Research Assistant

The Research Branch of the Parliamentary Library, a statutory office within the Department of Parliamentary Services, is recruiting to fill a research assistant positions in its Research Support & Coordination (RSC) team.

Our research assistants undertake a range of tasks associated with the provision of high quality information, research and advisory services to parliamentary clients to assist them in their parliamentary and representational roles. They also provide research support support to senior researchers. The RSC team provides research and reference support to Parliamentary Library clients and researchers, and coordinates complex and / or multi-specialist responses to research requests.

Any merit pools created from this recruitment process may be used to fill ongoing or non-ongoing positions that may arise over the next 18 months.

• Who we are looking for

We are looking for a researcher who are well-informed, motivated, adaptable and able to provide excellent client service. The successful applicant will work in a team and be expected to display sound judgement and sensitivity while working in the parliamentary environment. They must be able to maintain strict confidentiality and impartiality in accordance with Library policies.

Our researchers should have :

• good communication, liaison, interpersonal and presentational skills
• excellent attention to detail
• demonstrated research, analytical, and writing abilities
• a strong client focus
• the ability to produce accurate work within agreed deadlines and manage competing priorities
• the ability to work effectively as a member of a small team
• an understanding of the parliamentary environment.
• Job Specific Requirements
• The successful applicant will be required to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected / Restricted) security clearance.
• Duty Statement
• Classification
• Parliamentary Service Level 4 / 5
• Branch
• Research
• Section
• Research Coordination
• Immediate supervisor
• Recruitment insert supervisor position title]

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.

The work may cover a range of tasks associated with the provision of quality information, research and advisory services to parliamentary clients and the provision of support to senior officers. This may include, but is not limited to :

1. Undertaking less complex research tasks (including by the identification, retrieval, analysis and synthesis of information from multiple sources) for the benefit of parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders;

2. Undertaking less complex writing, advisory, information management and dissemination tasks, including the preparation of advice and information products for parliamentary clients and internal stakeholders and contributing to publications and papers;

3. Assisting Researchers (PSL6), Senior Researchers (PEL1) or the Director in the above tasks, when required;

4. Developing and maintaining professional networks, and knowledge and understanding of information sources and developments; and

5. Contributing to building and maintaining section resources and to corporate activities, including by providing administrative and technical support to the senior officers in the section and branch.

• 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.

• 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 e