ABOUT THE ROLE

This role within Children by Choice covers the design, implementation and evaluation of various research projects. Functions include providing support in areas such as instrumentation, data management and general administration.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Enact research priorities of the organisation by working with Children by Choice staff and management committee to develop research directions/priorities/projects
• Collaborate with Children by Choice staff, and/or external research collaborators
• Design and conduct qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research projects
• Undertake literature searches and reviews

• Apply for or review ethics approvals for research projects and ensure that all research complies with ethical guidelines
• Prepare data for analysis in accordance with the research protocols
• Provide study design, power and sample size, analysis plan, recruitment, and budget estimates for analytical aspects of the study
• Conduct analyses using appropriate software (I.e., SPSS, NVIVO)
• Draft interim and final reports, presentations, abstracts, manuscript submissions, and grant applications
• Communicate literature review findings, results and implications for practice to Collaborators, Children by Choice staff, Management Committee and key stakeholders
• Prepare data sets and other materials for public use as per governmental policy regulations (i.e. Privacy Act).

General

• Collaborate effectively with other team members, including working together on shared projects, staff meetings and day to day activities. Assist and support colleagues when they may be experiencing a high demand period
• Contribute to a positive organisational culture
• Operate within a feminist framework and adhere to the approved Decision Making Principles
• Maintain and apply current knowledge of the evidence and best practice, and work with the CEO to identify and participate in skills development appropriate to the role and annual work plan
• Plan time effectively to manage competing demands, including work/ life balance
• Assist the CEO to report effectively to management committee and stakeholders
• Observe Children by Choice policies and procedures
• Contribute to Children by Choice’s collective efforts, including strategic planning, position papers and public events.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Commitment to the vision, mission, values and objectives of Children by Choice Association Incorporated, including feminist practice and a woman’s right to choose abortion

• Previous research experience, preferably in the area of sexual and reproductive or women’s health, using qualitative and quantitative methodologies;
• Proven ability in data analysis including the use of programs such as SPSS, NVIVO and MS Excel/Word
• Ability to engage in scholarly writing including high quality articles for publication in academic journals
• Experience in research project management and evaluation involving internal and external stakeholders including managing deadlines and budgets
• Experience coordinating, developing, delivering specified research tasks and projects accurately with strong attention to detail
• Highly developed communication skills, including written, verbal, presentation and facilitation skills as well as high levels of self-managed organisation
• Ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously where required
• Tertiary qualification in psychology, social work, education, community development, public health, or similar.

Desirable

• Knowledge in sexual and reproductive health issues, especially abortion
• Successful grant application and funding proposal experience
• Experience in participatory research design.

ORGANISATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

The organisation is led by a voluntary Management Committee of professionals, elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Management Committee is responsible for the governance of the organisation and also provides expert opinion on operational matters. The position is one of a team of paid professionals and unpaid volunteers who are dedicated to achieving the objectives of Children by Choice. The team is led by the CEO, who the reports directly to the Management Committee. The team work collaboratively to deliver quality, evidence-based information and services. The organisation’s strategic plan and annual reports are available at childrenbychoice.org.au.

Contact Daile Kelleher, Chief Executive Officer on 07 3357 9933 (ext 1) or at [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Research Assistant enquiry via EthicalJobs for queries.

A position description is attached.