Administrative Research Assistant

About Studio Schools of Australia Ltd

Studio Schools of Australia (SSA) was established in 2019 to bring about a "system" level change in secondary education for Indigenous students in remote communities across northern Australia. This "system level" reform is based on well-established evidence of what works for Indigenous students, their families and communities, in a scalable, proven work-related model of education introduced at the Yiramalay / Wesley Studio School in the Kimberley, Western Australia, in 2010. The system is supported by a bespoke Indigenous Education and Research Centre IERC.

SSA's mission is to enable Indigenous students to lead their own advancement and to take a valuable and meaningful place in their own communities and within Australia.

SSA is committed to being a child safe environment, and we actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students.  All staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment.

Overview

The Administrative Research Assistant for the Indigenous Education and Research Centre (IERC) provides high-level administrative and project support across all areas of the IERC's work. The successful candidate will be a highly organised and proactive professional, capable of managing diverse responsibilities from data-driven research tasks to supporting staff development and operational logistics. A deep respect for and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures is fundamental to success in this role.

The Administrative Research Assistant, IERC reports to the Deputy CEO - School performance and the IERC (Deputy CEO).

Key Responsibilities

IERC Research & Data Support:

• Provide comprehensive administrative support to Deputy CEO.
• Assist with research projects, including data collection, entry, validation, and preliminary analysis.
• Coordinate the preparation and submission of research documentation, including ethics applications and literature reviews.
• Compile, format, and proofread reports, papers, and presentations to a professional standard.
• Organise events, logistics, and catering for professional development workshops and meetings undertaken by the IERC.
• Assist the Deputy CEO with reports to the SSA Board.

On-Site support for school improvement:

• In collaboration with school leadership, coordinate the development and implementation of the Professional Learning program for staff across the year.
• Support staff with professional compliance requirements, including assisting them to obtain their WA WWCC, National Police Check, and complete mandatory Child Protection training and SSA Policy Acknowledgement.
• Identify and facilitate development of further study opportunities for staff.

General Administration:

• Prepare agendas and take accurate, detailed minutes for key meetings.
• Manage sensitive information with the highest degree of discretion and confidentiality.
• Perform other duties as directed to meet the evolving needs of the IERC.

Qualifications and Experience

• A relevant qualification in Business Administration, Education Support, Social Science, or a related field, and/or equivalent demonstrated experience.
• Demonstrated experience in an administrative role supporting senior management.
• High-level proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite (especially Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).

Skills and Capabilities

• Superior written and verbal skills for professional documentation and respectful cross-cultural interaction.
• Proven ability to use initiative, prioritise tasks, and work effectively under pressure with minimal supervision.
• Maturity to handle sensitive information with integrity and maintain strict confidentiality.
• A deep respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and a commitment to advancing Indigenous education.
• Strong organisational skills with a keen attention to detail and a proactive approach to problem-solving.

Employment

Due to Australian immigration regulations, applicants must have Australian work rights. We especially welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Applicants will be required to provide a current WA Working with Children Check (WWCC) and National Police Check (NPC).

All appointments at Studio Schools of Australia are subject to child protection legislation and pre-employment screening.