Community and consumer consultation is a core principle of NHMRC and underpins all aspects of its operations.
NHMRC is establishing a new Community and Consumer Advisory Group (CCAG). The CCAG will provide timely, high level, strategic advice to the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), including its Council and Principal Committees, on health matters and on health and medical research matters from a consumer and community perspective.
The CCAG will:
- provide a community voice and perspective on major issues being considered by NHMRC
- provide strategic advice on consumer and community engagement for NHMRC, and
- work with NHMRC to anticipate the potential impacts of NHMRC advice or decisions on consumers and communities
- provide an opportunity for NHMRC to access a wide network of the community and health consumers.
Collectively, the CCAG will represent a comprehensive and informed understanding of the perspectives and dynamics of the community and health consumers. It will bring to its advice to NHMRC a strong awareness of the community and consumer issues associated with the creation and use of health and medical research and the role of research evidence in improving health.
The agenda of the CCAG will be determined by the needs of NHMRC CEO, Council and Principal Committees. Advice will most often be sought electronically, with teleconferences and occasional face-to-face meetings. The CCAG will not be asked to focus on any particular conditions or interventions.
Membership
The CCAG will be a Working Committee established under Section 39 of the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 (the NHMRC Act). It will comprise consumer and community leaders. The advice of the CCAG will be in addition to the advice and expertise of community and consumer representatives on Council of NHMRC and its Principal Committees.
Members may be eligible for remuneration for their contribution to the CCAG, as determined by the Remuneration Tribunal and the NHMRC Act.
Appointments are expected to be made in March 2013 and members will be provided with a full induction. The term of office will be until 30 June 2015.
Appointment Process
To apply, individuals must submit
- a CV
- information addressing the criteria for appointment (see below)
- contact information for 2 referees
Applications can be emailed to triennium.2012-15@nhmrc.gov.au or posted to:
Community and Consumer Advisory Group
Strategic Communications Section
GPO Box 1421
CANBERRA ACT 2600
Applications close 5pm AEDST Friday 22 February 2013.
They will be considered by a panel which will include members of NHMRC Council. The Chief Executive Officer of NHMRC will appoint the Chair and members of the CCAG.
Successful applicants will be asked to declare any financial or personal interests before appointment as required by the National Health and Medical Research Council Act 1992 and NHMRC’s policies on Identifying and Managing Conflicts of Interest. Declarations of interests will be published on the NHMRC website.
Criteria for Appointment
Members will have:
- experience and skills that will allow them to advise NHMRC on the community and consumer issues associated with the creation and use of health and medical research and the role of research evidence in improving health.
- links to established community entities or have a constituency with whom they can consult and communicate
- the ability to reflect interests broader than those of a specific group, and
- the ability to demonstrate good health literacy skills.
Accredited qualifications relevant to consumer and community leadership are highly desirable.