The primary purpose of the role of Principal Advisor (Psychological Health) is to design, develop and implement initiatives, programs and projects to support the effective regulation of psychosocial hazards at work in Queensland and that promotes thriving workplaces across Queensland.

As a Principal Advisor, you will be expected to work closely and effectively with internal and external stakeholders to support across the spectrum of regulatory compliance. This role may pivot between internal (e.g. Compliance Field Services), and external Ie.g. industry facing) foci dependent on organisational and strategic needs.

This position contributes to the recommendations from the Best Practice Review of Workplace Health and Safety Queensland

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide professional and expert advice as an authority in specialised field of expertise to identify current and emerging risks and trends across the psychological health continuum, including an understanding of how this applies in relation to Queensland WHS regulatory landscape.
• Conduct rigorous analysis and apply contemporary specialist body of knowledge for psychosocial risk and psychological health and safety to influence meaningful outcomes, such as reductions in the incidence and severity of psychological and physical work-related injury, illness and disease.
• Contribute professional expertise to the development of legislation, standards, guidance materials, operational policies and procedures in relation to psychological health and safety and psychosocial hazards.
• Effectively partner with operational and field teams to facilitate the provision of specialist support to complex work interventions, building capability across teams and the development and delivery of tactical activities.
• Provide advice on and participate in work incidents and complaints related to psychosocial hazards in accordance with operational policies and procedures.
• Participate in investigations and prosecution and develop towards becoming an expert witness in area of expertise.
• Represent OIR effectively at all levels including on specialist national, state and industry committees and forums as required, including the participation in Communities of Practice or Reference Groups.
• Prepare appropriate written documentation including reports, briefing notes, discussion papers, options papers, departmental and other correspondence in accordance with departmental standards and to set timeframes.
• Develop and deliver education and training programs for OIR staff and external stakeholders, and evaluate programs to ensure adequate skills, competencies and standards are attained.
• Assist the Director and Chief Advisors to manage unit work demands, ensure prioritisation of effort is aligned with the team, department strategy and workplans and adapt to changing organisational needs. Exercise professional judgement using critical and systems thinking to identify opportunities, make recommendations and implement improvements to all processes, systems and work practices.
• Work autonomously within the direction of PHU line and executive management within this complex, emerging area to drive focus on meaningful outcomes using evidence based and informed principles and that is aligned to state, national (e.g. SWA, HWSA) and international (e.g. WHO, ILO) frameworks.
• Maintain knowledge currency across spectrum of psychological health and safety and psychosocial hazards through participation in professional bodies, industry forums and stakeholder engagement for dissemination of information across OIR as appropriate.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference:  QLD/503869/23

Closing Date:  Monday, 14th August 2023