Research Analyst, Govt Affairs

This role may be based in Sydney or Melbourne.

The Foundation continues to build a culture of curiosity and experimentation as we support partners and seek to identify, evaluate, and communicate the evidence underpinning pathways which break cycles of disadvantage.

This position is an opportunity to join the Alliances team and help build the Foundation’s profile and influence through generating and managing research, data and evaluation, and outcomes in ways which advance the Foundation’s mission and support the Alliances team to engage with Government and other key external stakeholders.

The Research Analyst will work with the Head of Government Affairs to identify pathways to impact, synthesize cross-sector evidence, produce clear summaries and manage a mix of research and briefing projects.

Using a rigorous analytical approach, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and strong written and verbal communication and stakeholder engagement skills, this role supports the Alliances Team priorities and goals to enable the Foundation to fulfil its aspiration to break cycles of disadvantage.

The Alliances Team works to break cycles of disadvantage by focussing on three core areas:

1. Forging alliances for impact and disrupting silos
2. Reimagining and influencing the allocation of resources; and
3. Shifting hearts, minds and decisions.

We have an opportunity to work with others to reimagine and recreate futures where cycles are disrupted, and futures are bright. We know no one person, intervention, program, government, NGO, community organisation or funder are going to break cycles of disadvantage alone. PRF is committed to partnering with people, communities and organisations to build capability and achieve change that lasts.

• Works closely with the Head of Government Affairs and Alliances team to develop and execute a vision, agenda, research and policy briefings.
• Supports team members, including the Chief Alliances Officer, to prepare for meetings, public engagements and advocacy opportunities by undertaking research, analysing data (e.g. literature, grey literature and public quantatitive data, such as ABS, HILDA, AIHW), writing summaries, providing advice.
• Ensures the Alliances team’s engagement and advocacy is strongly evidence based by working to identify, interrogate, evaluate and synthesise relevant research and data in a compelling and accessible way.
• Develops high quality written products including research summaries, policy briefs and meeting briefs.
• Works collaboratively with all PRF teams, including the Research and Insights team to sustain knowledge sharing and identification of insights generated across foundation and partner activities.
• Works with the Head of Government Affairs and the Alliances team to deepen relationships with Government, including through knowledge translation and producing evidence briefs tailored to a government audience.
• Produces responsive and timely range of written analysis, including insight reports, quarterly reporting, and ongoing briefing content in coordination with the Alliances team and Head of Government Affairs.
• Supports team members to develop and manage impactful strategies toward outcome areas of focus for the Foundation

 Desired Skills and Experience

• 2-3 years’ experience working in a role requiring strong strategic research and analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate and use quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Ability to develop clear concise and impactful executive level presentations, meeting briefs and memos
• Exceptional written communication skills of critical analysis and confident communication of these ideas
• Ability to synthesize research and translate insights for a non-specialist audience
• Strong understanding of, and or experience in, government and philanthropic sectors
• Ability to engage appropriately with communities and beneficiaries, with cultural understanding
• Relevant undergraduate qualification or commensurate experience