• Position: Permanent - Full Time
• Location: Preston VIC 3072
• Salary: $106,389 - $111,092 based on level of experience, plus super

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community 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

The Senior Project Officer, Research and Ethics, plays a key role in supporting and strengthening VACCA’s research partnerships. This includes identifying and fostering new collaborations, providing secretariat support to VACCA’s internal Research Advisory Group, and supporting its Aboriginal-led ethics review processes for internal and external research and evaluation projects. The role also involves conducting and commissioning research, contributing to broader functions of the Research and Evidence Development team, and providing mentoring to Project Officers. Supervision of staff may also be required.

About You

The Senior Project Officer, Research and Ethics, supports the development and implementation of VACCA’s research agenda through designing and managing research projects, conducting literature reviews, developing policies and tools, and fostering partnerships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal researchers.

The role provides secretariat support to VACCA’s Research Advisory Group, including ethics reviews, contributes to evidence-informed practice, prepares funding submissions and publications, and represents VACCA in relevant forums. It also involves mentoring and supervising Project Officers, as well as supporting the broader work of the Research and Evidence Development team.

Requirements: 

• A bachelor’s degree in social sciences or a related field, plus experience in a research capacity in social sciences or human services
• Current COVID-19 vaccination (including booster dose, as applicable), a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence.

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 connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people to apply

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

We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying.

A position description is attached.

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 wellbeing 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 prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

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