Senior Researcher
Job Details
Job Title: Senior Researcher
Employment Type: Ongoing/Non-Ongoing
Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1
Closing Date: 11:30pm AEDT, Wednesday, 30 October.
Contact: Sophie Power, 02 6277 2699, sophie.power@aph.gov.au
The Opportunity
The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for Parliamentary Executive Level 1 Senior Researcher within the Law and Bills Digest Section and the Politics and Public Administration Section.
Parliamentary Library researchers provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of Parliament in support of their parliamentary and representational roles. The work is diverse and challenging and involves providing information or tailored briefings directly to Senators, Members and their staff, often within tight deadlines. The work also involves writing publications, which may include analysis of policy, budget documents and legislation.
The Law and Bills Digest Section works across a range of legal issues of relevance to the Parliament, including responding directly to requests for information from parliamentarians and preparing publications (in particular, Bills Digests).
The Politics and Public Administration Section covers a range of topics such as Parliament, parliamentary procedure, referendums, elections and electoral funding, government, public administration and federalism.
Who we are looking for
The Politics and Public Administration Section is recruiting for an election specialist with knowledge and understanding of elections and parliament. Issues you can expect to deal with include election policy, regulation, data analysis, political donations, public funding and disclosure, and parliamentary remuneration and business resources.
The Politics and Public Administration Section is also looking for a senior researcher with knowledge and understanding of parliament and politics, including parliamentary and political history, parliamentary procedure, and parliamentary statistics.
The Law and Bills Digest Section is looking for legal researchers with sound judgment who can work across a range of areas of law and legal issues relevant to Parliament. You will need to be able to succinctly and accurately summarise and explain complex legal issues and legislation in a clear, non-technical manner. Knowledge and expertise in tax, corporations, health or migration law will be highly regarded.
All roles require an ability to write clearly and succinctly, and to quickly find and provide accurate, relevant information and advice to parliamentary clients.
You will need to indicate at application whether you are interested in the Law & Bills Digest Section or the Politics and Public Administration Section (or both).
These are ongoing positions. Any merit pool created from this recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing or non-ongoing positions that may arise over the next 18 months.
Job Specific Requirements
- Senior Researchers in the Law & Bills Digest Section are required to have a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD) qualification (as a minimum).
- Senior Researchers in the Politics and Public Administration Section should have tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline, as well as demonstrated knowledge and understanding of parliament and/or elections. Skills and/or qualifications in data management and analysis, and interpreting legislation, would be an advantage.
- The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected/Restricted) security clearance.
At DPS, we acknowledge the value diversity brings. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace that ensures all our people can contribute to our shared purpose. We welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, mature age people, people from diverse backgrounds and people with disability.
Duty Statement
Classification: Parliamentary Executive Level 1
Branch: Research
Section: Law & Bills Digest; Politics and Public Administration
Immediate supervisor: Parliamentary Executive Level 2 (Director)
Under limited/general direction undertake duties in accordance with the agreed standards for the Parliamentary Executive Level 1 classification. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
The Act requires the Parliamentary Librarian to perform this function:
• in a timely, impartial and confidential manner; and
• maintaining the highest standards of scholarship and integrity; and
• on the basis of equality of access for all Senators, Members of the House of Representatives,
parliamentary committees and staff acting on behalf of Senators, Members or parliamentary
committees; and
• having regard to the independence of Parliament from the Executive Government of the
Commonwealth.
Against this background, Senior Researchers undertake, under limited direction, duties in accordance
with the agreed standards for a Parliamentary Executive Level 1. They provide high quality information,
research and advisory services to achieve results in line with the organisation’s goals.
The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Providing high quality research, analysis and advice on complex issues (including the identification,
retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources) to clients and internal
stakeholders in relation to the subject areas covered by the section
2. Write, co-write and/or review Bills Digests as allocated and in accordance with requirements,
including adherence to timeframes
3. Preparing research papers and information resources on a range of matters to inform parliamentary
clients and other stakeholders, and that maintain the Library’s high standards of scholarship and
integrity
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4. Providing high quality service delivery or corporate support functions, including managing client
expectations, and undertaking project work and policy development as required
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, mentoring, and/or coaching 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.
How to apply
Please indicate in your application whether you are interested in the Law & Bills Digest Section or the Politics and Public Administration Section (or both).
Please upload a one page 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 role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.
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:
• access to flexible work arrangements
• ongoing opportunities to learn and develop new capabilities
• a competitive remuneration package
• free secure underground parking
• free gym membership and access to recreational facilities
• on-site childcare, banking services, post office, value-for-money dining options and more.
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.