ABOUT UNIVERSITIES AUSTRALIA

Universities Australia (UA) is the voice of Australia’s universities. We work hard to ensure Australia has a strong higher education and research sector to support the nation’s future.

We champion the role universities play in generating vast social, economic and cultural value for the nation and the rest of the world. We advocate for higher education policy settings that are in the national interest.

On behalf of our 39 member universities, we actively collaborate with policy makers and political leaders at all levels of government, engage directly with the community and work closely with international partners to help support Australia’s world class university system.

THE TEAM

The Policy Analyst, Data Analytics sits within the Policy and Analysis team in Universities Australia. The team establishes the basis for all sectoral policy positions that underpin and drive the organisation’s advocacy activities. This team covers all aspects of higher education policy including:

• academic;
• corporate;
• copyright;
• health and workforce;
• international education;
• research and innovation; and
• safety and wellbeing.

Core responsibilities for all team members include research, analysis and coordination of activities including management of standing and ad hoc committees as well as other working groups. Team members produce policy documents such as submissions, Board papers, discussion papers, issue briefs, sectoral guidelines and other briefings. These documents are for Universities Australia members, senior staff, or for a range of other communication purposes.

THE ROLE

The Policy Analyst, Data Analytics takes responsibility for understanding other people’s problems, and then solves them with data. The successful applicant will contribute to data analysis and visualisations, submissions and advice to the Board and Executive, provides secretariat support for committees and other meetings and liaises with stakeholders including bodies and organisations inside and outside the university sector.

Reflecting the scope of the portfolio, the day-to-day work of the Policy Analyst, Data Analytics is varied, and requires capacity to learn new material quickly and to deal with several issues and projects at the same time.

From time to time, the role will require the successful applicant to gather information from members and synthesise it into policy relevant insights for government and other stakeholders.

• REPORTS TO Chief Economist
• DIRECT REPORTS None

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Passion for using data to solve problems and change minds
• Under the direction of the Chief Economist, and in collaboration with other team members, the Policy Analyst, Data Analytics will contribute to policy work in line with UA positions and priorities.
• Provide relevant data analysis to support broader economic and policy analysis across UA in pursuit of key organisational objectives.
• Track major domestic and international research and statistical releases and identify data and research outputs of relevance to UA’s policy advocacy.
• Prepare documents and materials for public dissemination incorporating relevant data on key statistics and trends relevant to higher education in Australia and overseas.
• Contribute to papers for the UA Plenary and Board and advice to the Executive.
• Draft submissions and other papers as required.
• Work with member-based working groups to support policy development and/or implementation as required.
• Provide secretariat support for:
  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor Corporate Committee; and
  • Time-limited and ad hoc Working Groups as required.
• Liaise with relevant stakeholders as required.
• Contribute to the development of a comprehensive evidence base
• Provide regular data updates that highlight the importance of universities to the economy and trends relevant to policy questions in higher education
• Designing and implementing member surveys, as required
• Assist other work teams as required.
• Other duties as directed.

SKILLS, EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Tertiary qualifications in relevant disciplines.
• Advanced skills in data analysis using Microsoft Excel (essential).
• Experience in managing large datasets using data or statistical packages e.g., Tableau, PowerBI (highly desirable).
• Demonstrated ability to synthesise large amount of information into policy-relevant insights.
• Demonstrated ability to explain data and insights to a non-expert audience, verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to take ownership of projects and drive outcomes.

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This role is an on-site role.

This is a full-time permanent, on-going position, based in Canberra with competitive salary packages offered based on qualifications and experience. As a not-for-profit organisation we can offer salary sacrificing options.

Applicants should lodge a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role and current CV.

Applications should be submitted on EthicalJobs.com.au via the Apply Now link.

If you meet the above requirements for this role please apply today!