Researcher (Politics And Public Administration)

The Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is recruiting for researchers for the Politics and Public Administration section of the Parliamentary Library Research Branch.

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 includes writing publications with analysis of policy, budgets and legislation, often within tight deadlines.

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 seeking researchers with expertise in topics relevant to the section, including :

• public administration, such as public sector staffing, governance, accountability, procurement and resourcing; and / or
• parliament and politics, such as parliamentary and political history, biographies, parliamentary procedure, and parliamentary statistics.

Experience in data management and analysis would be highly valued. You must possess tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline and be able and willing to work across a range of areas relevant to the section and to develop knowledge in new areas.

At times, you may be helping the work of Senior Researchers, as well as working independently and under limited supervision in a collaborative environment.

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
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline are essential.
• Knowledge and expertise in public administration and / or parliament and politics is highly desirable.
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected / Restricted) security clearance.
• Duty Statement
• Classification
• Parliamentary Service Level 6
• Branch
• Research
• Section
• Politics & Public Admin
• Immediate supervisor
• Director, Politics and Public Administration

The Parliamentary Librarian is required by the Parliamentary Service Act 1999 to, among other things :

provide high quality information, analysis and advice to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in support of their parliamentary and representational roles."

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, Researchers undertake, under broad direction, duties in accordance with the agreed standards for a Parliamentary Service Level 6. The duties will include, but are not limited to, the following :

1. Providing high quality, professional research on complex issues (including the retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from diverse sources) for parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders

3. Writing, co-writing and / or reviewing publications 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

4. Developing and maintaining collaborative working relationships across the organisation, with other organisations, and with clients and stakeholders

5. Contributing to team and organisational activities, and providing assistance and support to senior staff in the section and the branch as required.

• 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 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 role description and relevant ILS Profile. Make sure to use relevant examples and accomplishments that demonstrate your ability to perform the role.

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