Research Coordinator - Identified Position

RGIT Australia; Alice Springs; On-site; AUD 45,000 - 55,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options

Relocation support for eligible

Job summary

Purple House is looking for a Research Coordinator to support community consultation, data collection and engagement with First Nations communities. You will work with the Senior Research Officer and the Purple House Research Committee to ensure culturally safe research design and dissemination.

You will help strengthen governance, draft guidelines, and contribute to reports for the Board. Travel to remote communities and coordination duties are required.

Qualifications

• Experience in First Nations research or evaluation.
• Understanding of ethical considerations and culturally appropriate research practices.
• Ability to travel to remote communities.
• Excellent communication and listening skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders and organisations.
• Good organisational skills and ability to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Provide cultural guidance on research activities embedding First Nations voices.
• Communicate culturally safe research practices to stakeholders.
• Co-lead development of Purple House Research Priority Framework and Guidelines.
• Identify partners, collaborators and funding opportunities for research projects.
• Coordinate secretariat functions and participate in Research Committee.
• Support governance processes and maintain research register and reporting.
• Engage research participants following approved processes and cultural protocols.
• Contribute to reports and dissemination to communities in accessible ways.
• Develop resources and materials to support staff and partners.

Skills

First Nations research

Cross-cultural communication

Stakeholder engagement

Data management

Driver Licence

Travel readiness

Education

Relevant qualification in research or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Research Coordinator - Identified Position

Alice Springs, Northern Territory 0870, Australia • A$46.06 - A$47.98

Part-time Permanent Associate

Posted 08 Sep 2026

Description

This is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Identified Position.

About Purple House

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with renal failure, reunite families and reduce the impact of kidney disease in our communities. We are run by Aboriginal people for Aboriginal people and work to provide culturally appropriate health, aged care and general support services in regional and remote communities, helping people to get home to country and family.

About the Role

Working with the Senior Research Officer and Purple House Research Committee, the Research Coordinator will support community consultation, participant engagement, data collection and other research activities. A key part of the role will be fostering meaningful partnerships with researchers, research institutions and community organisations, to ensure cultural safety is central to research design, delivery and dissemination of findings.

The Research Coordinator will also help strengthen research governance and coordination at Purple House. This will include supporting the development of Purple House research guidelines, providing secretariat support to and participating in the Purple House Research Committee, and contributing to research reporting to the Board of Directors.

Key responsibilities

• Provide cultural guidance on research activities at Purple House, ensuring First Nations voices and approaches to research are embedded throughout.
• Communicate culturally safe research practices clearly to internal and external stakeholders.
• Co-lead a consultation process to develop the Purple House Research Priority Framework, and Purple House Research Guidelines engaging Purple House Directors, patients, and staff.
• Support Purple House to develop and lead its own research projects, including identifying suitable partners, collaborators, and funding opportunities.
• Coordinate the secretariat function and participate in the Purple House Research Committee.
• Support research governance processes, including reviewing expressions of interest, maintaining the research register, reporting, and ensuring alignment of projects with Purple House’s research priorities.
• Assist with engaging research participants in accordance with approved processes and cultural protocols.
• Support community consultations and gathering research information through focus groups, interviews, surveys and other agreed activities.
• Assist with recording, organising and securely maintaining research information and documentation.
• Assist with communicating research information and findings back to communities in accessible and culturally appropriate ways.
• Develop and maintain research resources, tools and materials that support staff, First Nations communities and research partners to understand and participate in culturally safe and appropriate research.
• Travel to remote communities and other Purple House locations when required.
• Participate in research meetings, training, workshops and project activities as required.
• Represent Purple House at relevant research forums, networking events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Identify opportunities to enhance Purple House’s research capacity, with a focus on supporting First Nations staff to participate in research activities and training.
• Undertake other reasonable duties related to research and community engagement as required.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience in First Nations research and/or evaluation, with a strong understanding of ethical considerations and culturally appropriate research practices.
• Strong understanding of First Nations cultures, communities, cultural protocols and ways of working.
• Well-developed communication and listening skills, with demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with First Nations people, families and communities
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders, including researchers, research institutions, funding bodies and community organisations.
• Ability to manage culturally sensitive and confidential information respectfully and appropriately.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Sound written communication and computer skills, including email and Microsoft Office programs.
• Current Australian Driver Licence.
• Willingness and ability to travel to remote communities for periods of up to one week at a time.

Highly Desirable

• A relevant qualification in research, evaluation, social science, community development, public health or a related field.
• Experience in data collection such as conducting interviews, focus groups, surveys or community consultations.
• Experience working within a First Nations community-controlled organisation.
• Knowledge of Central Australian communities, cultures and languages.

What We Offer

• Attractive salary with 12% super plus generous salary packaging options
• Permanent full-time opportunity with up to 6 weeks annual leave
• Supportive and values-driven organisation
• Relocation support for eligible applicants
• Interstate and remote travel opportunities
• Competitive salary under the WDNWPT Aboriginal Corporation EA - Admin Level 5 classification