Job Purpose

To provide research and quantitative analytical support to the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute.

Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Overview

Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Ltd ABN 15 631 965 985 is an independent not- for-profit approved research institute dedicated to conducting social and applied science research that will contribute to social, economic and political knowledge essential for a cohesive future for Australia. The SFRI seeks through research to see Australia advance as a welcoming, prosperous and cohesive nation particularly where this relates to the transition of migrants into Australian Society.

Key guiding principles of the SFRI are to:

• Contribute to and strengthen research and knowledge sharing and its relevance to encouraging positive action towards the wellbeing and prosperity of Australian society.
• Build on the Scanlon Foundation’s Social Cohesion Report compiled through Monash University which has become a highly regarded and valuable evidence base on Australia’s social cohesion.
• Inform policy discussion and development at a national and state level
• Empower organisations to be more effective and to make a stronger impact on social cohesion.
• Ensure research is relevant to Australia’s ability to respond to the future by learning from past success.

The development of networks and collaborations at the local community level to achieve shared purpose is a feature of our approach.

The need for the SFRI has grown due to an increasing attention on social cohesion across society, the development of different informal definitions of social cohesion and a lack of additional data beyond the Mapping Social Cohesion survey on the Australian experience. There is no other research institution that parallels the longstanding contribution that the Scanlon Foundation has made through its commissioned research into Australians perceptions of social cohesion (including its different elements and precursors), multiculturalism and trust in institutions and communities.

Qualifications

A university degree in the social sciences or research, with preference given to candidates who have completed or are undertaking post-graduate qualifications.

Experience

• Quantitative research skills, including the ability to analyse data sets using bi- variate or multi-variate analysis.
• Writing skills, including demonstrated experience interpreting data or other research findings and communicating results to non-academic audiences in the context of relevant policy discussions.
• Research into place-based experiences of local communities, with a particular focus on culturally diverse communities (migrants, refugees or new and emerging communities);
• Knowledge and experience in community engagement and communications;
• Expertise in reporting, presentations and consulting communications.
• Familiarity with relevant analytical software.

Duties

• Assist the SFRI in the production of regular publications, including the Social Cohesion Insights series and small area estimate reports.
• Analyse data sets, including the ABS Census and Mapping Social Cohesion data to identify trends relevant to Australia’s social cohesion.
• Interpret quantitative data in the context of relevant literature, policy discussions and other research.
• Communicate clearly and articulately research results through presentations and written publications in a way that is relevant and accessible to various audiences.
• Consult on research directions and undertake research as required; provide support for SFRI primary and applied research projects.
• Advise and oversee research methodology, sample management and data collection.

Selection Criteria

• Experience in, and knowledge of, social cohesion and migrant integration at the local and regional levels.
• Demonstrated competence in the use of a range of quantitative and qualitative analytical tools.
• The ability to talk to a range of research methods and data collection, to data sources and how you have approached their analysis to maximise their potential in addressing specific issues.
• Examples of written materials produced using research data for a range of audiences.

Reporting Relationships

The Scanlon Foundation Research Institute is seeking an experienced researcher who is interested in working in the field of social cohesion as the Institute establishes and grows its program of work as one of the foundational members of the team.

We work in a highly collaborative manner with internal staff and external national and international experts.

Supervisor: Anthea Hancocks, CEO, Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Team Lead: Trish Prentice, Senior Researcher

Governance: Scanlon Foundation Research Institute Research Committee

Position structure

• Flexible – part time to 0.8 FTE.
• The head office is located at 31/367 Collins St, Melbourne but we have worked with staff located in different States. We are more interested in finding the right person than where they live. We do value face to face interactions to foster team cohesion.
• We support work-life balance and a balance of in office and remote work.

Salary

A competitive salary will be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Contact

Questions should be directed to Anthea Hancocks at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Research Analyst enquiry via EthicalJobs.