Request for expressions of interest to provide epidemiology services to support two mortality review committees

Expressions of interest are now closed. 

The Health Quality & Safety Commission is seeking epidemiology services to support the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee (PMMRC) and the Suicide Mortality Review Committee (SuMRC).

Submissions close at 5pm on Wednesday 19 December 2018.

The PMMRC and SuMRC are mortality review committees established under Section 59e of the New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000.

The PMMRC reviews and reports on infant (up to 28 days) and maternal mortality and morbidity for the purposes of improving care, quality and safety, and saving lives. The committee is investigating the mortality data and literature to better report and advise about populations most impacted by harm.

The SuMRC reviews and reports on how to reduce the number of suicide deaths in New Zealand, across all age groups, genders, sexual preferences and ethnicities.

All the mortality review committees have a particular focus on reducing inequities for disadvantaged groups, leading to system improvements and change recommendations.

We are requesting expressions of interest from suitably qualified epidemiology service providers to join the mortality review committee secretariat team that supports the PMMRC and SuMRC. The applicant(s) will ideally have expertise in the areas of maternal and perinatal care, and/or suicide research and knowledge, and experience in health inequities, particularly for Māori.

These epidemiology services are to support planning and analysis of the public health issues associated with the work of each of the committees.

The epidemiology service provider will be able to:

• inform the collection of data, analyse the information, and communicate findings to the committees for reporting to health and social practitioners, policymakers, and the public
• support public health programmes by contributing to planning, monitoring and analysing data
• seek ways to improve data collection and review methodology, among other activities.

Essential skills include:

• strong understanding of statistical concepts
• strong understanding of health promotion processes
• critical appraisal skills, well developed written and oral skills, strategic thinking
• attention to detail
• wide professional and cultural networks
• credibility in relevant communities and respect of peers
• strong personal integrity and ethical behaviour
• commitment to the issues at the heart of the committee’s business
• experience in working with Māori and Pacific peoples
• ability to engage with members of the committee and secretariat and contribute constructively.

We are interested in a flexible resourcing level across the year, potentially up to 0.2 FTE, per committee. Services are to commence early 2019.

If you or your service would like to submit an expression of interest, please complete the form below and email it to MRCsecretariat@hqsc.govt.nz.

For background on the committees please view the Perinatal and Maternal Mortality Review Committee section and the Suicide Mortality Review Committee section of our website.

Related downloads

• Expression of interest application form (287kb, docx)