• 0.6 to 1.0 EFT (3-5 days per week as negotiated)
• 6 - 9 month contract 
• Salary range pro rata $80,675 to $93,530

The Youth Coalition of ACT

The Youth Coalition is the peak youth affairs body in the ACT. As a membership-based organisation, the Youth Coalition is responsible for representing and promoting the rights, interests and wellbeing of the estimated 78,000 young Canberrans aged 12-25 years and those who work with them.

Position Objectives

The Youth Coalition has received funding from the ACT Government to work with community organisations to begin addressing the gap in supports for children and young people under the age of 16 who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Over the next 12 months, the Youth Coalition will support these organisations to commence service delivery with young people and their families; and design a longer-term integrated service model to meet their needs.

This research and project manager is an integral position that will support the community organisations involved in the project and lead the research and development for the ongoing service model.

Key Areas of Responsibility

As a part of the Youth Coalition team, and in collaboration with the Executive Director, this project management position will:

• Undertake research and data collection with service providers, children and young people at risk of or experiencing homelessness to ascertain the scope and nature of this social issue
• Implement workforce development and advocacy to improve the supports and services for children, young people and families
• Collect, collate and analyse existing research and evidence to increase the knowledge base and inform program and policy development
• Liaise with and report to key stakeholders including government, service providers and services users
• Develop professional reports, including work plans, research findings and consultations
• Oversee and assist planning and implementation of forums, networks, meetings and activities to facilitate the exchange of information, skills and ideas
• Liaise with the Executive Director and staff team regarding project planning, budgets and other duties to ensure the smooth management of projects

Other duties consistent with the position and as directed from time to time by the immediate manager.

Key Selection Criteria

• Excellent research skills with relevant qualifications and experience conducting qualitative research with vulnerable young people
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including demonstrated ability to communicate about difficult and sensitive issues, to establish and maintain rapport with research participants, and write reports to funding bodies
• Skill to consult, negotiate with and gain co-operation and assistance from a broad range of stakeholders
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team to achieve project goals and meet agreed deadlines
• Well-developed organisations skills to achieve position objectives within resources and timeframe requirements, excellent time management skills and the ability to undertake tasks without close supervision. This would include tasks such as: organise and facilitate meetings as well as develop meeting agendas and minutes
• Well-developed computer skills including the use of data collection and analysis. This includes analysis tools (e.g. spreadsheets, databases), documentation tools (e.g. Word processing) and project management tools, and other research tools such as EndNote, NVivo

A full Position Description is attached below.