• Full time, 12 months fixed term
• Salary Level HEW 8 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
• Based at the Melbourne CBD campus undertake project, research and advocacy activities in line with the Centre’s research strategy, with a focus on family violence, crime victimisation, as well as women and children's contact with the criminal justice system.

About RMIT

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 95,000 students and 10,000 staff globally. RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online programs to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways.

Our purpose is to offer life-changing experiences for our students, and to help shape the world with research, innovation, teaching and industry engagement. With strong industry connections forged over 130 years, collaboration with industry remains integral to RMIT’s leadership in education, applied and innovative research, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates.

Our Culture

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together.

Imagination. Agility. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion.

What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other.

Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices.

About You

As the Senior Advisor, Research & Advocacy, you will undertake project, research and advocacy activities in line with the Centre’s research strategy working under the direction of the Associate Director, Research, Advocacy & Policy.  

 This role will see you assist the Associate Director by developing and implementing specific strands of the CIJ’s research program; identifying and monitoring emerging trends and developments in innovative justice; leading the preparation of grant applications as well as applications for ethics approval in a range of contexts; supporting the co-ordination and conduct of research activities; drafting submissions to inquiries and; and assisting in the production of high quality written publications on behalf of the Centre.  

You will also have responsibility for the day to day running of projects, liaise with stakeholders and represent the CIJ at stakeholder meetings and forums. This may include public speaking engagements. 

To be successful in this position, you will have:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications in Public Policy, Social Sciences, Law or related fields or proven experience in a similar role.
• Demonstrated high level experience in complex research, policy analysis and policy development in a field or fields relating to the work of the Centre, including a track record of producing high quality written publications and influencing policy outcomes. 
• Demonstrated experience in research, including literature reviews, preparation of applications for ethics approvals, data collection and analysis, both qualitative and quantitative.  
• Demonstrated working knowledge of the process of law reform, including government, legislative and political processes, stakeholder engagement, advocacy and public interest litigation. 
• Demonstrated ability in working on complex policy and political issues at a high level. 
• Demonstrated understanding of contemporary issues impacting the justice system, and good knowledge of the network of public, private and community institutions and agencies constituting the justice system. 
• Experience in the law reform process and a commitment to social justice and human rights and promotion of innovative strategies for delivering justice. 
• Highly developed inter-personal skills with the ability to maintain effective working relations, demonstrable and exemplary communication skills - both oral and written, including the ability to translate complex ideas into language suitable for a variety of audiences. 
• Well-developed organisational and co-ordination skills and demonstrated experience in strategic planning, governance arrangements, public relations, and strategic communications. 
• Demonstrated ability to think analytically and to work in a self-directed environment as well as part of a team, and capacity to work across disciplines and organisational boundaries.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

About the Centre for Innovative Justice

The Centre was established in 2012 to research, teach and promote better ways of delivering justice, both through formal court processes and within and across the broader justice system.

The Centre’s objective is to drive, develop and expand the capacity of the justice system to meet and adapt to the needs of its diverse users and to contribute in a positive way to addressing the underlying issues that bring people into contact with the justice system. Our team of experienced multi-disciplinary researchers and practitioners seek to develop solutions to complex problems through research and innovation that is strategic, accessible and practical. Our approach is centred on the experiences of affected individuals and communities and brings stakeholders together to work collaboratively on designing solutions.

The Centre’s work includes research on family violence, victim services, women and children’s contact with the criminal justice system, restorative justice and disability in the criminal justice system, as well as the application of human-centred design to legal issues and processes. The CIJ includes Open Circle, a service that provides restorative justice consultancy and research as well as delivering restorative justice conferences.

The CIJ is co-located at RMIT University’s Social Innovation Hub with two community legal centres – Youth Law and the Law and Advocacy Centre for Women – providing opportunities for research to practice, and practice to research insights.

To Apply 

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply Now’ link below.

For further information about this position, please see Position Description below or contact Elena Campbell via email [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Advisor - Research & Advocacy enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A complete Position Description is attached below.

Bring Your Whole Self to Work 

We are better for our diversity. When we listen to those who are different to us, or challenge us, we grow stronger together. When we feel like we belong, we can achieve so much more. We respect each other, embrace our differences and build a sense of belonging in our team and beyond.  

 We are proud that our dedication to diversity has been recognised by a broad spectrum of external organisations. Visit our Linkedin Life pages to learn more and see some of our most recent wins. 

RMIT has a strong dhumbali (commitment) to the employment, development and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within a culturally safe environment; we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

 RMIT is a Disability Confident Recruitment Team and we are happy to adjust the recruitment process for your accessibility requirements. Please contact us at [email protected] telling us your preferred type of communication and we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your requirements. 

 RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. 

 Please note that whilst we still accept applications from any persons interested in our roles, due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications from those with current working rights in Australia and who are not affected by travel restrictions.

Please see the latest updates to Australia’s immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak.

 Vaccination Requirements 

The COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions, made under the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) and as amended and replaced from time to time (Directions), affect all persons employed or engaged to perform work by RMIT. 

 As such, offers of employment from RMIT are conditional upon the applicant being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or medically exempt and providing satisfactory evidence of the same. You can access the Directions here. 

We are a 2021 Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant.