide Prevention and Aftercare Services

Desirable:

• Evidence of professional development and examples of the application of Aboriginal Mental Health First AID (AMHFAT), Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), Suicide Story, Trauma-informed practice and/or narrative training.

• Experience in participatory research and evaluation together with narrative inquiry (yarning) methods would be an advantage.

In return for your hard work and dedication, you'll receive an attractive salary based on your experience and any other professional development undertaken in specialised areas of primary health care, plus superannuation.

A fantastic range of further benefits include:

• Salary sacrificing options.

• Generous leave entitlements (6 weeks annual leave, 15 days personal leave, 1-week special leave, study leave).

• Relocation assistance and a short-term accommodation allowance is available for eligible applicants to help you get settled.

• Strong focus on professional development.

Position available until 30th of June 2028

To apply for an opportunity to join us, please visit:  https://www.wurli.org.au/job-vacancies/ and select the 'positions vacant tab'.  

You will be able to view a full position profile and other details required to submit your application.