Principal Research Officer

Department of the Senate; South Canberra; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of the Senate is seeking applications for the role of Principal Research Officer in the Committee Office. You will undertake major research and analysis for inquiries, draft reports and briefing materials, and may act as committee secretary during hearings.

The role involves liaising with senators, witnesses and the public, mentoring staff, and supporting interstate committee activities. The position requires a strong understanding of parliamentary practice, effective writing

Qualifications

• Desirable: Relevant tertiary qualifications (or progress towards tertiary qualifications)

Responsibilities

• Undertake major research and analysis for committee inquiries, producing draft reports, briefing papers and background material.
• Assist the committee secretary in the planning and management of all aspects of committee inquiries, including the organisation and conduct of public hearings.
• Manage individual inquiries or aspects of committee business and act as committee secretary when required.
• Contribute to the effective management of the committee secretariat, including mentoring other members and knowledge-sharing activities.
• Provide advice and information to committees and liaise with senators' offices, witnesses and the public on committee business.

Job description

The Department of the Senate is seeking applications from those interested in joining the Committee Office, in the role of Principal Research Officer.

Principal Research Officers work as part of a committee secretariat team to undertake major research, analysis and drafting for committee inquiries, including the preparation of briefing papers, background material and draft reports for committee consideration. They are expected to take carriage of inquiries and significant aspects of committee business, support and mentor other members of the secretariat, and act as committee secretary, including during committee hearings, as required. They may need to work reasonable additional hours during peak work times, assist other secretariat teams from time to time, and travel interstate to support committee hearings and other committee activities.

Principal Research Officers regularly liaise with senators and their staff, witnesses, public servants and representatives of external organisations. They must be able to produce high-quality written work under pressure, manage competing priorities, exercise sound judgement and contribute to the effective delivery of committee activities, including local and interstate hearings and other committee proceedings. They require a strong understanding of parliamentary practice and procedure and the role of parliamentary committees, or the demonstrated ability to acquire and apply such an understanding.

The key duties of the position include:

• Undertake major research and analysis for committee inquiries, producing draft reports, briefing papers and background material.
• Assist the committee secretary in the planning and management of all aspects of committee inquiries, including the organisation and conduct of public hearings.
• Manage individual inquiries or aspects of committee business and act as committee secretary when required.
• Contribute to the effective management of the committee secretariat, including supporting and mentoring other members of the secretariat, and contribute to learning, development and knowledge-sharing activities within the Committee Office.
• Provide advice and information to committees and liaise with senators' offices, witnesses, officials and the general public on committee business.
• Develop and apply strong knowledge of Senate procedure and parliamentary law and practice, particularly in relation to the work of committees.
• Complete corporate and administrative tasks in a timely manner, including maintaining committee records in accordance with parliamentary and departmental recordkeeping obligations. Contribute to the executive leadership of the Committee Office.

Eligibility

Desirable

Relevant tertiary qualifications (or progress towards tertiary qualifications)

Getting to know the Department of the Senate

The Department of the Senate provides the secretariat to the Senate – enabling its legislative and accountability activities – and to dozens of parliamentary committees, whose work encompasses the Senate’s scrutiny functions and its exercise of Parliament’s broad inquiry powers.In doing so, departmental officers provide the Senate, its committees, the President and other senators expert, impartial advice about Senate and committee operations.We publish the Senate’s records, and produce an array of information resources so that people may understand and engage in its work. With our colleagues across the Parliamentary Service we also provide specialised advice and logistical support to senators so they may undertake their duties.

The Department of the Senate is committed to being an inclusive employer. We aim to provide a supportive, flexible, and fair workplace that recognises the diversity within the Australian community, where all employees feel respected, valued and supported to best contribute to our work. We encourage applications from First Nations’ people, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, those who identify as LGBTIQA+, mature aged employees and people with caring responsibilities.