National Research Coordinator

National Research Coordinator - Flexible Location

United Workers Union

An exciting opportunity exists for a person to join the United Workers Union as National Research Coordinator. The National Research Coordinator will strategically support and shape the organising and campaigning work of the union, as well as lead our Australia-wide team of research analysts. The role is offered for a 12-month, full-time basis to cover a period of parental leave. The role can be based in any capital city in Australia.

A day in the life of a union researcher includes mapping corporate structures; monitoring industry, economic and public policy developments; identifying influence amongst stakeholders; investigating leverage points for organising; and writing up findings and advice in engaging and succinct ways. If we could compose the perfect candidate you would have superior analytical and writing skills, paired with an ability to engage critically and constructively with the world and the people you work with.

United Workers’ Union is a powerful member-led union whose sole purpose is to serve the collective interests of members in workplaces and communities by winning significant and long‑lasting gains.

The Union is driving change by growing union membership, developing leadership amongst our members, encouraging active member participation in the union, building and enforcing standards in our sectors, and campaigning both politically and in the community.

As a union with a proudly diverse membership, we are committed to equity and inclusion; and continuing to build a union that is truly representative of the workers we cover. We strive to ensure that every member’s voice can be heard and create opportunities for participation from members with diverse backgrounds in all activities/functions of the Union. We encourage applications from people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

• Work with Union leadership to provide advice on emerging industrial issues and proposals for incorporating industrial strategies into growth campaigns;
• Be part of the leadership of Strategic Power (the legal and research team within the UWU);
• Manage a small, high‑impact team;
• Undertake research on industries, companies and issues by drawing on corporate, industry, financial, economic and policy information and data;
• Monitor economic, industrial, environmental and social performance, outlook and trends of industries and companies to support organising goals and member growth;
• Provide strategic and evidence‑based research and campaign advice, reports, briefing papers and publications;
• Develop, maintain and report on industry and campaign databases (and other information management systems);
• Prepare policy submissions for government inquiries and consultations and provide research on issues of public policy such as economics, immigration, social policy, retirement and labour market issues to assist in the development of the union’s policy positions;
• Map and analyse stakeholders and identify opportunities for engagement. Some potential engagement with stakeholders around research or industry issues;
• Conduct primary research with members to empower their voices in the workplace;
• Ensure that the Union’s values of equity, diversity and inclusion are upheld and promoted.
• Effectively manage time and allocate resources;
• Build and maintain relationships with other Unions and with relevant institutional and employer organisations;
• Communicate effectively within the organisation and build and maintain effective relationships with our executive and other portfolios within the union.

To be considered, you will have:

• Experience in leadership, running and managing a team;
• Experience providing high‑level strategic advice to trade unions, or similar organisations;
• Demonstrated passion and drive to improve workers’ lives;
• Highly developed analytical skills and a university qualification that has taught you how to think critically and strategically;
• An ability to source a wide range of corporate, financial, economic and policy data and synthesise relevant…