Role Summary

The research and impact Director is part of NIYEC’s executive leadership team and will be responsible for the overall design and delivery of NIYEC’s research, evaluation and impact work. This role will lead NIYEC’s monitoring and evaluation systems, ensuring our overall programs are aligned with and delivering on our strategic plan, and providing real value and impact with the communities we work with.

About NIYEC

NIYEC brings together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, of different passions and experiences, to reclaim our Indigenous rights and drive a new generation of learning for the future of our Nations. We aim to mobilise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth to drive a new education ecosystem where we can govern and self-determine an education of our own design, for the future of our Nations.

Role Responsibilities

1. Program delivery

• Collaborate with the NIYEC team to support program design, including the development of program logics.
• Oversee the design, delivery, and management of NIYEC’s program the Education Justice Lab, and other initiatives where needed.
• Manage budgets and administration of research, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
• Identify, manage, and mitigate risks associated with program activities to ensure successful delivery.

2. Monitoring and evaluation

• Lead the management, monitoring, and evaluation of NIYEC’s theory of change to ensure alignment with organisational goals.
• Develop and implement data collection tools for use across programs.
• Train and support NIYEC staff in M&E processes and ensure their ongoing capacity building.
• Align NIYEC’s internal systems with M&E reporting tools to support seamless data collection and analysis.
• Evaluate program outcomes, outputs, and impact to inform decision-making and improve program delivery.
• Develop and co-design annual impact reports.

3. Research and partnership management

• Develop research collaborations with young people, academics, and external stakeholders to guide policy, program, and advocacy work.
• Maintain and grow partnerships with research institutions and community collaborators.
• Lead the development of NIYEC’s research framework and translate findings into actionable strategies.
• Support donor engagement and fundraising activities to ensure sustainable program delivery, including contributing to grant writing and reporting.
• Translate and communicate NIYEC research to a broad range of stakeholders.
• Utilise NIYEC research to develop submissions to key policy reviews both domestically and internationally in line with NIYEC’s framework for research and overall theory of change.

4. Leadership and Workplace Culture

• Supervise and mentor direct reports, supporting their professional development and ensuring alignment with organisational objectives.
• Foster a collaborative, supportive, and culturally safe team environment to ensure collective success.
• Provide technical guidance in program design, implementation, and evaluation to strengthen team capacity.
• Represent NIYEC at public-facing events, conferences, and forums as needed to advocate for our vision and programs.

About you

This is an identified role suitable for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only. The filling of this position is intended to constitute a special opportunity measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and s 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and s 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vc)

The National Indigenous Youth Education Coalition considers that being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 26(3) or s 28 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).

Key Selection Criteria

• Demonstrated experience in program design, delivery, and evaluation. Proven ability to develop and implement complex programs, including experience creating program logics, managing budgets and overseeing delivery.
• Strong expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks and practices. Experience leading M&E activities, including the development of data collection tools, staff training, and impact evaluation.
• Proven research and policy translation skills. Experience designing and managing collaborative research projects, particularly with young people and diverse stakeholders. Demonstrated capacity to translate research findings into funding proposals and advocacy materials.
• Exceptional stakeholder engagement and partnership development. Ability to build and maintain strategic partnerships with research institutions, community organisations, and funders. Experience contributing to donor engagement, grant writing, and reporting to support sustainable program delivery.
• Leadership and team management capabilities. Experience supervising and mentoring staff, providing technical guidance, and fostering a safe and inclusive workplace.
• Excellent communication and representation skills. Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop impact reports, present research, and represent the organisation at public events and forums with professionalism and authenticity.

For further information, or a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Hayley McQuire on [email protected] using the subject line: Director Research and Impact (Identified Position) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.