Summary of program and its objectives:

The Research and Policy Centre is responsible for advancing the BSL’s mission to effect systemic policy change by undertaking qualitative and quantitative research to shed light on the impacts of social and economic inequality and inform policy advocacy and program development.

Reporting to Principal Research Fellow Work and Economic Security, this role will focus on two of the RPC’s priorities:

• Economic security and financial wellbeing
• Climate change and energy issues. 

The Work and Economic Security (WES) team undertakes research and policy analysis to inform policy and program innovation to foster sustainable inclusive employment and economic security. Its economic security agenda focuses on social security and financial wellbeing. Our understanding of financial wellbeing is articulated here. This role will also work with the Climate Change and Energy program (CC&E) which undertakes research, policy and advocacy to enable a fair transition to zero emissions and an end to energy poverty in Australia. 

Main responsibilities of the role:

A generous donation from the ANZ supports this role. Named after the Brotherhood’s Executive Director, who led the Brotherhood for 13 years, it recognises Mr. Nicholson’s many years of leadership in advocating for disadvantaged people throughout Australia.

Reporting to the Principal Research Fellow WES, the primary focus of the ANZ Tony Nicholson Research Fellow will be to undertake timely targeted analysis of large data sets to shed light on the impact of external shocks – like COVID-10 – on people’s financial wellbeing.  This analysis will contribute to quarterly reports and a major report.

The research fellow will also undertake policy relevant quantitative research that contributes to solutions to energy poverty, a fair transition to zero emissions or provides insight into the effectiveness of externally funded energy related projects. This will make up around 30% of the role and will be guided by the Principal Fellow, Climate Change and Energy. 

To meet the selection criteria, candidates will require:

Essential

• Post graduate qualifications statistics, econometrics or related discipline or equivalent mix of education and experience.
• A well-developed understanding of social and economic policy issues
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative analysis
• An understanding or capacity to quickly acquire understanding of the not-for-profit sector and the areas in which the BSL works
• Knowledge of relevant ethical data practices and codes ensuring privacy and confidentiality
• Peer reviewed publication are highly regarded
• Experience in a commercial consulting environment highly regarded
• Demonstrated understanding of statistical concepts sources and methods, including the role and importance of censuses and surveys
• Demonstrated experience in timely and rigorous policy relevant quantitative data analysis in a related role
• Strong writing skills including an ability to synthesise and translate complex and / or technical information to a diverse range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated project management and organisational skills, including the ability to plan workload, prioritise and meet deadlines
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships, advise and liaise with a broad range of people across all levels
• Ability to work autonomously, accept direction when needed, work effectively as part of a team to achieve outcomes
• A strategic mindset with a focus on delivering to stakeholder needs, proactively problem-solving and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• An understanding of and empathy with the values and ideals of the Brotherhood

This is a full time 12 month fixed-term contract position working 38 hours per week in Fitzroy. Salary will be in the range of $88,641.80 – $92,869.83 based on skills and experience plus superannuation. Attractive salary packaging provisions are available to increase take home pay. For further information, please contact Dina Bowman on 0418 310 551. To view a full position description, please click here. 

As part of the Brotherhood’s recruitment and selection process, applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks as required, applicants will be subject to, but not limited to, the following checks: National (and International if applicable) Police Check, Victorian Employee Working with Children Check, Right to Work in Australia, Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme Check and current professional registration.

The Brotherhood of St Laurence has a vision of an Australia free of Poverty. We embrace, and value, diversity of culture, working arrangements, sexual orientation and gender identity to ensure our workforce is representative of the community that we work within. We promote a workplace that actively seeks to include and welcome unique contributions of all people. We embrace and celebrate the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff, their skills and contribution to our organisation.