Advisor – Evidence to Practice (Melbourne)

Are you an evidence and implementation champion wanting to make a real difference in child, youth and family services? Do you have demonstrated experience bringing evidence-informed interventions into practice and in using your clinical knowledge and  interpersonal skills to build capability in other professionals?

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 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 the delivery of implementation strategies within a portfolio of CEI projects with government and community services. You will assist in 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 Principal 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

• Write evidence-informed practice frameworks and guides that are fit-for-purpose and context.
• Analyse and synthesise evidence of what works in relevant sectors, including academic research, practitioner expertise, and lived experience.
• Co-design of evidence-informed practice resources.
• Trial and test practice resources with key stakeholders and partners to ensure appropriateness and suitability.

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

• Design and deliver high-quality training in face-to-face and online formats (may require regional travel).

• Provide support to practitioners through coaching, field observation and review.
• Build the capability of agency staff 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.
• Keep up to date with implementation science literature and apply insights to implementation practice.

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

• Facilitate workshops, seminars and other activities to build the capability 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 design and delivery.
• Provide evidence-informed implementation advice to clients and key stakeholders.

Project management support

• Take the role of assistant project manager for selected projects, e.g. taking responsibility for developing project plans and coordinating project tasks; contributing to running team meetings; liaising with the project manager and project partners, and other project administrative duties.

• Support project delivery by undertaking activities to a high standard and in a timely fashion, including:
  • Coordinating and scheduling meetings and events.
  • Preparing high-quality written reports.
  • Preparing and delivering high-quality presentations (e.g. to service sector or partners, or at conferences).
  • Preparing material for CEI publications (e.g. website, newsletters).
  • Developing program logics/theories of change for evidence-informed programs.

Business development and stakeholder relationships

• Contribute to the preparation of competitive tenders, project proposals and grant submissions.

• Support the development and maintenance of strong stakeholder relationships.

Internal operations and other duties, as required

• 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 professional experience in a relevant sector, and willingness to quickly develop knowledge in other sectors. Relevant sectors include child welfare, parenting and families, mental health, justice, and Aboriginal social-emotional wellbeing.
• Demonstrated clinical experience in family therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy, parenting interventions or other evidence-informed therapeutic approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to use clinical knowledge and skills to build capability of other professionals.
• Experience in the design of evidence-informed practices, programs, or interventions in relevant sectors.
• Experience supporting the implementation of evidence-informed practices, programs, or interventions into a service delivery context (e.g. through training and coaching frontline staff).
• High-level verbal communication skills for delivering training, facilitating interactive workshops, and communicating with project partners.
• High-level written communication skills for preparing high-quality documents for a range of audiences (e.g. practitioners, policymakers, academics).
• Excellent interpersonal skills for collaborating and engaging with a wide range of professionals, clients and colleagues.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Capability to work in a fast-paced environment, while managing time and competing demands.
• Ability and willingness to travel within Victoria.

Desirable attributes

• AHPRA registration as a Psychologist, or AASW membership as a Social Worker.

• Familiarity with the principles and practices of implementation science.

• Knowledge of empirical research and current issues relating to child maltreatment, parenting, family violence and/or related fields.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation for programs, practices and interventions.
• Experience working in or with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Qualifications / accreditations

• Postgraduate degree in Psychology, Social Work, or related disciplines.

Diversity and inclusion at CEI

Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to CEI’s work. We are driven to improve outcomes for communities facing adversity through leveraging the best available evidence.

We actively seek and welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, and with lived experience of the social issues our work addresses and in the communities we aim to serve. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

How do I apply?

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

Download the role description HERE

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

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.