Aboriginal Governance and Engagement
The Cancer Institute NSW would love to work with Aboriginal community members on various activities under the NSW Cancer Plan and the soon to be developed NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy.
Aboriginal leadership and engagement are critical to achieving meaningful and lasting improvements in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people. This is a key step in ensuring that decision making in Aboriginal cancer control activity is culturally safe, appropriate and improves cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people in NSW.
Aboriginal community members who do not work for a NSW Government agency will be paid according to the Cancer Institute NSW Payment of Honorariums policy.
You can express your interest to become involved in any of our three active committees or groups. These include:
- NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategic Partnerships and Performance Committee (ASPPC)
- Aboriginal Cancer Advisory Group (ACAG)
- Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
How to submit your Expression of Interest
Please send your Expression of Interest to the Aboriginal Program Team at AboriginalProgramCINSW-CINSW@o365groups.health.nsw.gov.au.
When you submit your Expression of Interest, ensure you include your answers to the following questions:
- What Committee/Group you would like to apply for?
- Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person? (All positions are identified under Section 14d of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act 1977).
- Do you have experience with cancer as a patient, health worker, carer, family member of someone with cancer, or an interest in improving the experience of Aboriginal people with cancer, their carers' and families?
- Do you have technology to support online meetings and able to attend in person, if needed? (Cancer Institute NSW will provide all travel and accommodation to Sydney, if required).
- Can you supply a small biography or CV about your previous experience?
How you can get involved
Our committees and groups
What is the Committee about?
Cancer Institute NSW (the Institute) in partnership with the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW (AH&MRC) oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic priorities for Aboriginal people under the NSW Cancer Plan and upcoming NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy.
The Committee consists of senior decision makers from the Cancer Institute NSW, the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services and key government and non-government organisations to provide a forum for ensuring that strategic priorities and actions for cancer control in NSW which is informed by and developed in partnership with Aboriginal people.
The co-chairs of the Committee are:
- Chief Executive Officer of the Cancer Institute NSW and,
- Chief Executive Officer of the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW
Who are we looking for?
- Aboriginal Elder/community member (1 x Rural, 1 x Metropolitan representative)
What is the role of the Committee?
- Ensure Aboriginal Elders and community representatives have an opportunity to set the priorities for their communities.
- Ensure the cultural safety of cancer control services across the continuum from prevention to palliative care.
- Better integrate the planning and coordination of diagnosis, treatment and care across Aboriginal community-controlled health services, primary care and cancer services.
- Identify and address priority areas of need for Aboriginal people at risk of cancer and diagnosed with cancer across the care continuum.
- Improve the relevance and completeness of data collected to inform directions and monitor progress relating to Aboriginal cancer control.
- Strengthen research to drive improvements in cancer outcomes for Aboriginal people.
What is the time frame and what is the time commitment required?
The Committee meets for three hours, four times per year online.
Out of session requests may be sought at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.
Email communication may occur between meetings. Communication with Elders/community members will reflect their individual preference.
The Cancer Institute NSW will assist with travel arrangements and cover reasonable travel costs of any regional and metropolitan members when meetings are held face to face.
What is the Group about?
The Aboriginal Cancer Advisory Group (ACAG) is a co-design, consultation and monitoring committee which provides leadership and advice for cancer control programs and research that target Aboriginal communities in NSW.
The co-chairs of the Committee are:
- Aboriginal Strategic Advisor at the Cancer Institute NSW and,
- Head of Member Engagement at the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW
Who are we looking for?
- Aboriginal Elder/community member (1 x Rural, 1 x Metropolitan representative)
What is the role of the Committee?
- To provide Aboriginal leadership through the process of co-design in the development, implementation and evaluation of prioritised actions for Aboriginal cancer control.
- Provide organisation-wide oversight and accountability for the strategic direction and implementation of the Institutes Aboriginal programs that are reflected in the NSW Cancer Plan and upcoming NSW Aboriginal Cancer Strategy.
- Provide Aboriginal community consultation and oversight of projects requiring ethics approval from the Aboriginal Health and Medical Research Council of NSW.
- Strengthen Aboriginal community control and guidance for development, implementation and reporting of data linkage and epidemiological projects and research projects, where Aboriginal people are reported separately or where the project relates specifically to Aboriginal people.
What is the time frame and what is the time commitment required?
The Committee meets online with the Institute for three hours, 6-weekly.
Out of session requests maybe sought at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.
Email communication may occur between meetings, and communication with Elders/community members will reflect their individual preference.
The Cancer Institute NSW will assist with travel arrangements and cover reasonable travel costs of any regional and metropolitan members when meeting are held face to face.
What is the Group about?
The aim of the Cancer Institute NSW (the Institute) Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (the Working Group) is to develop and implement the Institutes Reconciliation Action Plan in context to the broader organisational goals and business plans.
The RAP Working Group will work collaboratively with leadership and other Institute divisional staff members to ensure implementation of the Reconciliation Action Plan, and that measurable targets are achieved within the specified timeframes.
The Aboriginal Strategic Advisor of the Cancer Institute NSW chairs this group.
Who are we looking for?
- Aboriginal Elder/Community member (1 x Rural, 1 x Metropolitan representative)
What is the role of the Committee?
- Meet monthly to monitor RAP progress and implementation
- Ensure where necessary that responsibilities are delegated appropriately
- Review internal feedback about the RAP
- Record the challenges, achievements and learnings resulting from the implementation of RAP actions
- Facilitate consultation with leadership, interested staff, external stakeholders (as decided by the RAP working group), and Reconciliation Australia.
- Volunteer to assist with the implementation of RAP deliverables.
- Members will support their teams at a local level, to foster a sense of reconciliation in their programs of work.
- Members of the RAP working group can ask for any item relating to the core business of the group to be placed on any agenda
- Consider RAP implementation issues and consult with relevant business units to find solutions.
- Develop a new RAP when the current plan expires. The draft RAP will be circulated for comment to all relevant staff, senior leaders and Aboriginal stakeholders
What is the time frame and what is the time commitment required?
The Institute’s RAP is currently under review and the refreshed plan launched soon.
The Committee may meet monthly for 1 to 2 hours (TBC).
Out of session requests maybe sought at the discretion of the Co-Chairs.
Email communication may occur between meetings and communication with Elders/community members will reflect their individual preference. The Cancer Institute NSW will assist with travel arrangements and cover reasonable travel costs of any regional and metropolitan members when meeting are held face to face.
- NSW Cancer Plan:
- Focus Community
