Job Description
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First Nations Principal Researcher
Identified Aboriginal Position
The fixed-term contract will be for an initial period of two years, with a strong likelihood of extension to three years.
Location: Sydney CBD or Parramatta CBD with hybrid flexibility + regular travel to Mid-North Coast NSW
Uniting NSW.ACT is seeking a thoughtful, culturally grounded, and community-minded First Nations Principal Researcher to join our Research and Social Policy team and help shape research that creates meaningful change for children, families, and communities across NSW and the ACT
About the role
This is an identified role and is open only for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will lead the design and implementation of culturally appropriate monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks across two major innovation projects on the Mid-North Coast of NSW focused on supporting vulnerable First Nations children and families.
Working within our Research and Social Policy team, in Uniting’s Social Impact and Advocacy Directorate, you will partner closely with communities, universities, program teams, and internal leaders to ensure research is culturally safe and ethically sound and makes a difference to real-world outcomes.
You’ll help translate evidence into practical action, policy influence, and service improvement, and shift the conditions that hold disadvantage in place. And in doing all these things, you will support the implementation of Uniting’s First Nations People and Place Strategy alongside leaders in our First Nations Strategy and Outcomes Unit.
https://www.uniting.org/content/dam/recruitment/corporate/FirstNationsPeoplePlaceStrategy.pdf
What you’ll be doing
Lead strategic research and evaluation
• Design and deliver monitoring, evaluation, and learning frameworks for major innovation projects
• Lead applied social research that is ethical, strengths-based, and culturally appropriate
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, analysis, and reporting
• Support ethical research processes, cultural governance, and community engagement
Drive First Nations-led approaches
• Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing into research practice
• Contribute to Uniting’s First Nations People and Place Strategy
• Support culturally safe engagement and First Nations data sovereignty approaches
• Build organisational capability in culturally safe research and evaluation
Build partnerships and influence systems
• Co-design research approaches with communities and stakeholders
• Lead collaborative partnerships with universities and external organisations
• Translate findings into innovation insights, practice reform, and policy influence
• Present research at workshops, conferences, and sector forums
What you’ll bring
You are someone who can move confidently between community, research, and organisational environments with integrity, humility, and cultural authority.
You bring:
• Demonstrated experience conducting social research and evaluation in applied settings
• Strong understanding of First Nations-led research, evaluation, and knowledge translation
• Experience working respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal communities
• The ability to translate evidence into practice improvement and systems change
• Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and communication skills
• A commitment to social justice, self-determination, and community-led change
Qualifications and experience
You’ll ideally bring:
• A tertiary qualification in a relevant field or equivalent experience
• 3–5 years’ experience in social research and/or evaluation
• Experience managing mixed-methods projects across qualitative and quantitative approaches
• Experience working collaboratively across complex organisations and stakeholder groups
Highly regarded:
• Postgraduate research qualifications
• Experience preparing successful ethics applications
• Experience engaging First Nations communities across the comprehensive research and knowledge translation lifecycle
Why join Uniting?
At Uniting, you’ll join a purpose-led organisation working to challenge inequality and create stronger, more inclusive communities.
You’ll be part of a team that values courage, compassion, creativity, and collaboration where research is used not simply to understand problems, but to help solve them. Joining our organisation means becoming part of our Ngumbadal Network, a culturally safe and supportive community for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. Through regular gatherings, networking opportunities, and cultural connection, the network creates space to build relationships and support one another. Each year, First Nations employees from across the organisation come together for our two-day Ngumbadal Gathering—a unique opportunity to connect, celebrate culture, share experiences, and grow both personally and professionally.
Please note
This is an identified Aboriginal position under Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Aboriginality is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under the relevant legislation.
Please submit a cover letter and CV, showing how you meet the criteria described above under “Your skill set will include”, “Your qualifications and experience,” and “Even better”
For a copy of the position description and further information, please contact Louise Massie at mmassie@uniting.org
Who is Uniting
Uniting NSW.ACT contributes to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services, and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice.
Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, well-being, and inclusion of children and young people.
Empowered by diversity
At Uniting, inclusion isn’t just something we value – it’s how we work. Our culture and practice reflect the vibrant diversity of our colleagues, and the clients and communities we serve.
Note: Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks, including a national Police check, Working with Children check, Working with Vulnerable People check, NDIS worker check, and reference checks.
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