Senior Community Engagement Officer (Identified s25)

The University of Queensland; Rockhampton Regional; On-site; AUD 97,000 - 104,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Queensland’s UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health in Rockhampton is seeking a Senior Community Engagement Officer on a full- or part-time basis (80–100%), fixed-term up to 2 years.

You will lead communications and community engagement activities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, healthcare organisations and research partners, translating complex findings into accessible health messages and coordinating co-design with local partners.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in research translation or stakeholder engagement, together with experience in healthcare delivery or a health research services environment.
• Successfully delivered communication outcomes across online services, publications and stakeholder engagement activities.
• The capacity to undertake significant travel between community locations and to the Brisbane office.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate the co-design and implementation of interventions with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and community coalitions in alignment with the RISE research protocol.
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, community organisations, healthcare workers, research partners and other stakeholders across Central Queensland.
• Develop accessible written and visual content for websites, brochures, newsletters, social media and other community-facing publications, translating complex research evidence into clear and relevant health messages.
• Support stakeholder and consumer events, respond to requests for information, and help maintain strategic relationships with organisations involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and STI communication.

Skills

Community engagement

Stakeholder engagement

Health communications

Content development

Job description

UQ Poche Centre for Indigenous Health

Full-time or part-time (80% to 100%), fixed-term position for up to 2 years. Base salary will be in the range $97,269 to $104,349 + 17% super (HEW Level 6). This position is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates only, as a genuine occupational requirement given the role's focus on building trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and supporting culturally informed research activities. Based at our Rockhampton location.

Acknowledgement of Country The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ operates. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country. We recognise their valuable contributions to Australian and global society.

About This Opportunity

The Senior Community Engagement Officer will provide essential communications and community engagement support to the RISE research program, which is applying a precision public health approach to help eliminate curable sexually transmitted infections and improve STI management in Central Queensland. Working within a close-knit and supportive team across Rockhampton, Brisbane and Cairns, you will collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, health services and community partners to strengthen research impact and create purposeful, community-led change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and students within the UQ Poche Centre meet monthly to connect, share information and opportunities, and progress work that supports unity, cultural leadership and empowerment. The group helps embed cultural integrity across the Centre’s operations and supports research conducted in accordance with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ethical research principles.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Coordinate and facilitate the co-design and implementation of interventions with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations and community coalitions in alignment with the RISE research protocol.
• Build trusted relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, community organisations, healthcare workers, research partners and other stakeholders across Central Queensland.
• Develop accessible written and visual content for websites, brochures, newsletters, social media and other community-facing publications, translating complex research evidence into clear and relevant health messages.
• Support stakeholder and consumer events, respond to requests for information, and help maintain strategic relationships with organisations involved in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and STI communication.

About You

• The University of Queensland considers that to perform this role, it is essential that the person is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. It is therefore a genuine occupational requirement under section 25 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld). The successful candidate will be required to provide evidence to confirm that they are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
• Demonstrated experience in research translation or stakeholder engagement, together with experience in healthcare delivery or a health research services environment.
• Successfully delivered communication outcomes across online services, publications and stakeholder engagement activities.
• The capacity to undertake significant travel between community locations, which may involve travel for two to three days each week, as well as regular travel to the Brisbane office. A vehicle will be provided for approved community travel.

About UQ

As part of the UQ community, you will work alongside bright minds from around the world, united by a shared commitment to creating a better world. Excellence is at the core of our culture, contributions are valued, and staff are supported through a wide range of benefits, including up to 26 weeks paid parental and primary care leave, 17% superannuation, 17.5% leave loading, flexible and hybrid working options, health and wellbeing programs, a heavily discounted Study for Staff program, on‑campus childcare, affordable parking, salary packaging, and cultural leave. UQ is committed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ learning, discovery and engagement, and to playing a leading role in reconciliation in Australia. Guided by our Strategic Plan, Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Strategy, we work in partnership with communities to embed reconciliation across our operations. You will be supported to connect with vibrant staff networks, including the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network, and your cultural identity will be respected, valued and embraced.

We’re dedicated to equity, diversity and inclusion. We recognise that career pathways and opportunities differ, and encourage applications from candidates who may not meet every criterion but can demonstrate their potential relative to opportunity. We’re also happy to support any accessibility needs throughout the recruitment process. Just let us know how we can help by emailing [e-mail] or calling [phone].

Other Information: Pre-employment checks may include verification of the right to work in Australia, criminal history checks and mandatory immunisations. This may also include checks relating to gender-based violence matters or other integrity and conduct requirements. You must maintain unrestricted work rights in Australia for the duration of this appointment to apply. Employer-sponsored work rights are not available for this appointment.

Applications close Sunday 15th November 2026 at 11.00pm AEST (R-69996).

Please note that interviews have been tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 18th November 2026.

The University of Queensland (UQ) acknowledges the Traditional Owners and their custodianship of the lands on which UQ is situated. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.