Senior Research Advisor

Windsor Group has been commissioned by Community Solutions Group on behalf of Endeavour Foundation to manage this important assignment. Windsor Group is a profit-for-purpose organisation providing expert advice, HR services, executive search and recruitment services for executive, permanent and temporary/contract roles across nonprofit, commercial and government sectors.  

Endeavour Foundation’s story began more than 70 years ago, at a time when people with disabilities had few opportunities. Endeavour Foundation was born from the voices of parents who fought tirelessly for their children to have access to education and opportunity. The courage and tenacity of these founding families remain their guiding light as they champion a better future for people with disabilities.

Every year, Endeavour Foundation helps thousands of people achieve the things that matter most to them. They support people to live their best lives and remove barriers that prevent people from exploring and realising their potential. Whether it’s living independently, getting a job you love, or engaging with the community, Endeavour Foundation are right beside you every step of the way.

The motivation is they believe in people, their ability to achieve ambitions, their right to social and economic participation, and their often-unrecognised contribution to our communities.

Endeavour Foundation is passionate about building a brighter future for all, every day. Their purpose is to make possibilities a reality for more than 4 million people with a disability living in Australia. This is the driving force behind everything they do, and their dedication remains as strong as ever.

Endeavour Foundation – Helping People with Disability

Endeavour Foundation_ACNC GROUP | ACNC 

Windsor Group, Community Solutions Group and Endeavour Foundation are committed to equal opportunity employment practices. Applications for the position of Senior Research Advisor will be assessed on merit and selected applicants invited to interview. An offer of appointment will be made to the applicant whose written application and interview responses best demonstrate their ability to meet the requirements of the role. 

The CEO is now looking to reignite the research profile of the organisation through the advancement of evidence and practice-based thought leadership in the disability space. A strategic priority is the creation of a new Centre of Excellence, supported by the recruitment of someone with specialist research expertise to assume the role of Senior Research Advisor who, under their leadership will establish a hub of good quality research. The Senior Research Advisor will be the face of the Centre, “steering the ship” and is central to establishing a strong foundation for planned growth and future collaborative research projects. 

Reporting to the General Manager – Specialist Services (Community Solutions Group).

The Senior Research Advisor will support the development and implementation of the Endeavour Foundation Centre for Excellence. This will include supporting organisation-wide research projects and developing mutually beneficial partnerships with universities to provide research support and in-depth interpretation of publications and other research data.

Reporting to the General Manager – Specialist Services, the position is accountable for Endeavour Foundation’s operation set-up of the Centre for Excellence, development and maintenance of relationships with university partners and reporting on research activities undertaken through the Centre for Excellence and their impact on the lives of people with disability.

There are three essential areas of expertise being: 

• Postgraduate qualifications. 
• Research background in disability (subject matter expert) 

• a depth of understanding of current research within the sector and its application to practice. 

• Evidence of strong communication and relationship management  

• The above will form the basis of detailed briefings, knowledge synthesis and reports to be provided to the marketing and communications team, CEO and Executive Leadership Team at Endeavour Foundation.   

Although the role centres around thought leadership, informed advocacy, knowledge synthesis, however they also require some commercial/business/financial acumen or understanding of process (budgets/P & Ls).

Support is available within the Endeavour Foundation to develop business plans relevant to the work of the Centre. 

Download the Position Description here.

• An independent self-starter, whose ideas will be welcomed.   
• To be able to draw together the threads of work undertaken in past years and clearly articulate if and why this work is incorporated into the planned activity of the new Centre going forward.   
• May currently be sitting in a University Partnerships Coordinator role, to connect stakeholders to develop collaborative research projects, develop funding applications and conduct research.   
• May also be currently teaching in a university looking for a career change and leveraging off their research expertise and professional discipline. 
• PhD or Masters post graduate level – open to mental health with expertise in psychosocial disability.  
• Extensive experience in the disability sector, having returned to university to complete a PhD, Professional Doctorate, or other post graduate qualification. 
• Have a passion for research in this area – ideal disciplines include social work and psychology. 
• Application of theory to practice is a focus. 
• Will consider someone who may be in the final stages of their postgraduate study/PhD program. 
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to form strong external relationships with existing and future partners including Universities, research teams, funding bodies, philanthropists, other service providers, community groups and consumers is essential.   
• Must be brave, independent, creative, and knowledgeable to build credibility. 
• Police check, Blue Card and NDIS Worker screening essential. 

When submitting your application, ensure your application includes: 

• An up-to-date resume (in Word format) 
• A covering letter (in Word format) outlining your interest and expertise relevant to the role 

Submit your application quoting reference number WGSENR to apply@windsor-group.com.au. For more information, please contact Kaye Jeffers or Gabriella Cirillo on 07 3211 0001. Your application will be acknowledged by email within one business day. 

View the live job advertisement and apply here.