Position Description

Position Details
Position Title: Research Associate

Department: Research and Knowledge Management

Salary Band: EA Band 4

Classification: Specialist
Reports To: Research Program Manager

Position Overview

Objective: Contribute to Council's research and evaluation programs to support

positioning the organisation as the national leader in arts and cultural
research

Key ▪ Contribute to a systematic rolling program of data collection and analysis

Accountabilities: to facilitate the delivery of high-quality research and evaluation projects
and publications

▪ Conduct research and evaluation through direct engagement with the

work and/or contract management of external suppliers (determined by
the needs of individual projects)

▪ Critically review, analyse and interpret research and evaluation findings

to develop key insights

▪ Articulate and communicate research and evaluation methods, findings

and outcomes to a variety of audiences, including through: verbal advice,
written briefings, research publications and associated communications
materials, and presentations.

▪ Contribute to the dissemination of research and evaluation material,

including developing and enhancing the online presence of Australia
Council research.
▪ Support organisational and sector capacity for research and evaluation
by developing best practice systems and guidelines and encouraging
the exploration of new approaches to research and evaluation.

▪ Contribute, as appropriate, to research and evaluation projects led by

external stakeholders, including state and territory arts funding bodies,
the Department of Communications and the Arts and other arts and
cultural organisations
▪ Demonstrate the application of the Australia Council’s values in all
aspects of your work
▪ Participate effectively in the ongoing processes of the Australia Council’s
team meetings and the organisation’s performance management
process

POSITION DESCRIPTION Page 1 of 2 Date Effective: April 2018

 ▪ Demonstrate ongoing commitment to work health and safety policies and
procedures
▪ Undertake other duties and projects reasonably requested by your direct
supervisor or senior management

Key Challenges: ▪ Contribute to the profile of the Research and Knowledge Management
team as knowledge leaders within the organisation and externally.

▪ Build effective collaborative relationships with both internal and external

stakeholders.

▪ Maintain a positive and creative approach to problem solving

Key Stakeholders: Internal: Research and Knowledge Management team, Communications,

Arts Practice Directors, Executive and Senior Management team,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts

External: Federal, state and territory government cultural and research

agencies, peak arts bodies, researchers and suppliers in arts and cultural
fields

Resource Expenditure Accountability: Nil

Management: Direct Reports: Nil

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Selection Criteria: Essential:

▪ Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field, or equivalent experience gained
in a similar position
▪ Demonstrated ability to undertake analysis of quantitative and / or
qualitative data
▪ Proven commitment to the continuous improvement of data collection
processes, ensuring integrity of information
▪ Strong knowledge of research and/or evaluation methods and design
▪ Experience in primary data collection, (i.e. focus group discussions, in-
depth interviews, surveys)
▪ Proven ability to make a strong contribution to team-based work
▪ Experience in communicating research and/or evaluation methods,
findings and outcomes to a variety of audiences.

Desired:

▪ Experience in producing research and/or evaluation outputs in a short

period of time and for different audiences

This document will be reviewed on a regular basis and changes made to reflect changes in the requirements of the
role.

POSITION DESCRIPTION Page 2 of 2 Date Effective: April 2018