Director in Sydney

The Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) is the largest paediatric health care entity in Australia. We care for thousands of children each year in our hospitals and in their homes — with one purpose in mind — to help young people live their healthiest lives.

NCIRS is the leading body in Australia that provides objective expert advice on all aspects of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), vaccines, and other issues related to immunisation, to inform policy and planning for immunisation services in Australia and to support initiatives in the control of VPDs across the whole life-course. NCIRS also has a growing Global Health program that works to support countries, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region, on their immunisation system strengthening efforts. This work is funded through agreements with the Australian and New South Wales governments, including the Australian Centre for Disease Control, as well as other funding agencies.

Based at The Children’s Hospital Westmead, the NCIRS Director is the senior leadership position responsible for providing all scientific, strategic, financial and operational performance direction and oversight for the Centre. The Director provides national leadership in assessing and advising on the risks from and control of vaccine-preventable diseases to a diverse array of key stakeholders and funders. Together with the NCIRS executive leadership team, the Director is responsible for ensuring the delivery of NCIRS work under its strategic objectives to ensure nationally and internationally significant research, surveillance, policy support and advisory functions on the use of vaccines in Australia and globally.

The Director fosters ongoing strategic relationships with government agencies, funding bodies, universities, international multi-lateral organisations and other key partners. The role ensures optimal organisational performance, strengthens strategic partnerships and supports the long-term sustainability and national and international impact of NCIRS, leveraging upon and furthering the skills of the Centre’s multi-disciplinary team of over 120 individuals.

A conjoint academic appointment/s at affiliated Universities of SCHN is supported and potential for clinical appointment (subject to qualifications) exists. On-call duties occur, in the form of NCIRS national and international engagements, as does leadership of and participation in review and improvement activities, as well as training and education of staff.

• Eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist (for example as a public health, physician or paediatric specialist), and/or overseas trained specialist pathways.
• Extensive demonstrated public health, clinical and research expertise, particularly experience in evaluation and deployment of vaccines and in the control of vaccine preventable diseases, across national and international contexts.
• Possess professional authority and credibility, and demonstrate astute judgement and awareness to promote and manage key relationships and collaboration in communicable diseases control.
• Demonstrated effective and respected communication skills, and highly recognised information technology use, written, verbal and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment and experience in research, teaching, continuing education and quality improvement in the field of vaccine-preventable diseases.
• Strong track record of effectively leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver complex evidence-based public health advice, services and research.
• Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership, aligning people, resources, business processes and financial stewardship to deliver objectives and sustainable performance.
• Availability to participate in on-call activities related to NCIRS portfolio of work.