Research Officer

**Research Officer**

**_(Aboriginal Identified )_**

**Advocacy, Research and Policy Unit**
- Location: Canterbury, with some flexibility to work from home
- Full-time or Part-time option
- Contract to June 2024
- Classified under the SCHADS Award Level 5, Paypoint 3
- $49.65 gross per hour + super + generous salary packaging
- Aboriginal Identified role

This Aboriginal Identified Research role is fundamental to continue research that achieves better outcomes for people impacted by the criminal justice system, including those related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.

Australia has the shameful reality of the highest percentage of First Nations peoples in custody across the world. We are committed to advocating for change to reduce the impact of the criminal justice system on First Nations peoples and are proud to support employment of First Nations peoples.

**The Team**
The Community Restorative Centre’s (CRC’s) Advocacy, Research and Policy Unit (ARPU) exists to achieve better outcomes for people impacted by the criminal justice system on both a service delivery and systemic level through reviewing, conducting, and translating research and evidence to guide CRC’s work, as well as agitate for broader policy and sector reform. The work we carry out is wide and varied and aims to be responsive to CRC’s needs and the political climate. Importantly, our work is informed by the lived experience of the people with whom we work, CRC staff, the wider NGO sector, as well as academic and expert partners.

**The Opportunity**
Reporting to the Manager of our Advocacy, Research and Policy Unit you will make a significant contribution to research and evaluation studies focused on issues pertinent to our clients and people impacted by the criminal justice system, including those related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.

You will have demonstrated workplace experience or a strong interest in working on research and/or evaluation projects. You will be committed to always working in a culturally safe and trauma informed manner. Ideally, you will have a solid understanding of issues relating to people impacted by the criminal justice system.

Experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative research and using statistical analysis software such as Stata or SPSS is desirable. You will be organised and be able to manage multiple competing priorities and tight time frames.

A day in the life of a Research Officer might look like this, but every day will be different. You will be responsible for:

- Participating in project management, administration and conduct of research and evaluation projects
- Preparing research briefs, assessing proposals and commissioning research consultants as required
- Managing and facilitating Aboriginal research reference groups
- Participating in research and evaluation plans, methodologies and tools
- Using CRC’s client management system to export data and conduct analysis
- Analysing research data (quantitative and/or qualitative)
- Preparing reports and presentations
- Contributing to the interpretation of research and evaluation findings
- Developing and maintaining internal and external relationships with research and evaluation participants and stakeholders.

**Why work for us?**
- Support programs that aim to break entrenched cycles of disadvantage, homelessness, and imprisonment for First Nations communities
- Be part of a community-based agency that has been delivering effective services in our field for over 70 years
- Join a dedicated, energetic team with a culture of flexibility, trust, integrity, and respect
- Access additional Wellbeing Leave and hybrid working arrangements
- Participate in Cultural Supervision for First Nations staff.

**What do you need to join us?**
- To identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
- Tertiary qualifications in Social Sciences or other relevant discipline and/or relevant work experience
- Workplace experience or interest in participating in applied research and evaluation in the government, non-government or academic sectors
- Experience or interest in contributing to the drafting of research and evaluation materials
- High level communication skills, both written and verbal
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to critically think and productively engage in research projects
- Ability to be self-motivated and work independently when required
- Knowledge of issues relating to people impacted by the criminal justice system

**How to apply**:
Please submit your response to the selection criteria and upload a copy of your resume.

**Applications will close once a suitable applicant is found so PLEASE APPLY NOW**

**_CRC considers being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification as specified under section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW)._