Data and Research Assistant

The Salvation Army is a Christian movement and one of Australia's largest and most-loved charities. We believe in doing good that transforms lives and futures for the better. It is this belief which drives us to find new ways and places where we can make a difference. From times of personal crisis to moments of national grief, we are always here — providing support, safety, community, and opportunity.

The Salvation Army is seeking a capable and analytically minded Data & Research Assistant to join the Research team within the Centre for Mission Impact on a permanent full‑time basis. This role is well‑suited to an early‑career professional who has moved beyond foundational research support and is ready to take on greater responsibility for data analysis, insights generation, and stakeholder‑facing outputs, while continuing to develop under senior guidance.

The role can be based in Sydney (NSW) or Melbourne (VIC) and offers a hybrid working arrangement, combining time working from home with time in the office. Reporting to the Executive Manager, Research, you will work closely with Research Analysts and Senior Research Analysts to support evidence‑informed decision‑making across The Salvation Army’s social, community, and faith‑based services.

Permanent | Full‑time | Centre for Mission Impact – Research (Sydney or Melbourne)

About the role

As a Data & Research Assistant, you will play a key supporting role in managing data requests, conducting analysis, and translating data into meaningful insights. Projects span diverse areas such as family violence, homelessness, youth, disaster relief, financial counselling, poverty alleviation, alcohol and other drugs. Compared to the entry‑level Research Assistant role, this position requires greater technical capability, initiative, and independence, particularly in quantitative analysis, data visualisation, and responding to ad‑hoc analytic requests.

You will contribute substantively to research, evaluation, and outcomes measurement activities, working closely with Research Analysts and senior team members. Through your analytical work and high‑quality data products, you will be a trusted contributor to project delivery, supporting evidence‑informed decision‑making across The Salvation Army.

How you will make an impact

• Manage and respond to routine data, community profile, and analytical requests, escalating complex issues as required.
• Extract, clean, prepare, and analyse quantitative and qualitative data from systems and databases, using tools such as Excel and statistical software (e.g. SPSS, R).
• Analyse and synthesise data, research findings, and literature—under guidance from senior staff—to produce accurate insights and practical recommendations.
• Produce high‑quality outputs including reports, briefing papers, literature reviews, dashboards, community profiles, and data visualisations tailored to different audiences.
• Visualise and communicate data clearly so findings are accessible and meaningful to non‑technical stakeholders.
• Support the design and delivery of research, evaluation, and outcomes measurement activities, including surveys, interviews, focus groups, and fieldwork, in line with best practice.
• Ensure data is collected, stored, and managed in ways that meet organisational, funding, and ethical requirements.
• Identify data quality issues, risks, or inefficiencies and discuss these proactively with Research Analysts or the Manager.
• Maintain research repositories, databases, documentation, and project records so information is accurate and up to date.
• Provide coordination and logistical support for research activities, including meetings, travel, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrate continuous learning and contribute positively to a geographically diverse research team.

What you will bring

• At least 1 year of experience in quantitative research, data analysis, or a related analytical role, preferably in a research, policy, evaluation, or social impact context.
• A Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in a relevant field such as Statistics, Mathematics, Health or Social Sciences, Public Health, or a related discipline.
• Intermediate‑level statistical skills, with experience using Excel and at least one statistical or analytical package (e.g. SPSS, R, SAS).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on data tasks, manage competing priorities, and deliver outputs within agreed timeframes.
• Experience conducting literature reviews and synthesising evidence, ideally related to community or social justice contexts.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with excellent attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Clear and effective written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present data and findings to non‑research audiences.
• High computer literacy and confidence learning new data, survey, or visualisation tools.
• A collaborative, improvement‑focused mindset aligned with The Salvation Army’s values.
• Willingness to undergo a National Criminal History Check (and Working with Children Check if required).
• Willingness to travel for fieldwork or stakeholder engagement.

What we offer

As a registered not‑for‑profit organisation, we offer a supportive and purpose‑driven work environment, including:

• Generous tax‑free salary packaging benefits
• Employee Assistance Program for you and your immediate family
• Corporate private health insurance rates
• Opportunities to build advanced data and research skills while being mentored by experienced researchers
• Hybrid working arrangements, combining time at home and in the office

Our commitment to diversity

The Salvation Army Social Mission embraces diversity and strongly encourages applications from:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• People who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Intersex
• People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

We are a child‑safe organisation committed to protecting children and young people from harm and to fostering inclusive and respectful workplaces.

Please submit your CV and a response to the selection criteria.

The Salvation Army is an Equal Opportunity Employer who provides an inclusive work environment and embraces the diverse talent of its people. We value people of all cultures, languages, capacities, sexual orientations, gender identities and/or expressions. W e are committed to achieving a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation and is committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All child facing roles will require the successful completion of a Working with Children Check. Applicants for all roles require a mandatory Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

We value Integrity, Compassion, Respect, Diversity, and Collaboration