Jessica Blain

Experience

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  Centacare Wilcannia Forbes

  Jul 2011 - Aug 2012

  Youth Projects Coordinator

  • Coordinated the NSW Department of Education Links to Learning program with young people aged 12-18. Co-designed and implemented the Strong and Deadly Sisters wellbeing program for adolescent girls as part of this initiative.

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  Magic Childcare

  Nov 2012 - Jan 2014

  Head Supervisor & Volunteer Coordinator

  • Designed and managed out-of-school-hours programs for children aged 5-12, involving 30-60 children and 3-7 staff in each program. • Recruitment and coordination of volunteers, including interviews, inductions, rosters, mentoring and debriefing.

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  Domestic Violence NSW Service Management

  Feb 2014 - Jul 2015

  Children's Case Worker

  • Case management and advocacy for women and children escaping domestic violence.

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  Hays

  Feb 2016 - Feb 2018

  Out of School Hours & Vacation Care Educator

  • Assisted delivery of after school care and school holiday programs across various City of Sydney OOSH centres, involving the care and engagement of children aged 5-12.

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  Concordia University

  Jun 2016 - Sept 2016

  Research Assistant

  • Contributed to the evaluation of an arts-based youth program delivered in a remote First Nations community through qualitative methods (interview analysis, photo-voice, focus groups). • Literature reviews, interview coding, thematic analysis and other research where required.

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  University of Sydney

  Aug 2017 - Feb 2021

  • Coordinated the Service Learning in Indigenous Communities education program during an organisational restructure and curriculum transformation. • Managed communication and co-designed project briefs with community partner organisations, involving travel to communities, facilitating workshops and presenting outcomes to peak bodies. • Secured strategic funding and support for the program, involving preparation of a successful business case and presentations to University Executive Committees. • Supervised students on remote fieldwork placements in partner communities.• Co-authored a research evaluation of an Aboriginal model of maternity care (see media link). Show less

  • Senior External Engagement Officer

    Feb 2019 - Feb 2021

  • Academic Project Officer / Research Associate

    Aug 2017 - Feb 2019
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  Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations

  Apr 2020 - Jun 2020

  Independent Consultant

  • Prepared a report outlining a remote First Nation’s values and uses of water over time, in the context of local culture and heritage. Compiled through secondary research and oral histories, this report was used for a NSW Government water resource plan.

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  UNSW Centre for Big Data Research in Health

  Mar 2021 - Jul 2021

  Research Associate

  • Global systematic review and analysis of research on Indigenous data governance.

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  Charles Darwin University

  May 2021 - Feb 2022

  Senior Project & Policy Officer

  • Prepared business cases to propose new strategic initiatives and secure endorsement from university executive and government stakeholders. • Researched and reviewed complex health and education issues, identifying emerging trends, and developing evidence-based options to address problems.• Examples of proposals include a VET ‘Train the Trainer’ program to support the next generation of Aboriginal educators, and a case for the NT’s first Master of Audiology program.

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  Department of Education Northern Territory

  Feb 2022 - Jan 2023

  Manager, Training (Higher Education)

  • Built and sustained collaborative relationships and work practices with remote schools, VET and higher education stakeholders. • Coordinated the tertiary component of the Remote Aboriginal Teacher Education (RATE) program during a phase of evaluation, review and expansion to support the aspirations of Aboriginal educators in remote schools. • Prepared and provided strategic and practical evidence-informed advice on submissions, briefings, reports and correspondence for department executives and the Minister. Show less

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  NSW Department of Education

  Jun 2023 - now

  Senior Project Officer - Regional Industry Education Partnerships

  I manage and coordinate the delivery, monitoring and evaluation of the Regional Industry Education Partnerships (RIEP) program in Western Sydney. The RIEP program connects employers with schools to provide students with access to practical experiences and industry-validated career information. My role is to collaborate with local employers, schools, businesses and community organisations to design experiences that inspire and support students on their journey of career discovery. Show less