Senior Researcher (Education)

Job Details

Job Title: Senior Researcher (Education)

Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1

Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, 20 October 2025

Contact: Harriet Spinks, 02 6277 2632, harriet.spinks@aph.gov.au

The Opportunity

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting to fill a Senior Researcher (Education) position in the Social Policy section of the Parliamentary Library Research Branch. The successful candidate will be required to work on a wide range of issues relating to school (including early childhood), tertiary and vocational education funding and policy.

The Parliamentary Library supports Australia's democracy by providing high-quality, impartial and confidential information, analysis and advice to Parliamentarians and their staff. By providing high-quality responses to clients, the Parliamentary Library supports informed policy debates and decisions. The work is diverse and challenging and involves providing information or tailored briefings directly to parliamentarians and their staff, often within tight deadlines. The work also involves writing publications with analysis of policy, budgets and legislation. 

The Social Policy section works across a wide range of policy areas including education, health and aged care, disability, social security, Indigenous affairs, immigration and multiculturalism, media, the arts, gender, and family and domestic violence.

Who we are looking for

Senior Researchers need excellent information research and analytical skills. You need to be able to write clearly and succinctly to accurately summarise and explain complex topics in a clear, non-technical manner.

You must be able to quickly find and provide accurate and relevant information in an impartial manner to parliamentary clients. You must possess a strong client service ethic, and be motivated and fast to learn. Communication skills, both oral and written, must be of a high order, as must your professionalism and judgement. An appreciation of the requirements of excellent client service is essential.

You must possess relevant tertiary qualifications, and a thorough demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Australian education policy and funding arrangements. Expertise in school policy and funding will be highly regarded.

This is an ongoing opportunity. Any merit pool created from this recruitment process may be used to fill similar ongoing or non-ongoing positions that may arise over the next 18 months.

Job Specific Requirements: 

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian education policy and funding arrangements
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.

At DPS, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with caring responsibilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, people from cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people who identify as neurodivergent, and mature aged people.

Duty Statement

Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1 

Branch: Research 

Section: Social Policy 

Immediate supervisor: Parliamentary Executive Level 2 (Director)

Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the specified classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Providing high quality professional, specialist and technical research on complex issues (including the identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources) for the benefit of parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders; 
2. Providing high quality analysis and advice to clients and internal stakeholders in relation to the subject areas covered by the section;
3. Preparing publications and information resources on a range of matters to inform parliamentary clients and other stakeholders, that maintain the Library’s high standards of scholarship and integrity;
4. Providing high quality service delivery or corporate support functions, including managing client expectations, and undertaking project work and policy development.
5. Actively developing effective, collaborative and strategic working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, and with clients and other stakeholders, and if necessary supervising and mentoring other staff.

Employees of DPS are required to be able, and to be seen to be able, to provide professional advice and services to all Senators and Members without favour or prejudice.

Selection Criteria

Ability to perform complex research and analysis

• Conducts high-quality research and analysis, and provides advice on complex issues
• Uses diverse information and database services
• Possesses high level writing skills and is able to write research and analysis products in various formats and styles
• Works quickly while maintaining accuracy

Cultivates productive working relationships

• Develops internal and external relationships to support work objectives
• Facilitates cooperation and works collaboratively
• Values individual differences and diversity
• Works constructively to resolve conflict

Personal and professional qualities

• Works under limited supervision and manages competing priorities
• Possesses strong client service ethic
• Demonstrates probity and accountability, initiative, resilience and good judgement
• Is prepared to develop new areas of expertise, and is committed to professional development

Communication skills

• Communicates clearly and appropriately
• Listens, understands and adapts to audience
• Negotiates persuasively
• Tailors responses according to client requirements

Understanding of the parliamentary and political environment

• Knowledge of the context, role and operations of Parliament
• Understands the role and function of key Parliamentary bodies and processes
• Deals sensitively, impartially and objectively with controversial issues

Eligible qualifications and/or job specific requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of Australian education policy and funding arrangements

How to apply

Please upload a pitch (750 words maximum) describing how your skills and experience would contribute to the role and work of the department. 

Your pitch is an opportunity to tell us why you want to work at DPS, why you are interested in the role and what you can offer in the role. Frame your pitch around the selection criteria and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role. 

For additional guidance when crafting you application, please refer to the the DPS Recruitment Candidate Information Pack, which provides helpful tips on how to structure your pitch and highlight your most relevant skills and experience effectively.

Our purpose and values

We proudly provide innovative, unified, and client-focused services to the Australian Parliament and parliamentarians. We are a values driven department, placing our values at the heart of everything we do; from our service offerings and decision making to our interactions with stakeholders and each other.  

Our people are employed in a broad and unique range of professional, customer service and trade-based roles, all joined by a shared purpose: to make an enduring contribution to Australia’s parliamentary democracy. We have an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the community we serve. While we come from all walks of life, we share a commitment to care for and protect our iconic workplace. 

Every year, almost one million people visit Australian Parliament House to experience the parliamentary process, the building’s architecture, nationally significant art collections, events, tours, and food and dining experiences – all made possible by our people, who are active participants in an environment where no two days are the same.

What we can offer

Join our community based on innovative, unified, and client-focused services, where your skills and development will be nurtured. You will also enjoy:  

• flexible working arrangements can be negotiated in accordance with our Enterprise Agreement and the operational needs of the roles
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities 
• a competitive remuneration package
• free on-site parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities available at APH
• childcare (pending availability), banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more available at APH.

Salary

An attractive salary, which could be negotiated with the successful candidate, is on offer.

Conditions of Employment

Employment opportunities at Department of Parliamentary Services are subject to a range of conditions prescribed in the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 which include:

• Australian citizenship – to be eligible for employment with DPS, applicants must be an Australian Citizen. 

• Security clearance and character clearance – the preferred applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the level specified, as well as complete and be deemed suitable through a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. 

• Health assessment – a pre-employment health assessment will be required where there are physical or medical requirements for the role.