Current Public Health Vacancies

Tēnā Tātou Katoa o te Māori Caucus PHANZ,                                                    

He Pānui - A call for nominations

We are currently seeking nominations for 2 interim representatives of Māori Caucus to the Executive Council of the PHANZ.

These 2 interim representatives will sit on PHANZ Executive Council until this year’s PHANZ AGM in September at which point the annual election will be held again for the Māori Caucus representatives for the next 2 years, 2019-2021.

Please consider carefully and nominate candidates who would be active in representing and advocating for Māori needs and issues on PHANZ Council.

We have an expectation that anyone interested in these positions will have the capacity (time and strategic) and commitment to actively engage and participate in both Māori Caucus and Executive Council.

• Meetings for PHANZ Council are 2-3 face to face all day hui a year plus AGM and zoom meetings as required.
• Māori Caucus hui are currently bi-monthly.

Māori Caucus has been in a rebuilding phase and we are enjoying positive momentum going into the second half of this year. We need to have strong Māori representatives on Council who can support council decision making, liaise and communicate clearly between Council and Caucus, and are dedicated to promoting Māori Public Health, Te Āo Māori and Te Tiriti perspectives and action on behalf of the Caucus.

If this sounds like you or someone you know then get on to it!!!

NB: For simplicity and transparency in this instance we are using a process similar to the PHANZ general elections.

• Nominations to be made by 5pm June 13^th. Please send all nominations via email to elections registrar Alyssa at PHA@pha.org.nz. Nominations to be accompanied by a 100 word bio/pitch by the nominees.
• If there are more than 2 nominations there will be an election.
• In which case nominee bios will be circulated after nominations close after 5pm on the 13th of June for consideration by the wider voting Māori Caucus membership.
• To be eligible to vote you must be a financial PHANZ member.
• Votes will be taken by an online voting form which will be available from 9am on the 14^th of June until 5pm on June 26^th.
• Results will be announced at the June 27^th hui

Ngā mihi mahana

Emma Rawson - Acting Chair, Māori Caucus and PHANZ Kaumatua Pita Pou

Any questions please contact Alyssa pha@pha.org.nz

Zero Carbon Bill is critical legislation for health, but targets are too little, too late

Health professionals have offered a mixed response to today’s release of the Zero Carbon Bill.

They applaud its purpose to prevent global warming of more than 1.5 degrees, but say aspects of the Bill lack the necessary urgency and accountability.

“The Bill’s targets as they stand today would be too little, too late,” says Dr Rhys Jones, Coconvenor of OraTaiao: NZ Climate and Health Council.

“The Zero Carbon Bill is too weak on agricultural emissions which comprise almost half of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions. We need to see a move away from beef and dairy for both the sake of human and planetary health,” says Dr Jones.

The Zero Carbon Bill sets a target of 10 per cent reduction in biological methane emissions by 2030, and aims for a provisional reduction ranging from 24 per cent to 47 per cent by 2050.

“Our food production systems are threatening local ecosystems and contributing to climate change, while unhealthy diets are a significant contributor to major health problems such as heart disease, diabetes and cancers. But on the other hand, a rapid transition to a healthy plant-based food system could go a long way to addressing major health issues including obesity, heart disease and protecting our drinking water.”

Dr Jones was speaking from the 2nd Sustainable Healthcare Forum in Wellington today where leaders from a range of sectors gathered to share ideas about reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the health sector. Forum participants have called on the Government to set greenhouse gas emission targets for District Health Boards.

“Health professionals are extremely concerned about the impacts of climate change on the health of people and communities. At the same time, we are excited about the health opportunities that well-designed climate action can bring,” says Dr Jones.

“A strong Zero Carbon Bill that emphasises fairness and upholds Te Tiriti o Waitangi is critical for a healthy future for New Zealanders.”

ENDS

Media Spokesperson: Dr Rhys Jones, 021 411 743

Dr Rhys Jones (Ngāti Kahungunu) (rg.jones@auckland.ac.nz) is a Public Health Physician and Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland, and Co-convenor of OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate and Health Council.

OraTaiao: The New Zealand Climate & Health Council is a health professional organisation urgently focusing on the health threats of climate change and the health opportunities of climate action. See: www.orataiao.org.nz

Notes to editors:

About Climate Change and Health

Information is available in the following paper from the 2014 NZ Medical Journal: ‘Health and equity impacts of climate change in Aotearoa-New Zealand, and health gains from climate action’. http://www.nzma.org.nz/journal/read-the-journal/all-issues/2010-2019/2014/vol-127-no-1406/6366

Health threats from climate changes include: worsening illness and injury from heat and other extreme weather, changing patterns of infection including food poisoning, loss of seafood and farming livelihoods, food price rises and mass migration from the Pacific. Those on low incomes, Māori, Pacific people, children and older people will be hit first and hardest, but nobody will be immune to the widespread health and social threats of unchecked climate change. Direct and indirect climate change impacts are already being seen here from warming oceans and sea level rise.

Health opportunities from reducing greenhouse gas emissions, easing pressure on health budgets include: rapidly phasing out coal; switching from car trips to more walking, cycling and public transport; healthier diets lower in red meat and dairy; and energy efficient, warm homes will all cut emissions while also reducing the diseases that kill New Zealanders most and put our children in hospital – cancer, heart disease, lung diseases and car crash injuries.

Public Health Association of New Zealand is looking for a Policy Advisor- Māori

Summary of your role

As the Policy Advisor - Māori, you will be responsible for leading all aspects of PHA policy development, submission development and policy communications with our members. You will be a strong leader with influential communication skills, providing then helping others understand and apply a Treaty “lens” to all PHA’s policy development and analysis. Your primary working relationships will be with national office staff, the Policy Working Group, policy stakeholders, and PHA members. As part of a policy and communications team, you will manage PHA’s policy statement development process and coordinate the Policy Working Group.

As a vital part of our team, you’ll work with us to develop collaborative efforts toward evidence-informed submissions that will support our members and stakeholders in advocating for better health outcomes and health equity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

At PHA we are well on our way in ngā rerenga Tiriti o Waitangi. We have a Kaumātua, a high number of Māori on our Council and a Māori Caucus of members. You will work with all our staff and members to up the game on Treaty advocacy and learning. You will be encouraged to support the office with reo skills and knowledge of tikanga in our work and in our office culture. You will bring with you strong networks that span Māori health professionals, promoters and Māori community leaders.

You will be accountable for the work you do and contribute positively to future outcomes for the association and public health in New Zealand.

We are looking for someone who

• Has a passion for policy analysis and development, ideally in public health
• Shows respect for, and has an interest in, Māori history and traditions, including use and pronunciation of Te Reo Māori
• Is comfortable in situations where tikanga is observed and shows leadership in asserting its importance
• Understands the importance of the Treaty of Waitangi for policy analysis and development
• Can work in a small team to be responsive to policy initiatives and democratic processes in often very short time frames
• Has experience with content development, design, editing and publishing effective information resources, ideally for advocacy and health promotion campaigns

Terms and conditions

This is a part- time (45 hours per fortnight) fixed term position.

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience

Position description available here 

Further information and applications: Dr Prudence Stone prudence@pha.org.nz

Closing date: Please send your application, including a full CV, no later than May 31, 5pm.

Hutt Valley DHB is looking for a Senior Public Health Analyst (Mixed Methods) 

About the service

Regional Public Health is one of the three larger public health units in New Zealand and as such often takes on a national leadership role. RPH provides public health services to the greater Wellington region, including Wairarapa (population of approximately 515,000).

You must have permanent residency or a valid long term working visa to be considered for this position.

About the role

Are you an experienced Senior Public Health Analyst with a passion for improving the health of our population? Then we have the role for you!

As our Senior Public Health Analyst (Mixed Methods) you will have excellent analytical skills, the ability to scope, design and execute projects and enjoy working alongside Public Health Practitioners, Senior Managers and fellow Public Health Analysts and external stakeholders.

You will be comfortable leading and supporting research, evaluation and analysis work from the very simple to the very complex.

A preference and aptitude for teamwork is essential, as is experience with mentoring and supporting others to develop their skills. You will also need to be a polished written and oral communicator that presents your work in crisp and simple language adapted to the needs of a variety of audiences.

Improving Maori health outcomes and reducing inequities are key priorities therefore commitment to improving health equity and experience in analysis and presentation of data that is accessible and relevant to Maori, is desirable.

Key accountabilities and outcomes:

·        Assist in leading the planning, development and delivery of a comprehensive work programme to produce high quality public health intelligence, that informs the targeting of RPH programmes/services

·        Be a professional lead for RPH in evaluation design, survey design and analysis, health needs assessment, and outcomes logic modelling, evaluation, and qualitative analysis

·        Lead and carry out a variety of evaluation projects over a wide range of topics, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative methods and data analysis

Skills and experience:

·        Post graduate qualifications in Public Health or similar, or equivalent extensive skills, experience and demonstrated competency in public health

·        Competent in a range of evaluation approaches, and ability to design evaluation to match the situation e.g. evaluating small community projects or RPH wide evaluations

·        Good understanding of epidemiology, statistical concepts and quantitative analysis

Benefits

We offer a supportive workplace culture with a commitment to your on-going professional development. This includes; a comprehensive orientation programme, training and study opportunities, and peer support.

Staff benefits include discounts from many companies throughout the region, and use of our onsite gym.

How to apply

Please complete an online HVDHB application form by clicking the 'apply now' button or through our careers website: www.healthyjobs.co.nz Please note: We are unable to accept applications via email.

For further information on this role, please email tara.d'sousa@huttvalleydhb.org.nz and indicate the vacancy number 9111945-19 and job title in the subject line.

This is a part-time position for 32 hours per week. The days and hours are negotiable.

Applications close Friday, 17 May 2019.