Casual Community Research Officer

Classification: ANU Officer 5/6 (Research)
Salary package: $52.99 - $62.26 per hour plus 11% superannuation
Terms: Casual (multiple positions available)

Location: Based in Zenadth Kes

Are you passionate about Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes) culture & history? Are you interested in a Community Research Officer role that will contribute to returning and reviewing archival materials to Zenadth Kes?

The Japan Zenadth Kes project (the project) reengages with a unique body of Japanese research about Zenadth Kes community life in the late 1970s. The project is to reconnect Zenadth Kes communities with research materials through translation, digitization and re-telling of stories emerging from this body of work created fifty years ago.

The project team is based in Canberra at the Australian National University, Centre for Heritage and Museum Studies. The Centre aims to promote and develop critical heritage and museum studies as an interdisciplinary area of academic analysis and practice, and explore its intersections with memory studies and public history, as well as anthropology, archaeology and tourism studies.

Position Overview

Five Community Research Officers will be based in Kaiwalagal Kaurareg Aboriginal Nation, Maluligal Nation, Gudaw Maluligal Nation, Kulkalgal Nation and Kemer Kemer Meriam Nation and will work alongside with the project team in Canberra to deliver project outcomes. These positions are flexible casual hours, 5 days a week.

We are looking for Zenadth Kes people who are able to work respectfully with local Elders and community members, First Nations organisations, and research team members.

The Community Research Officers will also work closely with the project team to ensure outputs produced are culturally appropriate, desirable and beneficial to the community. Key responsibilities of the position will include contributing to the coordination and conduct of interviews and research activities, engagement with local community, analysis of the research material and co-production of research outputs.  

Duties required of a Community Research Officer may include:

1. Providing support to the research team, including:

• Facilitating field research in the Zenadth Kes including interviewing Elders and creating film and audio
• Engaging with communities and build awareness of this Japanese body of research
• Coordinating community review of research materials
• Documenting sensitivities and challenges during the research

2. Work collaboratively with a diverse range of Zenadth Kes stakeholders, including:

• Local Elders and community members
• Registered Native Title Body Corporates; and
• Government agencies

3. Participating in project workshops, including:

• Training in research ethics, digital research methods including film, audio recording and photography
• Contributing to co-designing the fieldwork, discuss cultural protocols, problem-solve and reflecting on process of engaging with community

For more information about the position please contact Dr Julie Lahn on T: 02 6125 8758 E: JapanZenadthKes@anu.edu.au

The University actively encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. For more information on employment opportunities, contact our Indigenous Employment Consultant on indigenous.employment@anu.edu.au  

ANU values diversity and inclusion and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to those of all backgrounds and identities. For more information about staff equity at ANU, visit https://services.anu.edu.au/human-resources/respect-inclusion

Application information

In order to apply for this role please make sure that you upload the following documents:

• One-page expression of interest addressing the selection criteria
• CV with two referees. No formal qualifications are required for this role

You must be Zenadth Kes people to be eligible for this position. 

Applications which do not address the selection criteria may not be considered for the position.

The successful applicant must have rights to live and work in this country and will be required to undergo a background check during the recruitment process. An offer of employment is conditional on satisfactory results.