Senior Research Officer

Summary of program and its objectives:

The Foyer Foundation and BSL share common goals and have entered into a partnership with one another to leverage the relevant expertise of both organisations and enhance the complementary roles each organisation plays in the Australian Youth Foyer movement.
Foyers are integrated learning and accommodation settings for young people, typically aged 16 – 24 years, who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Foyers provide a point in time service that enables young people to develop and achieve educational and employment pathways. The key to the model lies in the provision of stable accommodation for up to two years in a supported, congregate living environment. For young people who are unable to rely on family support in this critical developmental stage, Foyers provide the time, personalised attention, mentoring, coaching and access to opportunities needed to lead fulfilling, independent and productive lives. Utilising an ‘Advantaged Thinking’ approach, Foyers seek to tap into the goals and ambitions of young people and nurture their talents while building skills for life.

Main responsibilities of the role:

The Senior Research Officer will conduct applied social research and policy within the Youth research theme and RPC’s strategic framework. In partnership with the Foyer Foundation, the role will build on BSL’s research and policy work on Youth Foyers to support the development of an impact measurement, monitoring and evaluation framework across Youth Foyers nationally.

Australian Foyers operate in diverse settings, utilising a variety of service models, outcomes measures and data collection strategies. Initially, the role will research and document existing models, frameworks, key practices and data collection across Australian Foyers. In consultation with key stakeholders, the role will scope options around the development of a common dataset and tools to measure Foyer impact and monitor key elements of practice.

To meet the selection criteria, candidates will require:
Essential:
Qualifications

• A postgraduate social science degree with extensive relevant research experience or an equivalent combination of relevant tertiary education and research experience.
  Knowledge
• developed knowledge of the relevant field (current issues and debates in research and policy)
• developed understanding of the social research and policy environment, including contemporary issues
• developed knowledge of relevant ethical research practices and codes

Skills

• developed research skills in quantitative data collection and analysis
• demonstrated experience designing, administering, and analysing surveys for social research
• demonstrated experience reporting on quantitative data to inform stakeholder decision-making
• demonstrated proficiency with research related software (for example SPSS, Stata) bibliographic software such as Endnote and Microsoft office software (Word, Excel, Access etc)
• developing record of publications (reports, journals and peer reviewed publications)
• demonstrated project management and organisational skills, including the ability to manage staff, plan workload, prioritise and meet deadlines
• well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships, advise and liaise with a broad range of people across all levels, both internally and externally including people of all ages and from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds
• demonstrated stakeholder engagement skills
• demonstrated presentation skills
• capacity to develop media skills
• capacity to develop leadership and negotiation skills

Applied research skills

• Demonstrated ability to respond to external data queries and conduct relevant analysis
• Demonstrated ability to communicate and disseminate research findings tailored to other researchers, sector stakeholders, and policymakers
• Demonstrated ability to conduct research in an applied research setting
  Attributes
• understanding of and empathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood
• Seeks the common good through compassion, a generosity of spirit and reliance on evidence.
• Collaborative. Works with others to achieve common goals; has a spirit of teamwork and supports staff.
• Strong attention to detail

Desirable

• understanding of issues relating to young people experiencing disadvantage.
• experience working in applied social research or evaluation.

This is a part-time position working 15 hours per week on 12 months maximum term.

Salary will be in the range of $83,242.95 to $87,519.72 pro rata per annum, based on skills and experience plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging provisions are available to increase take home pay.

For further information about the role phone Marion Coddou on 0490 440 053

As part of the Brotherhood’s recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks as required, applicants will be subject to, but not limited to, the following checks: National (and International if applicable) Police Check, Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Right to Work in Australia, Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Check and current professional registration.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has a vision of an Australia free of Poverty. We embrace, and value, diversity of culture, working arrangements, sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure our workforce is representative of the community that we work within. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include and welcome unique contributions of all people. We embrace and celebrate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contribution to our organisation.