Sydney Children's Hospitals Network is the largest paediatric health care entity in Australia. We care for thousands of children each year in our hospitals and in their homes — with one purpose in mind — to help young people live their healthiest lives.
Learn more about our network: http://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/professionals

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Staff Specialist
Hours Per Week: 40
Requisition ID: REQ699168

We welcome applications from established leaders in public health, immunisation, infectious diseases and related fields who are committed to improving health outcomes through research, policy and practice.

For a confidential discussion please contact Pam Lubrainschik, Managing Consultant on 0452 295 088 or email [email protected] or Kim Gillespie, Senior Consultant on 0406 551 917 or email [email protected] by no later than Friday 30 October 2026.

The National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance of Vaccine Preventable Diseases (NCIRS) is the leading body in Australia that provides objective expert advice on all aspects of vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), vaccines, and other issues related to immunisation, to inform policy and planning for immunisation services in Australia and to support initiatives in the control of VPDs across the whole life-course. NCIRS also has a growing Global Health program that works to support countries, particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region, on their immunisation system strengthening efforts. This work is funded through agreements with the Australian and New South Wales governments, including the Australian Centre for Disease Control, as well as other funding agencies.

The NCIRS Director is the senior leadership position responsible for providing all scientific, strategic, financial and operational performance direction and oversight for the Centre. The Director provides national leadership in assessing and advising on the risks from and control of vaccine-preventable diseases to a diverse array of key stakeholders and funders. Together with the NCIRS executive leadership team, the Director is responsible for ensuring the delivery of NCIRS work under its strategic objectives to ensure nationally and internationally significant research, surveillance, policy support and advisory functions on the use of vaccines in Australia and globally.

The Director fosters ongoing strategic relationships with government agencies, funding bodies, universities,



international multi-lateral organisations and other key partners. The role ensures optimal organisational performance, strengthens strategic partnerships and support the long-term sustainability and national and international impact of NCIRS, leveraging upon and furthering the skills of the Centre’s multi-disciplinary team of over 120 individuals. A conjoint academic appointment/s at affiliated Universities of SCHN is supported and potential for clinical appointment (subject to qualifications) exists. On-call duties occur, in the form of NCIRS national and international engagements, as does leadership of and participation in review and improvement activities, as well as training and education of staff.

NCIRS is a centre within Kids Research, and as such the NCIRS Director must abide by the SCHN code of conduct and participate in annual performance reviews for clinical services in accordance with the Staff Specialist (State) Award.

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity - we acknowledge the vibrancy that a diverse workforce brings to enhance both our workplace culture and our service delivery to children, young people and their families and carers. We encourage all suitably qualified applicants to apply. If you identify as an Indigenous Australian or as a person with a disability, please contact us if you would like some more information about our recruitment process.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. We recognise the value of Aboriginal staff providing health care to Aboriginal children and families that access the services we provide at the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network. Aboriginal job applicants are encouraged to

Please refer to the Application Guide and NSW Policy Directive PD2022_030 Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases for vaccination requirements.

This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) issued by the Office of the Children’s Guardian.

SCHN is committed to maintaining a child safe culture that upholds the rights of children and young people.



We strive to ensure children and young people feel secure, supported, and are included in their care. Existing staff of SCHN and those seeking employment are required to prioritise the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children and young people in their care and take action to keep them safe from harm and abuse. Please

Applicants holding visas with working rights may be considered for temporary appointment (up to the expiry date of their visa) where no suitable local applicant is identified.

Please note: To be eligible for permanent appointment to a position in NSW Health, you must have an Australian citizenship or permanent Australian residency.

- Eligible for registration with the Medical Board of Australia as a Specialist (for example as a public health, physician or paediatric specialist), and/or overseas trained specialist pathways

- Extensive demonstrated public health, clinical and research expertise, particularly experience in evaluation and deployment of vaccines and in the control of vaccine preventable diseases, across national and international contexts

- Possess professional authority and credibility, and demonstrate astute judgement and awareness to promote and manage key relationships and collaboration in communicable diseases control

- Demonstrated effective and respected communication skills, and highly recognised information technology use, written, verbal and interpersonal skills

- Demonstrated commitment and experience in research, teaching, continuing education and quality improvement in the field of vaccine-preventable diseases.

- Strong track record of effectively leading a multidisciplinary team to deliver complex evidence-based public health advice, services and research

- Demonstrated strategic and operational leadership, aligning people, resources, business processes and financial stewardship to deliver objectives and sustainable performance.

- Availability to participate in on-call activities related to NCIRS portfolio of work.

Need more information?

For technical support please contact the customer service team on 1300 679 367 and select option 3.

Applications Close: Friday 30 October 2026.
For a confidential discussion please contact Pam Lubrainschik, Managing Consultant on 0452 295 088 or email [email protected] or Kim Gillespie, Senior Consultant on 0406 551 917 or email [email protected] by no later than Friday 30 October 2026.

📌 Director, Australian National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance (NCIRS) (eCredential)
🏢 NSW Health
📍 Westmead