Senior Lead Research and Impact Centre for Just Places
24/09/2025
09/10/2025
Contract
Richmond
Community Services and Development
About the organisation
Jesuit Social Services is a social change organisation working to build a just society where all people can live to their full potential. We reflect on the critical factors shaping our contemporary world; the social, political and economic contexts, and we adapt our practice to work with those most in need.
Since 1977, Jesuit Social Services has provided services to some of the most disadvantaged in our community.
We place a high priority on advocacy and are a leader in policy development and research.
About the Centre for Just Places
The Centre for Just Places was established by Jesuit Social Services to enable and support place-based approaches. Through our research, advocacy and practice, the Centre unlocks the relationship between social, environmental and economic justice.
We aim to enable strong and resilient communities through three main areas of work:
Working in place – our practice in Victoria, New South Wales and Northern Territory – we deliver a range of place-based initiatives to support community development, build capacity and provide flexible responses to community needs.
Enabling climate justice – we partner with community service organisations, communities, and governments to shift systems, build local climate resilience and adaptive capacity.
Supporting strong, healthy, and equitable communities – building on more than 25 years of research into locational disadvantage with Dropping off the Edge, we work with communities to know where people are struggling, to understand what is contributing to that struggle and how we can collectively enable communities to flourish.
Job Description
About the role
This role provides strategic direction in shaping and delivering the Centre for Just Places research agenda and advancing its thought leadership, working directly with the General Manager Centre for Just Places, and key executive staff to drive high-impact projects that deepen understanding and awareness of locational disadvantage, community resilience, place-based approaches, and climate justice.
The Senior Lead, Research and Impact will work at the intersection of research, strategy, and advocacy, leading the design, coordination, and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative research initiatives across sectors and partnerships. Central to the role is maintaining strong relationships with funders and partners, and securing resources to sustain and grow the Centre’s impact.
The position will have responsibility for managing high-quality research projects and leading knowledge translation activities that not only make complex findings accessible and actionable for practitioners, policymakers, and communities, but also highlight and share the real-world impact of this work through compelling stories and narratives that support learning, connection, and influence both internally and externally. The position also plays a pivotal role in supporting and mentoring staff to strengthen the Centre’s research capacity and influence.
Competitive remuneration, plus salary packaging benefit, is offered together with ongoing professional and career development as well as opportunities for personal growth. This is a 0.8 to 1.0 FTE position, fixed term until May 2027.
What Jesuit Social Services can offer you:
An organisation that lives its values, through its day to day work
A welcoming and supportive relational environment
A comprehensive Induction and Orientation program
Ongoing training and development related to your role
Employee assistance program
A competitive salary plus salary packaging benefits
Generous leave
Desired Skills and Experience
About you
This role will suit a candidate with the following skills and experience:
Postgraduate qualifications in social sciences or related discipline, with demonstrated expertise in research methods (qualitative and quantitative), and/or extensive demonstrated experience in similar roles.
Demonstrated experience designing, conducting, and managing research projects, with a strong grounding in ethical research practices. Experience and expertise in research relating to place-based approaches, locational disadvantage, community resilience, and/or climate justice will be highly regarded.
Proven ability to generate high-quality research outputs and translate complex findings into accessible, actionable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and community stakeholders.
Strong skills in building and maintaining relationships with funders, partners, and stakeholders to secure resources, shape research agendas, and drive collaborative initiatives.
Experience developing competitive research and project funding proposals and successfully securing and managing external funding.
Ability to support, guide, and mentor staff in research and evaluation, fostering a culture of evidence-informed practice and continuous learning.
Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present research findings persuasively and contribute to public advocacy.
Understanding and sympathy with the mission and ethos of Jesuit Social Services.
How to apply
Upload your resume and cover letter incorporating your responses to the Key Selection Criteria from the Position Description.
For further information please contact Kate Lowsby, General Manager via kate.lowsby@jss.org.au.
Applications close at 5.00pm on Thursday 9th October 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, and the closing date may be subject to change without notice.
Jesuit Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome all people regardless of ethnicity, cultural background, age, gender, sexuality, disability or religious affiliation. We strongly encourage applications from all community members including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, members of the LGBTIQA+ community, people with a disability, people of culturally diverse backgrounds and working parents. Jesuit Social Services is a Child Safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. We require all applicants to undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.
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