Are you an experienced mixed-methods social researcher, committed to improving access to justice for the people of NSW? The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW (‘the Foundation’) is an independent statutory body that addresses the legal needs of the community by creating, harnessing and sharing quality evidence.

The Researcher contributes to the development, delivery and dissemination of high-quality research. The Foundation’s research program aligns with our strategic priorities and is reviewed on an annual basis, to ensure relevance and responsiveness to priority needs of the sector and community. It involves innovative empirical research and synthesis of available evidence, across a range of themes.

Examples of our scope of work include:

• Surveys of legal needs and access to legal supports, to identify inequalities and opportunities for strengthening the justice system
• Analyses of legal services data and official data (such as ABS data), and sharing findings via products such as dashboards and reports
• Collaborative studies with legal and non-legal services to inform strategies for reaching and supporting people and communities with unmet legal needs
• Evaluations and reviews of programs, to identify lessons for ongoing development of effective strategies for improving access to justice.

About you

Our ideal candidate is collaborative, methodical, organised, innovative and flexible, with excellent quantitative and qualitative research skills that can be applied across multi-disciplinary settings. You will work in a dynamic environment and your tasks will vary depending on the research projects in progress at any time.

About us

We are a small and friendly team that enjoys working collaboratively, while also giving individuals the space to develop their own strengths and contributions. The Researcher will work closely with the Research Director, Principal Researchers, Senior Researcher and Research Assistant. Continuing professional development is strongly supported by the Foundation.

We provide a truly flexible work environment, offering flexible and hybrid working arrangements to accommodate the needs, interests, and responsibilities of all staff. The Foundation values diversity and is committed to building an inclusive workplace culture that reflects the community we serve. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are particularly encouraged to apply. We also encourage applicants from diverse community groups including LGBTQIA+, people with disability, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Skills and selection criteria

Essential

• Postgraduate qualification in social sciences, psychology, social work, criminology, law or other relevant discipline
• At least two years’ experience of undertaking social research, such as in an academic, public-sector, not-for-profit or other applied research organisation
• Mixed methods research skills, with the ability to confidently design and deliver qualitative and quantitative research projects
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with the ability to adapt communication styles to translate research to a diverse range of audiences
• Strong project management skills, including planning, time management, and reporting skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, to produce high quality, timely outputs
• Experience in the use of relevant databases and software packages – must have experience in at least one qualitative and one quantitative software package, with the ability to learn others (examples of packages we use include SPSS, NVivo, Endnote, Excel and Tableau).

Working arrangements

The role is offered on a full-time basis (35 hours per week). Part-time arrangements may be considered for the right candidate. Hybrid working arrangements are offered, with attendance at a Sydney CBD office required at least one day per week and on an as-needs basis. Applicants must have the right to work in Australia. The Researcher is responsible to the Research Director, Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

Salary and benefits

• Dependent on experience and qualifications, $105,000 - $125,000 + super. Note: we will consider a senior researcher level position if someone demonstrates particularly strong skills and experience. The upper range of this bracket reflects such an arrangement.
• Flexible and hybrid work arrangements
• Bonus paid recognition leave, enabling full pay during annual shutdown period over Christmas to new year

NEXT STEPS

If you have questions about the role, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Researcher enquiry via EthicalJobs with your query and contact details.

To submit your application, you must provide your CV, and a cover letter of no more than 4 pages addressing how you meet the selection criteria.

Applications must be received by the closing date, Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.

If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email us at [email protected] and we can work with you to ensure accessibility.

A position description is attached.