Dear Applicant, Thank you for your interest in the Research Officer position with CanTeen, in our National Office, based in Sydney CBD. CanTeen supports young people when cancer turns their world upside down and helps them cope with the physical, emotional and practical impact of living with cancer. We provide specialist hospital care, counselling and individual assistance as well as information and peer support programs for 12-24 year olds affected by cancer. Primarily the successful candidate will be working on the following projects: 1. Distress Thermometer Validation: Adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer frequently experience elevated levels of distress, and screening is needed to identify those in need of additional psychosocial support. Distress screening tools need to have good validity, ease of use, and high acceptability amongst patients and clinicians to maximise their usefulness. While the Distress Thermometer and Problem Checklist (DT/PCL) is a widely used screening tool it has not yet been validated for use with AYAs. This study will provide important validation information for screening distress among AYA cancer patients and survivors. Additionally it will provide information to enable the effective use of screening tools and provide a greater understanding of the predictors of distress amongst this population. 2. TRUCE: is an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) skills based group program, designed for young people (aged 14-22 years) who have a parent or caregiver with cancer who has been diagnosed within the last 5 years. Using the K-10, our research has found that 61% of young people who have a parent living with cancer placed in the high or very high range for distress compared with 9% for the general population of the same age. TRUCE aims to help these young people deal with difficult thoughts and feelings, better communicate with others (especially their family) and improve how they feel about their situation. It is conducted face-to-face and held over 7 weeks. One parent or caregiver will also be involved in some parts of the program; and will receive a psycho-educational booklet and attend one combined session for parents/ caregivers and young people. For more information on CanTeen’s research work and how it impacts young people affected by cancer, please see the following link www.canteenresearch.org.au. This position is for 3 days a week for 28 months. The base salary will be commensurate with the skills and experience of the successful candidate. In addition to the base salary, you will receive superannuation of 9.25%, annual leave loading and a tax benefit offered within the not-for-profit industry (called Salary Sacrificing). Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the below Essential Criteria;           Honours degree or 4th year equivalent in psychology, social or behavioural sciences. Experience in running research projects. Demonstrated ability to design and conduct quantitative and qualitative research. Demonstrated project management experience and organisational skills. Demonstrated experience to establish and maintain relationships both internally and externally. Demonstrated experience undertaking literature reviews and maintaining bibliographic databases. Demonstrated ability to produce high quality written material such as journal articles and conference paper, and the ability to write in an easily understood style and format. Demonstrated ability to analyse data and present in a meaningful way using text, tables and graphics. Demonstrated ability to translate research into practice. Computer literacy, especially in MS Office and SPSS (or similar statistical package).   Postgraduate qualification in psychology, social sciences, public health, health sciences or related field. (Desirable) Experience working with young people. (Desirable) Child Protection legislation requires individuals working in child-related organisations to have relevant policeand working with children checks, as well as reference checks conducted on recommended applicants. It is against the law for prohibited persons to apply for positions where they may come into direct unsupervised contact with children and young persons. The nature of CanTeen’s business means that there is direct contact with children and young people. Please email your written application, addressing the above criteria, together with your resume by Friday 28 November 2014 to careers@canteen.org.au. The preferred method of receiving applications is in electronic format as one complete document. If you require more information on CanTeen, please visit our website at www.canteen.org.au If you have any specific queries regarding this role, you can contact Pandora Patterson (General Manager, Research, Evaluation & Social Policy) on (02) 9007 0212. Title: Research Officer Reports To: Senior Research Officer Direct Reports: Nil Key Working Relationships: General Manager (Research, Evaluation and Social Policy), Evaluation Manager, Senior Research Officer, Division Managers, Youth Cancer Service, National Media and Communications Manager, CanTeen Members and key external stakeholders such as, hospital staff, NFP organisations and school staff. Working Hours: 3 days a week. Job Summary: This role entails managing varied research projects including validating a measure of psychological distress for use with young people diagnosed with cancer and evaluating an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) based intervention for young people who have a parent with cancer. Duties and Responsibilities Research  Liaising with internal (e.g., staff) and external (e.g., hospital, other NFP organizations, schools, research partners) stakeholders regarding ethics, promotion, recruitment, logistics, and data collection.  Literature reviews and maintaining a bibliographic database.  Managing ethics approval and reporting.  Data collection, including: preparing, organizing and distributing surveys; and overseeing and maintaining the organisation of the data collection process.  Participant recruitment.  Organising logistics (e.g., for facilitator training, travel arrangements, booking venues to run intervention groups).  Maintaining research partnerships and coordinate project meetings, including agenda and minutes.  Data analysis and write-up of results.  Preparation of conference presentations and journal articles.  Maintaining research partnerships and coordinating project meetings, including agenda and minutes. General You may also be required to undertake other duties as appropriate to a Research Officer and as requested by CanTeen. You will be required to meet with your manager regularly to discuss your progress and participate in staff development activities, including the performance appraisal and planning process. Key Performance Indicators  Contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based programs and services, in particular, distress screening and psychological skills-based support groups.  Undertake management of aspects of research projects and contribute to dissemination of results.  Undertake high quality quantitative and qualitative data analysis.  Contribute to high quality research reports and other deliverable.  Communicate research findings and represent CanTeen through participation in conferences, workshops, teleconferences and meetings.  Develop and maintain strong relationships with relevant external stakeholders.  Ensure that the CanTeen Values are promoted and applied within the workplace. Personal Attributes  Warm and approachable, ability to listen actively, friendly and professional.  High level of integrity, honesty and commitment.  Highly motivated, team player & ability to handle stressful situations.  Strong attention to detail and good initiative.  Adaptable to change.  Able to work autonomously.  Desire to work for CanTeen, affinity with our Mission, desire to work with young people. General Information All employees are required to adhere to CanTeen’s Human Resources Policies during the course of their employment. Pre-employment checks:  As CanTeen’s work involves employees being in direct contact with children and young people, employees are required to complete police and working with children checks, relevant to the State in which they will be employed.  CanTeen will conduct at least two reference checks on successful applicants, and will also require proof of any professional qualifications stated on an application.