GEDSI Advisor for Pacific Islands Programs

Written By Patrick Tappouras

Consultant

📍 Location: Remotely from any location in Australia, with travel to Pacific Islands.

📅 Consultancy | 10 months

🕔 Closing date: 2 March 2026

The Field Epidemiology in Action team (FEiA) of the University of Newcastle is seeking an experienced Gender, Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) Advisor to complete activities that focus on mainstreaming GEDSI into FEiA-supported field epidemiology training programs in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. The GEDSI workplan has been developed by FEiA’s GEDSI advisor and work has commenced. Upcoming parental leave means that we are now seeking consultancy support to complete the work.

A few examples of tasks within the workplan include:

  • Engaging with the relevant Ministries of Health in relation to field epidemiology training and mainstreaming GEDSI in training programs

  • Identifying opportunities for social inclusion based on the cultural context and priorities of each country

  • Reviewing field epidemiology training curricula to identify opportunities to mainstream GEDSI and potential barriers to inclusion

  • Partnering with a National Disability Forum

  • Supporting colleagues in mainstreaming GEDSI through training and advice

This is not the entirety of the workplan, which will be provided to shortlisted candidates.

Selection Criteria

The consultant(s) will need to demonstrate that they have:

  • Tertiary qualifications in international development, gender studies, public health or a related discipline. Postgraduate qualifications in gender studies or epidemiology, or graduation from a field epidemiology training program, are highly desirable

  • Knowledge of GEDSI issues, particularly in Pacific Island Countries and/or low-income settings

  • Experience developing and/or delivering participatory training materials in low-income settings.

  • Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills including the capacity to build relationships in a cross-cultural environment.

  • Willingness and ability to travel for 4-6 weeks per year, nationally and internationally

Other Information

The successful candidate(s) will need to possess a passport which allows them to travel to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji. If visas are required, these will be at the expense of FEiA.

When not travelling, the successful candidate can work remotely from any location in Australia, or within a time zone that is no more than 3 hours ahead or behind Newcastle (AEST/AEDT).

How to Apply

Interested applicants are asked to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), detailing their skills, qualifications and experience and how these align with the listed Selection Criteria listed above. Following review of all EOIs, shortlisted candidates will then be approached to provide a quote for their services, based on the detailed GEDSI workplan that will be provided to them at that time.

We estimate that the completion of the GEDSI workplan will require approximately 100 working days over 10 months, but shortlisted candidates are welcome to propose alternative timings after reviewing the GEDSI workplan.

All enquiries and EOIs should be sent to cathy.day@newcastle.edu.au and must be received before 2 March 2026.

 

EOI period closes on 2 March 2026.

Interested applicants are asked to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), detailing their skills, qualifications and experience and how these align with the selection criteria.

EOIs should be sent to cathy.day@newcastle.edu.au and must be received before 2 March 2026.

Patrick Tappouras