Join Our Team at ACWA - Association of Children's Welfare Agencies Limited

ACWA is looking to recruit a Research Officer or Principal Researcher to fill a vacancy within or organisation.

We are able to be flexible with the role and would be looking for either an entry level new graduate, or a researcher with 2-5 years experience. The Principal Researcher role would be a leadership position, with applicants having had management experience in the sector.

Applications are to be sent to Dr Wendy Foote: Wendy@acwa.asn.au by April 16, with interviews to be conducted on April 19 and 20. See below for further details:

Position Description: Principal Researcher

Type of Position: Full time or part time fixed term contract

Reports to: Deputy CEO

Supervises: Developing Practice editor, Policy and Membership officers in undertaking specific research projects, research and policy interns, tertiary students undertaking placements with ACWA

Location:  699 George Street, Sydney

Purpose of the position
This position is responsible for carrying out, advising and collaborating in undertaking research in key areas of policy and practice that affect the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families. The position is located within the Policy and Membership team of ACWA. Main areas of research include out of home care, child protection and issues relating to child, youth and family wellbeing and evaluation. The research carried out will enhance ACWA’s role as an advocacy body committed to representing the rights of vulnerable children, young people and their families and be consistent with the ACWA Strategic Directions Implementation plan.

Key responsibilities

To take a leadership role in the area of research – in the identification of key areas of research development in ACWA and in implementation.
In conjunction with the D/CEO, identify strategic research projects including in assisting members in the development of evaluation of their own services, and data collection.
Critically appraise and provide advice to the D/CEO on strategic and operational priorities for ACWA.
Oversee the conduct of research and evaluation projects where qualified researchers have been recruited as well as manage and evaluating their performance
Manage specific projects and their staff to ensure that outcomes are achieved and within required timelines
Oversee the production of Developing Practice, ensuring the reputation and quality of the journal is protected and enhanced.
Responsible for ensuring ethical standards are maintained, including the development of applications to relevant ethics committees
Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, providing research expertise and support in approaching and implementing research design
Design research approaches that will best suit the ACWA practice and policy environment with its systemic oversight of the sector
Develop approaches to supporting members to develop a body of evidence relating to outcomes for children and young people in care
Work collaboratively with practice content experts in research, policy and practice on key areas
Develop strategic relationship with other research institutions
Develop and implement strategies for the dissemination of research   Contribute to ACWA’s Best Practice Unit (BPU) planning and deliverables.
Assist with, advise on service mapping and identification of gaps in data, knowledge and service
Timely delivery of administrative reporting, including but not limited to timesheets and invoices
In consultation with the policy and membership team, develop an approach to scoping, and tracking projects and work
Supervise staff as required
Other tasks as required.

Contacts
Internal Contacts: CEO, D/CEO, Policy and Membership team, Director CCWT
External Contacts: Relevant university staff, government and non-government staff, ACWA’s partners,  relevant ACWA members

Personal Requirements

Education/Qualifications and experience:
Post Graduate qualifications in a relevant area e.g. social policy, social science, public policy that include a social research focus

Essential Skills:

High ability to contribute to a positive team culture and to collaborate in research projects with relevant stakeholders
High level ability to conceptualise methods of inquiry in a policy and practice environment
High level ability to analyse research findings, submissions, position papers
High ability to meet to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
High ability to monitor research agendas, policy trends and data collection strategies
High ability to provide advice to ACWA on the Association’s research agenda and specific proposals/projects
Demonstrated ability to analyse the body of knowledge relating to key areas
Demonstrated skills and track record in undertaking original research independently
Ability to discuss and debate policy and research issues in child, youth and family welfare
Ability to develop links between relevant peak bodies, tertiary institutions and agencies.

Work Experience:

Minimum three years experience in a similar position
Demonstrated expertise in research design in qualitative and quantitative  methods
Managerial research and industry experience
Track record in collaboration with research partners including academics
Track record in publications, grant writing
Track record in analysis of research findings for training, policy development and practice implementation.

Position Description: Research Officer

Type of Position: Full time or part time fixed term contract

Reports to: Deputy CEO

Supervises: Policy and Membership officers in undertaking specific research projects

Location:  699 George Street, Sydney

Purpose of the position
This position is responsible for advising on research issues, translating implications for research findings to practice, and collaborating in undertaking research in key areas of policy and practice that affect the health and wellbeing of children, young people and families. The position is located within the Policy and Membership team of ACWA. Main areas of research include out of home care, child protection and issues relating to child, youth and family wellbeing and evaluation. The research carried out will enhance ACWA’s role as an advocacy body committed to representing the rights of vulnerable children, young people and their families and be consistent with the ACWA Strategic Directions Implementation plan.

Key responsibilities

Take a role in the area of identifying and managing research knowledge – in the identification of key findings and how these translate to policy and membership issues and implementation
Critically appraise and provide advice to the D/CEO on strategic and operational priorities for ACWA
Contribute to the conduct of research and evaluation projects where qualified researchers have been recruited
Manage specific projects to ensure that outcomes are achieved and within required timelines
Contribute to the production of Developing Practice, when required
Be responsible for ensuring ethical standards are maintained, including  the development of applications to relevant ethics committees
Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, providing research expertise and support in approaching and implementing research design
In collaboration with the D/CEO and other ACWA staff design research approaches that will best suit the ACWA practice and policy environment with its systemic oversight of the sector
Develop approaches to supporting members to develop a body of evidence relating to outcomes for children and young people in care
Work collaboratively with practice content experts in research, policy and practice on key areas
Under the supervision of the D/CEO, develops strategic relationship with other research institutions
Develop and implement strategies for the dissemination of research findings
  Contribute to ACWA’s Best Practice Unit (BPU) planning and deliverables
Assist with, advise on service mapping and identification of gaps in data,  knowledge and service
Delivery of administrative reporting, including contributions to deliverables, timesheets and invoices
In consultation with the policy and membership team, develop an approach to scoping, and tracking projects and work.

Personal Requirements

Education/Qualifications and experience:
Post Graduate qualifications in a relevant area e.g. social policy, social science, public policy that include a social research focus

Key Skills/Essential:

Demonstrated ability to contribute positively to a productive team culture and collaborate in research projects with relevant stakeholders
Demonstrated ability to conceptualise methods of inquiry in a policy and practice environment
Demonstrated ability to analyse research findings, submissions, position papers
Demonstrated ability to meet to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
An ability to monitor research agendas, policy trends and data collection strategies
An ability to provide advice to ACWA on the Association’s research agenda and specific proposals/projects.

Desirable:

Demonstrated skills and track record in undertaking original research independently
Ability to discuss and debate policy and research issues in child, youth and family welfare
Ability to develop links between relevant peak bodies, tertiary institutions and agencies would be an advantage.
Demonstrated ability to analyse the body of knowledge relating to key areas
The ability to supervise research and policy interns, tertiary students undertaking placements with ACWA would be well regarded.

Work Experience:

Minimum two – five years experience in a similar position. Consideration will also be given to entry-level recent Post Graduate students who demonstrate the ability to work independently and a high aptitude for the work.
Demonstrated expertise in research design in qualitative and quantitative methods
Research and industry experience
Ability to collaborate with research partners including academics
Ability to write at the level required for publication or grant writing
Track record in analysis of research findings for training, policy development and practice implementation.