Project Description

Purpose:

As a Senior Research Officer, you will conduct research into crime and criminal justice; evaluate the impact of programs on crime, criminal justice and re-offending; and write research reports and briefing notes.

Key accountabilities

  • Undertake research into crime and criminal justice.
  • Evaluate the impact of programs on crime, criminal justice and re-offending.
  • Write research reports and briefing notes.
  • Present papers at seminars and conferences.
  • Provide technical advice to Departmental staff and staff from other agencies on research methodology.
  • Review research proposals and research papers by outside individuals and organisations.

Key challenges

  • Working out how to evaluate programs in non-experimental settings and keeping abreast of the
    literature on evaluation methodology.
  • Conducting research and writing reports within tight deadlines.
  • Remaining objective and dispassionate while maintaining a good working relationship with key
    stakeholders, program managers and policy analysts.

Role dimensions

Decision making

The Senior Research Officer has responsibility for producing high quality, timely research. As a part of this
process, the Senior Research Officer makes decisions about the appropriate measurement instruments and
sampling of subjects for research projects, the appropriate testing, presentation and interpretation of
statistical data to be included in research reports, and the structure and argument of written reports.

Reporting line

The role reports directly to the Research Manager.

Essential requirements

Honours degree or equivalent in statistics, economics, epidemiology, psychology or another discipline with
a strong statistical component.

Remuneration

Departmental Professional Officer Grade 3, Salary ($94,423 – $103,151), plus employer’s contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.  (Total $111,544)

 

Focus capabilities
The focus capabilities for the role are the capabilities in which occupants must demonstrate immediate competence. The behavioural indicators provide examples of the types of behaviours that would be expected at that level and should be reviewed in conjunction with the role’s key accountabilities.

NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability Level Behavioural Indicators
Personal Attributes Display Resilience and Courage Adept · Be flexible, show initiative and respond quickly when situations change
· Give frank and honest feedback/advice
· Listen when ideas are challenged, seek to understand the nature of the criticism and respond constructively
· Raise and work through challenging issues and seek alternatives
· Keep control of own emotions and stay calm under pressure and in challenging situations
Relationships Communicate Effectively Adept ·  Tailor communication to the audience
· Clearly explain complex concepts and arguments to individuals and groups
· Monitor own and others’ non-verbal cues and adapt where necessary
· Create opportunities for others to be heard
· Actively listen to others and clarify own understanding
· Write fluently in a range of styles and formats
Relationships
Work Collaboratively		 Adept · Encourage a culture of recognising the value of collaboration
· Build co-operation and overcome barriers to information sharing and communication across teams/units
·  Share lessons learned across teams/units
· Identify opportunities to work collaboratively with other teams/ units to solve issues and develop better processes and approaches to work
Results
Deliver results		 · Take responsibility for delivering on intended outcomes
· Make sure team/unit staff understand expected goals and acknowledge  success
· Identify resource needs and ensure goals are achieved within budget and deadlines
· Identify changed priorities and ensure allocation of resources meets new business needs
· Ensure financial implications of changed priorities are explicit and budgeted for
· Use own expertise and seek others’ expertise to achieve work outcomes
Results
Think and Solve		 Adept ·  Research and analyse  information, identify interrelationships and make  recommendations  based  on  relevant  evidence

NSW Public Sector Capability Framework
Group and Capability Level Behavioural Indicators
Problems · Anticipate, identify and address issues and potential problems and select the most effective solutions from a range of options
· Participate in and contribute to team/unit initiatives to resolve common issues or barriers to effectiveness
·  Identify and share business process improvements to enhance effectiveness
Business Enablers
Technology		 Adept · Demonstrate a sound understanding of technology relevant to the work unit, and identify and select the most appropriate technology for assigned tasks
· Identify opportunities to use a broad range of communications technologies to deliver effective messages
· Understand, act on and monitor compliance with information and communications security and use policies
· Identify ways to leverage the value of technology to achieve team/unit outcomes, using the existing technology of the business
· Support compliance with the records, information and knowledge management requirements of the organisation
Project Management Adept · Prepare clear project proposals and define scope and goals in measurable terms
· Establish performance outcomes and measures for key project goals, and define monitoring, reporting and communication requirements
· Prepare accurate estimates of costs and resources required for more complex projects
· Communicate the project strategy and its expected benefits to others
· Monitor the completion of project milestones against goals and initiate amendments where necessary
· Evaluate progress and identify improvements to inform future projects