• Tenure: 28 April 2025 – 9 April 2027
• Part-time: 0.4 FTE (2 days per week)

The Centre for Public Education Research (CPER) was established by the NSW Teachers Federation (the Federation) as a research institute to ensure Federation's capacity to commission quality research and promote the public teaching profession. In particular, this research covers the sectors of early childhood education, public schools, and Technical and Further Education (TAFE).

 In line with both the 2019 and the 2024 Annual Conference decisions, its work includes, by working closely with academic researchers, the organising and disseminating of high quality, independent, academic research, articles and papers for the purposes of providing public commentary and ensuring the leadership and pre-eminence of public education in NSW.

 From 2025, CPER will merge with NSW Teachers Federation’s Centre for Professional Learning (CPL).  The role of the CPL is to provide professional learning enabling the NSWTF to organise around teachers’ work and the CPER is about research and analysis around broader political ideology and theories.

Duties of the Assistant Director, CPER:

As the Assistant Director CPER is responsible to the Director of the CPL and the General Secretary for their role in the operations of the CPER, the Assistant Director, CPER is required to:

• Address the priorities of the CPER, by assisting and working collaboratively with the Director, in the overall planning, organisation and delivery of CPER generated research and related seminars, public forums and conferences;
• Attend CPL/ CPER administration and planning meetings;
• Assist the Director to report to the Committee of Management of the CPL/ CPER, the Executive, Council, Conference and Senior Officers of the union.
• Attend Annual Conference, Council and CPL/ CPER Committee of Management meetings whenever not prevented by carrying out other duties and attend Executive if required to assist the Director of the CPL to provide reports and advice to the Executive.

While the Assistant Director, CPER is appointed to a specialised position, they may be required to undertake other duties as requested by the General Secretary.

The Assistant Director, CPER is based at Federation House in Surry Hills.  The Assistant Director, CPER may be required to work hours that take into account the extended hours of operation to carry out their role. It is expected that the Assistant Director, CPER have a current NSW Drivers Licence.

In consultation with the Senior Officers, the Assistant Director, CPER will have responsibility to:

• Organise and network with academics to focus on research that coincides with Federation’s campaigns;
• Disseminate research to influence policy makers and public opinion;
• Build alliances with research and advocacy organisations to promote the Federation’s policies and campaigns;
• Organise forums and platforms to amplify research that is consistent with Federation’s campaigns and policies;
• Partner with academics to conduct research;
• Provide the Senior Officers with information about research developments in Public Education;
• Conduct data and statistical analyses for Senior Officers;
• Liaise with Professional Officers as appropriate in the organisation of research and the content of CPER events for members;
• Research, source and edit material for the JPL;
• Consult with the CPL Director and the Senior Officers, as appropriate, on CPER research and events;
• Report to the CPL/ CPER Committee of Management about the status of CPER work and projects; and
• Work with the Director and the appropriate staff to progress CPER projects and events.

Position criteria

• Complete commitment to the goals of the NSWTF, CPER and the principles of public education.
• Demonstrated experience in current research methodologies.
• Ability to liaise with the full range of personnel involved in the operation of the CPL/CPER.
• High level research, writing and editorial skills.
• Demonstrated connections with relevant educational or other unions.
• Proven experience in research related to Public Education.
• Experience in working with Universities or Higher Education.

Salary and conditions

The salary will be pro-rata to that of a Head Teacher under the relevant teacher award and the working conditions, superannuation arrangements and leave provisions will be commensurate with those of Professional Officers of the NSWTF. The appointment will be 0.4 full time equivalent (FTE) for 2 years with a three-month probation period if the successful candidate has not previously held this position.