Senior Research and Evaluation Officer

The Smith Family is a children's education charity that helps young Australians experiencing disadvantage to create better futures for themselves through harnessing the power of education.

• Manage and lead nationally significant research and evaluation projects 
• Flexible location (Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Darwin)
• Temporary full-time position for 2 years

We are currently seeking a temporary full-time Senior Research and Evaluation Officer to join our team. The role offers a hybrid work balance and a flexible location.

Reporting to the National Manager Research and Evaluation, you will make a significant contribution to longitudinal research and evaluation studies focused on the educational outcomes of young people experiencing disadvantage. This is an exciting career opportunity for an experienced researcher to develop and grow their research skills while making an impact. With continued commitment to improving student outcomes through our evidence based programs, there has never been a more important time to contribute to The Smith Family's vision by leading high-quality, meaningful and impactful research.

About our role

You will be responsible for:

• Effectively and efficiently leading and managing multiple longitudinal quantitative research and evaluation projects including scope and design; development and implementation of project and data management systems; and analysis and interpretation of longitudinal quantitative data.
• Producing milestone, annual and final project, research, and evaluation reports.
• Developing research briefing papers, presentations, and advocacy materials.
• Developing and maintaining internal and external relationships aimed at developing and undertaking research and evaluation projects.

About you

Given the scope and importance of this role, we are looking for a person who has demonstrated workplace experience on research and/or evaluation projects. Ideally, you will have a solid understanding of contemporary social policy issues relating to the education of children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. You will have strong quantitative analytic skills in Stata or a similar package, with excellent attention to detail. You will be highly organised and be able to manage multiple competing priorities and tight time frames.

• Relevant tertiary qualifications
• Extensive experience in completing complex applied quantitative research and evaluation in the government, non-government, or academic sectors
• Extensive experience in producing research and evaluation materials
• Extensive experience working at the research-policy-practice interface
• Outstanding high level communication skills, both written and verbal, including an ability to communicate complex research outputs to a variety of audiences
• Strong interpersonal skills and natural ability to influence

About our culture

The Smith Family has our team members at the centre of our values and operations. We nurture a supportive and inclusive culture that enables people to achieve personal and professional goals, through collaboration and innovation. With a proven work-life balance, wellbeing and health are our top priorities. Enjoy many other benefits, such as tax concessions and flexible working arrangements.

If you are passionate about what you do, committed to make a difference and this sounds like your next role, please click apply, we'd love to hear from you. You may view the position description by copying and pasting the following link to your browser https://static.ethicaljobs.com.au/media/1726614414_wDC5y_.pdf 

For more information, contact Kirsten Hancock, National Manager, Research and Evaluation at kirsten.hancock@thesmithfamily.com.au.

Closing date: 11 October 2024

Due to the nature of this role, the successful candidate must be prepared to undertake a National Police Check and a Working with Children's Check. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to principles of cultural diversity. Applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent are encouraged.