• Full time $148,526 - $164,440 p.a. plus 11% superannuation
• Fixed Term contract until December 2024
• Work from home (Australia-wide)

Are you …

• an ECEC professional looking to join a team, passionate about improving education outcomes for Australian children?
• experienced managing project teams to develop evidence-based practical guidance, professional learning and resources and/or deliver research-informed policy advice?
• an independent and creative thinker with deep knowledge and networks across the ECEC sector?

If you answered yes to the above questions, then we want to hear from you.

Be part of Australia’s new education research organisation

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) is Australia’s national education evidence body. AERO is working towards excellent and equitable outcomes for all children and young people by generating and making high-quality evidence accessible, and enhancing the use of evidence in Australian education.

AERO brings together people who are passionate about evidence-informed policy and practice for schools and early childhood services. Our team is collegial, creative and committed to fulfilling AERO’s potential to make an impact. We value agile thinkers who can help shape AERO as a new, dynamic organisation, and team players who enjoy working across projects and in diverse, interdisciplinary teams. Many of our people have ongoing connections to research, policy and practice organisations, helping us to bridge the gap between evidence generation and translation.

For more information about AERO, please see https://edresearch.edu.au. 

Support the development of evidence-based practical guidance and/or policy advice

AERO is looking for two Principal Researchers to lead project teams that will generate and translate high-quality education research and policy analysis in ECEC into high-impact products for teachers, school leaders and policymakers.

One role will be responsible for leading a project team to design and deliver AERO’s research and guidance to systems, ECEC services, service leaders, teachers, and educators on effective practice in ECEC.

One role will be responsible for leading a project team to design and deliver AERO’s work aimed at providing actionable insights to systems through research, evaluation, and/or data analysis.

Essential requirements

• Experience working in research and/or policy teams to deliver complex, high-quality products under tight timelines and competing priorities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an ability to translate technical and complex information concisely for diverse audiences including policymakers, academics and school staff.
• Deep knowledge of the Australian education sector, including key stakeholders, policies and frameworks.
• Ability to critically consume research in academic journals and from other sources including think tanks, NGOs, consultancies and governments.
• Experience managing, supporting and developing staff to deliver organisational outcomes.
• Understanding of and experience in facilitating cross organisational collaboration.

Desirable

• Experience working in an ECEC service as an educator, teacher, or service leader.
• Qualifications in public policy, social sciences or another relevant discipline.

How to apply?

If you are in Australia and are an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or have unrestricted work rights in Australia, and believe you meet the requirements of the roles, we'd love to hear from you.

Please press "Apply Now" and respond with the following:

• A resume
• A cover letter describing your interest in and suitability for the role
• A yes/no response to Q1 below
• A brief (maximum 150 word) response to the Q2 below:

1. Do you have working rights (full or restricted) in Australia?
2. Can you tell us about a time when you led a team within an education system, sector or organisation to deliver a complex project with multiple internal and external stakeholders under tight timelines and competing priorities?

We will shortlist candidates as suitable applications are received, and may progress the recruitment process prior to this date. We therefore encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. AERO particularly welcomes applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

More information

Accountabilities:

• Leading the scoping, planning and designing of ECEC projects or similar and related projects aligned to AERO’s annual research agenda, and, through the life of a project, recalibrating strategic direction in response to opportunities and challenges.
• Facilitating collaboration within the team and with other divisions to undertake role accountabilities, with guidance and direction provided by the Program Director and Executive.
• Developing outputs and services that meet the needs of intended audiences, adhere to AERO's brand, processes and style, and are subjected to an appropriately thorough quality assurance process.
• Leading a team, including establishing and managing priorities, deliverables, timelines, budgets, staffing, and performance and development. Outputs and services may include education practitioner guidance, evaluation and research projects or policy advice for school systems and other actors interested in designing programs and policies to support students.
• Reporting regularly on progress to meet internal communications and external compliance requirements.
• Working with other AERO teams, ensure a stakeholder engagement and communications strategy is planned and executed to achieve project objectives, including identifying key stakeholders, and planning how to engage and influence them in pursuit of these objectives.
• Providing advice and expertise to AERO teams as required.
• Establishing and maintaining strong relationships with key internal and external stakeholders while ensuring AERO’s broader objectives and needs are kept in consideration.

For more information email [email protected] using the subject line: Principal Researchers x2 - Work from Home / Australia Only enquiry via EthicalJobs.