Head Of Alcohol And Other Drugs

At North Richmond Community Health (NRCH) we are proud to deliver courageous health and community services that collaboratively address health inequity. We nurture a workforce that is passionate and diverse, with shared values and a strong commitment to improving health and wellbeing outcomes through a social determinants of healthcare model within the heart of North Richmond. With access to a variety of flexible work arrangements, health and wellbeing activities and a rich learning environment, our team members are consistently able to deepen their expertise by being part of impactful and world recognised community health solutions.

NRCH, in collaboration with North Richmond Health partners, is the operator of Victoria’s only Medically Supervised Injecting Room (the MSIR). The MSIR is an anonymous service that provides a setting for supervised injecting, on-site clinical services as well as access to a range of health and social support services. The MSIR reduces overdose deaths and non-fatal overdose-related harms, reduces ambulance attendances and emergency department presentations related to overdose, assists in reducing the spread of blood-borne diseases including HIV and hepatitis C and provides a gateway to health services including mental health and drug treatment services.

• Full-time Permanent, ongoing executive role
• Unique AOD environment
• Generous salary packaging options

About the role

The Head of AOD is responsible for the strategic and operational leadership of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) and the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) Programs with strong strategic partnerships, cross-governmental relationships, and clinical excellence. The role is also responsible for understanding and influencing public policy, and may include a spokesperson role involving media engagement, in addition to engaging in public advocacy, training and education.

In this diverse and exciting role, you will lead a multidisciplinary team to coordinate a comprehensive range of nursing and harm reduction support services for vulnerable community members whilst fostering NRCH’s deep connection and engagement with the North Richmond community.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), and working closely with the Chief Nurse and medical Director, the Head of AOD is a pivotal role in line with NRCH’s strategic priority to establish the organisation as a safe and innovative place for harm reduction and addiction services.

Key responsibilities:

• Organisational Leadership:

• Lead with a contemporary leadership style which enables the skills and expertise of all members of staff and community and drives the enhancement and innovation of NRCH

• Foster a collaborative culture that leverages the strengths of a multi-disciplinary staff approach

• Organisational Management:

• Ensure that safe, high-quality care is delivered in accordance with contemporary standards of clinical practice and NRCH’s values and objectives

• Staff management, including strategic workforce planning, provision of effective training and health and safety

• Financial Management, including accountability for MSIR and AOD annual budgets

• Strategic thinking and implementation:

• Development of operational plans to achieve the current organisational strategic plan

• Foster social inclusion and client participation in the operation of all programs

• Lead and drive client services to ensure a holistic approach to client wellbeing, service integration and care coordination

• Governance, risk and compliance, including monitoring compliance with the MSIR license and Internal Management Protocols

• Partnerships and Stakeholder Management:

• Develop and foster strategic partnerships with external services to ensure appropriate supports and referral pathways

• Represent NRCH at community forums, functions and with other organisations

• Delivering results (Evaluation and Research):

• Collaborate strongly with NRCH research and evaluation unit and external research partners

• Lead information management and all quality, safety and compliance activities

About you

In addition to your extensive knowledge of the AOD sector, you bring experience in managing high-profile and complex healthcare services and a sound understanding of health systems and governance structures.

You excel at effectively managing the competing demands of diverse internal and external stakeholders, and you enjoy using your relationship-building skills to influence outcomes in all spheres, including strategy, operations and policy.

You work well in complex environments and can operate in ambiguity, demonstrating resilience in the face of unique challenges.

You are solutions-orientated, an articulate communicator and are skilled at prioritising tasks and analysing information from a variety of sources to inform strong decision making.

You are community-focused, driven by a commitment to making a meaningful impact within a values-led organisation that supports those that experience disadvantage.

Further Information

For enquiries relating to this position, contact workforus@nrch.com.au

Closing Date: 2 January 2025