Advocacy, Research and Policy Unit

• Location: Canterbury, with some flexibility to work from home
• Part time: 3 days a week
• Contract to June 2026
• $101,787 gross per annum (full-time) + super + generous salary packaging
• Aboriginal Identified role

This Aboriginal Identified Research role is central to our research and advocacy work which aims to achieve better outcomes for people impacted by the criminal justice system, including those related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their communities.

Reporting to the Advocacy, Research and Policy Unit Manager, you will make a significant contribution to research and evaluation studies focussed 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 on research and/or evaluation projects. You will be committed to 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.

You will have strong qualitative and/or quantitative research skills across research design, data collection, data analysis, and report writing. Experience using statistical analysis software such as Stata or SPSS is desirable. You will be highly 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:

• Undertaking the project management, administration and conduct of research and evaluation projects
• Preparing research briefs, assessing proposals and commissioning research consultants as required
• Preparing ethics applications to relevant ethics committees
• Managing and facilitating Aboriginal research reference groups
• Designing research and evaluation plans, methodologies and tools
• Using CRC’s case 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?

Our successful candidate will bring the following:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in social & political sciences, criminology, law, policy, communications, public health, or related disciplines
• Workplace experience in conducting applied research and evaluation in the government, non-government or academic sectors
• Strong qualitative and/or quantitative skills
• Experience in drafting 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:

We want to hear from you! Do you have a passion for and commitment to listening to and amplifying the voices of First Nations communities and people with lived experience of incarceration and want to help us build sector capacity to better respond to the needs of CRC clients? Apply today!

Please submit your response to the selection criteria and upload a copy of your resume.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Research Officer, Aboriginal Identified enquiry via EthicalJobs.

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).