• Executive Level 2
• Full time or part time
• Ongoing
• Location: Melbourne (office in Melbourne CBD) or other suitable location

Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC)

Are you an experienced manager with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills? Do you have extensive subject matter expertise in child and adolescent development and experience in longitudinal research? Are you keen to make a significant contribution by inspiring others and achieving results through delivering commissioned research to inform policy and practice?

The Australian Institute of Family Studies is looking for an exceptional leader to head AIFS’ work on Growing Up in Australia: The Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a major study following the development through to adulthood of 10,000 children and their families, from all parts of Australia.

Getting to know AIFS

We are the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS), the Australian Government’s key independent research body and advisor in the area of family wellbeing, based in Melbourne CBD. We produce research about ‘what works for families’ and make it accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the general public.

About the role

The Program Lead, LSAC will lead a team and coordinate research methodology, fieldwork activities and the communication of research findings as well as data management and release, and data analysis and publication. The role will contribute to setting the future directions of the study and work closely with external stakeholders including government agencies, expert and community advisory groups and suppliers, the AIFS executive team and other managers.

As a senior leader within the Institute, the Program Lead, LSAC will role model the AIFS and APS Values and demonstrate leadership and collaboration across research and corporate areas. In addition to leading the delivery of complex research projects and programs, they will help shape the strategic direction of their research area and the Institute more broadly. The successful person will have:

• demonstrated expertise and a proven track record in leading complex social research projects including large-scale surveys (preferably longitudinal) on topics such as child and adolescent development and/or young adulthood

• demonstrated experience in delivering high-quality projects, monitoring progress, identifying and addressing risks, adjusting plans, and seeking and responding to feedback from stakeholders

• a demonstrated record of publishing and experience in producing high-quality written research materials of various forms in a style and format easily understood by policy makers, researchers and other relevant stakeholders

• demonstrated strengths in relationship management and communication, including the ability to confidently interact with a range of internal and external stakeholders

• a demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with a network of key people internally and externally, recognising shared interests and working toward mutually beneficial outcomes

• demonstrated effective leadership skills with a focus on developing and coaching others, and providing guidance to build performance

To be eligible for engagement, applicants must be Australian citizens unless special approval is given. For example, applicants with permanent resident status who have applied or intend to apply for Australian citizenship may be considered for engagement.

Conditions of engagement including probation, health and character clearances (including police records  check, Working with Children Check and security clearance) may apply to this position.

AIFS is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, mature age people, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as LGBTI+, and people with parenting and/or caring responsibilities.