The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals. These goals are to: maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it protect the Antarctic environment understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance. The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands. The People and Culture Branch is crucial in supporting our workforce and fostering a positive organisational culture. It is instrumental in leading the division's cultural transformation initiative, as outlined in Leigh Russell's 2023 independent review of our workplace culture. Through implementing our cultural change program, we are affecting substantial shifts in our operational approaches to ensure the safety and inclusivity of our workplaces for all employees. The branch places significant emphasis on providing comprehensive support for expeditioners, encompassing recruitment, onboarding, training, performance management, as well as medical and organisational psychological services, and offboarding. Additionally, the branch delivers essential divisional services spanning media, communication, risk management, and business continuity. The AAD remains steadfast in its commitment to cultivating a positive, inclusive culture that promotes diversity and equity. The Organisational Psychology section is responsible for delivering a suite of organisational psychology services to support the wellbeing and performance of participants in the Australian Antarctic Program (referred to as expeditioners). These services include but are not limited to psychological (adaptability) assessments to inform suitability to participate in the program, end-of-season psychological debriefs to support post deployment transition, delivery of psychoeducation resources, presentations and training activities across the expeditioner life cycle, and provision of expert advice and professional opinion to inform program delivery. The section is also responsible for delivering the Australian Antarctic Program Family & Friends liaison service. The section does not provide individual clinical support to expeditioners - individual clinical support is provided through AAD's Polar Medicine Unit and the department's Employee Assistance Program. The key duties of the position include Conduct and review psychological (adaptability) assessments to inform suitability for participation in the Australian Antarctic Program. Conduct end-of-season psychological debriefs to support post deployment transition. Contribute to Work, Health & Safety activities, with a particular focus on psychosocial safety. Develop and deliver psychoeducational resources, presentations and training activities. Provide professional advice and support to key stakeholders (including station leaders) in managing individual/team wellbeing and performance. Participate in and provide professional advice to the AAD's Incident Management Team (including delivery of Critical Incident Mental Health Support). Participate in expeditioner recruitment and selection activities (including assessment centres). Support delivery of the Australian Antarctic Program's Family & Friends liaison service. Undertake and support research and evaluation activities. For detailed information about the job-specific capabilities for this role, please view the Job Description which can be downloaded from our website - the Apply Now link will take you there.
