Researcher (Aboriginal Identified)

Who are Uniting?

At Uniting, we believe in taking real steps to make the world a better place. We work to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Our services cover aged care, community services, disability, early learning and chaplaincy and we get involved in social justice and advocacy issues that impact the people we serve. As an organisation we walk alongside Aboriginal people and communities and celebrate diversity and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation or gender identity.

About the Role:

Uniting's Research and Social Policy team is recruiting a Researcher to join us on a full-time ongoing basis. The role sits within Uniting's Social Impact and Advocacy directorate, alongside the Advocacy/Government Relations team and the Innovation Team. Our work aims to disrupt entrenched disadvantage by informing practice improvement, innovation and advocacy.

This is a broad and varied role with interactions with programs, practitioners, university partners, and government agencies. You will build your networks across academia and the social care sector as you take responsibility for day-to-day management of our large suite of external research projects. You'll refine your qualitative and quantitative research skills by working with our Principal Researchers on a variety of in-house projects. And you will lead the team's contribution to projects involving codesign and consultation with Aboriginal people and communities in NSW and the ACT.

Day to day responsibilities are set out in the Position Description.

About You

This role would suit an emerging researcher looking to gain experience and develop their skills in a practical environment. We are particularly interested applicants with skills in qualitative research, and in interest in disseminating results to diverse audiences and translating them into practice.

This is an identified position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Aboriginality is a genuine qualification authorised under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination ACT1977. Successful applicants will be required to provide appropriate evidence of identity as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

Your skill set will include:

An ability to translate research findings into proposals which can drive practice improvement, innovation, and policy change
An ability to consult and cultivate productive working relationships with practitioners, policy makers and academics
A firm commitment to social justice and interest in research relating to Aboriginal people and to the areas covered by Uniting's services

Your Qualifications and Experience:

Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g., social science, public health or social work)
Experience in conducting qualitative consultations in applied contexts, with and interest in quantitative analysis/mixed-methods research.

Even Better:

Knowledge of government bodies and of social policy relating to the areas in which Uniting offers services.
Experience developing and contributing to research projects in partnership with Aboriginal people, staff and/or communities
Willingness to use research software such as R, SPSS Endnote, and/or NVivo
Interest and skills in dissemination and knowledge translation.

What next?

Please submit a cover letter and CV, showing how you meet the criteria described above under "Your skill set will include", "Your qualifications and experience" and "Even better".

For a confidential discussion about the role and salary range please don't hesitate to contact Dina Oraha on or

At Uniting we believe vaccination to be the best way to keep our employees and clients safe from COVID-19. We require all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (3 doses) as a condition of employment.

At Uniting, we welcome and celebrate everyone regardless of lifestyle, ethnicity, faith, sexual orientation, and gender identity and proudly create a safe and inclusive environment for staff and clients.

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which may include a national police check, reference checks, working with children checks, and NDIS checks.

---