• Position: Full-Time Ongoing
• Location: Preston VIC 3072
• Salary: $120,331 - $125,066 Based on experience, plus super
• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

As the Manager, of Research and Innovation (Identified). This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to guide and implement research grounded in Aboriginal methodologies. You will lead VACCA’s culturally informed research and innovation portfolio, shaping our research agenda and overseeing project design and implementation. Your expertise will ensure our research approaches, policies, and procedures align with Indigenous methodologies.

You will foster relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, researchers, and universities, and lead the evaluation of pilot projects and new programs. Additionally, you will manage VACCA’s internal Research Advisory Group, playing a crucial role in our commitment to culturally respectful and impactful research. Join us and make a meaningful difference.

About You

We seek a candidate deeply committed to VACCA's values, with a strong understanding of Aboriginal cultures and contemporary issues. The ideal candidate will have expertise in Indigenous research methods, experience in designing and implementing culturally informed research, and excellent written communication skills.

Proven ability to build research partnerships, manage teams, and oversee project management tasks such as scheduling, budgeting, evaluations and risk assessment is essential. A commitment to professional development and strong interpersonal skills are highly valued. Desirable attributes include experience managing research programs with multiple stakeholders and supporting new practices or programs.

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5% loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connections with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

 This position is designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. As such, it is exclusively available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and a current resume.

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description before applying.

Please click here to download the position description for this role: Manager - Research and Innovation.pdf 

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check before the commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy.