Senior Research Officer

Department of the Senate; South Canberra; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of the Senate is seeking applications for the role of Senior Research Officer in the Committee Office. You will undertake research and analysis of evidence, draft committee reports and briefing material, and assist in managing committee inquiries through all stages of the process.

Senior Research Officers liaise with senators, staff, public servants and external organisations; you will be a primary contact for stakeholders and contribute to planning and delivery of committee

Qualifications

• Strong research, analytical and writing skills; ability to deliver accurate, timely work.

Responsibilities

• Undertake report drafting and research and analysis for committees, including briefing papers and background material.
• Coordinate and provide administrative support for committees, particularly preparation of material for committee meetings and public hearings.
• Attend to correspondence and respond to inquiries from witnesses, submitters, senators' offices, agencies and members of the public regarding committee business.
• Maintain and safeguard committee records in accordance with parliamentary and departmental recordkeeping obligations.
• Develop knowledge of Senate procedures and parliamentary law and practice, particularly as they relate to the work of committees.

Skills

Research skills

Analytical skills

Writing skills

Education

Tertiary qualifications

Job description

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

Senior Research Officers work as part of a committee secretariat team to undertake research and analysis of evidence, draft committee reports and briefing material, and assist in managing committee inquiries through all stages of the process. They require strong research, analytical and writing skills and the ability to deliver work that is accurate, timely and of a consistent high standard.

Senior Research Officers regularly liaise with senators and their staff, public servants and representatives of external organisations. They are often a primary point of contact for committee stakeholders and must demonstrate high-level communication skills, sound judgement and professionalism. They also contribute to the planning and delivery of committee activities, including private meetings and local and interstate public hearings, and require strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic small team environment. They may need to work reasonable additional hours during peak work times and assist other secretariat teams from time to time. Some interstate travel to support committee hearings may be required.

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

Senior Research Officers work as part of a committee secretariat team to undertake research and analysis of evidence, draft committee reports and briefing material, and assist in managing committee inquiries through all stages of the process. They require strong research, analytical and writing skills and the ability to deliver work that is accurate, timely and of a consistent high standard.

Senior Research Officers regularly liaise with senators and their staff, public servants and representatives of external organisations. They are often a primary point of contact for committee stakeholders and must demonstrate high-level communication skills, sound judgement and professionalism. They also contribute to the planning and delivery of committee activities, including private meetings and local and interstate public hearings, and require strong organisational skills and the ability to work effectively in a dynamic small team environment. They may need to work reasonable additional hours during peak work times and assist other secretariat teams from time to time. Some interstate travel to support committee hearings may be required.

The key duties of the position include:

• Undertake report drafting and research and analysis for committees, including the preparation of briefing papers and other background material.
• Coordinate and provide administrative support for committees, particularly the preparation of material for, and organisation of, committee meetings and public hearings.
• Attend to correspondence and respond to inquiries from witnesses, submitters, senators' offices, agencies and members of the public regarding committee business.
• Maintain and safeguard committee records in accordance with parliamentary and departmental recordkeeping obligations.
• Develop and apply knowledge of Senate procedures and parliamentary law and practice, particularly as they relate to the work of committees.

Eligibility

Desirable

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.