• Rare qualitative research opportunity with Australia’s leading social research provider
• Utilise your qualitative expertise and passion to work on a range of public and social research and evaluation studies for government, academic and not-for-profit clients
• Full-time permanent position, based in Melbourne’s CBD near Flagstaff Gardens

Established in 2000, the Social Research Centre is Australia’s leading provider of social research and evaluation services and is dedicated to conducting world-class research that informs decision-making and advances our understanding of Australian society. As a wholly owned subsidiary of the Australian National University (ANU), we enjoy unprecedented access to ANU researchers and ANU’s world-class research environment.

We have an opportunity for a Research Consultant to join our dedicated Qualitative Research Unit at our Melbourne CBD office, reporting to the Executive Director of Qualitative Research. In this role, a Research Consultant will be responsible for managing multiple projects on a day-to-day basis (including working with disadvantaged / vulnerable groups, utilising longitudinal designs and mixed-methods approaches) with some support from senior team members.

Research Consultants will have a detailed understanding of the full range of qualitative approaches and their appropriate use as well as strong core qualitative research skills, including client engagement, research design and proposal writing, sample design, leading approaches to qualitative data coding, management, analysis and reporting, independently running focus groups and in-depth interviews (and other qualitative approaches) and design of discussion guides and other materials.

Your responsibilities in this role will include:

• Business development activities, including identifying new opportunities, drafting and proofing proposals and material, development of methodological processes, and keeping abreast of key client activities;
• Client servicing, including identifying and resolving any project issues or questions, communications involving project budget performance, attending client meetings and assisting to maintain positive client relationships;
• Project management, including the monitoring timelines and budgets, liaising with accounts and invoicing, facilitation and/or participation in project reviews;
• Research design, including translating conceptual framework into a workable research design, drafting discussion guides, conducting background support work, the creation of research materials such as information sheets, consent forms and proformas, and preparation of ethics applications;
• Fieldwork, including conducting research on sensitive and complex issues with a range of stakeholders, running workshops, moderating focus groups, moderating online bulletin boards, transcript preparation, recruitment of research respondents, and other administration-related fieldwork support;
• Analysis and reporting, including drafting report structure, analysis of data, lead authorship of research reports, develop critical thinking and providing recommendations, ensuring findings are evidence-based, preparation and/or delivery of findings and technical reports to clients, and writing and proofreading reports for a range of audiences;
• Overall contribution to the success of the Qualitative Research Unit.

Key Selection Criteria:

• Undergraduate qualifications in a relevant discipline (e.g. social sciences, psychology, sociology, public health). Postgraduate qualifications desirable.
• 3-6 years’ experience in a social, government or market research environment (including some experience in a commercial setting, and client facing environment) with substantial experience in qualitative research. Experience in evaluation is advantageous.
• Experience in conducting qualitative research with a wide range of stakeholders, including the analysis and reporting of qualitative data. Experience in working on social research projects with vulnerable or at-risk groups or on sensitive issues is advantageous.
• A passion for qualitative research and the pursuit of high quality, rigorous approaches to research and evaluation.
• Excellent project management skills, and the ability to work across multiple projects, under pressure and to tight timelines.
• Business development experience, including exposure to writing proposals and responding to invitations to tender.
• Excellent communication skills and a high level of skill in written and oral communications (letters, reports and other documents, presentations).
• Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and software such as NVivo.
• Good team player but with the ability to work independently and to take initiative where necessary.
• A genuine interest in further developing a career in social, health or public policy research.

Due to the nature of the position, some out-of-standard hours (including evenings and weekends) and overnight travel will be necessary to fulfil this role. A full, clean driving licence is essential.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo a Working with Children Check and a Police Check prior to commencement.