About KWY:
KWY is a leading Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation in South Australia, committed to Creating a Space for Change for Aboriginal families and communities.
Since 2011, KWY has worked to break the cycle of domestic violence, promote safety for women and children, and reduce Aboriginal children in the child protection system through a specialised suite of programs focused on empowering families through culturally grounded support and healing.
Supporting over 1,800 families annually and growing, KWY offers a dynamic and values-driven work environment where your contributions make a real impact. Join our inclusive, collaborative team and help drive meaningful change.
About the position:
KWY is seeking a skilled and motivated Senior Researcher to support a ground-breaking initiative that will develop a best-practice model for transitioning child and family services to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). This co-design research project will work with key NGO and ACCO providers—to ensure future service transitions are community-led, culturally safe, and effective.
The Senior Researcher will work as part of KWY’s Research and Innovation team and contribute to all stages of the project including co-design facilitation, desktop research, pilot evaluation, data collection, and analysis. The role will also support the development of tailored transition plans, operational readiness documentation, and the final best-practice model.
This is an exciting and new position at KWY. Full Time or Part time negotiable.
Key Responsibilities:
* Support the delivery of a multi-phase co-design and research project focused on transitioning services to ACCOs.
* Assist in planning and facilitating co-design workshops with community members, NGOs, and key stakeholders across metro and regional locations.
* Conduct desktop research and contribute to the development of agendas, discussion tools, and workshop materials.
* Collect and analyse qualitative and quantitative data through interviews, surveys, and stakeholder engagement.
* Support the documentation of service gaps, capacity-building needs, operational readiness plans, and transition protocols.
* Work closely with internal project staff and external partners to test pilot transitions and document learnings.
* Contribute to the development of research outputs, including reports, briefing papers, recommendations, and the final best-practice model.
* Maintain accurate and confidential records, and contribute to evaluation and progress reporting.
About you:
You are a curious and committed researcher with a strong interest in Aboriginal-led solutions, service reform, and community co-design. You bring a culturally safe and respectful approach to your work and understand the importance of placing Aboriginal voices at the centre of research and service design.
You’re confident working with data and people — whether it's conducting interviews, supporting workshops, or analysing emerging themes. You are organised, reliable, and have strong writing skills that allow you to clearly present research findings. You thrive in a collaborative environment, value strong relationships, and are motivated by work that makes a real difference for Aboriginal children, families, and communities.
What we offer:
* Competitive salary: $106,389 - $111,092 (range dependent on experience and qualifications). Classification under the SCHADS Award.
* Salary Packaging: Attractive salary packaging options, including meal entertainment benefits, novated leasing, and more up (package u to $15,900 per FBT year)
* Generous leave benefits: Additional 7 days of gifted leave on top of the 4 weeks annual leave (gifted leave conditions apply)
* Professional development: Growing organisation with great career opportunities and ongoing training and career growth
* Inclusive culture: Join a friendly, values-driven team passionate about supporting the community
* Employee Assistance Program: Support for your wellbeing
Job requirements:
* You must hold a current South Australian Driver's License or a license which permits you to drive in South Australia.
* Successful candidates will be required to clear and maintain probity checks including National Criminal History Record Check (Police Clearance), Working with Vulnerable People Check and Working with Children Check (applicants need to hold a current WWCC to apply).
About applying:
* Please submit your application via Seek, including a cover letter addressing the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description.
* Visit our website to download the full job description.
* Applications close once position is filled.
* Start date: As soon as possible
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.