Fieldwork Coordinator

About the role

The role will include co-ordinating community engagement and consultation; pre-testing of survey questionnaires; and training, supervision and mentoring of Aboriginal researchers undertaking interviews with Aboriginal families in urban, regional and remote areas of South Australia.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supervision and mentoring of a small team of Aboriginal researchers involved in conducting interviews and yarning circles in the Aboriginal Families Study.
• Working with other members of the research team to facilitate community engagement and follow-up of families living in urban and regional areas of South Australia.
• Liaising with local community organisations, schools, Aboriginal health services and other local community organisations to facilitate conduct of interviews and yarning circles.
• Implementing culturally and ethically sound practices, regarding participant engagement, including procedures for obtaining informed consent.
• Oversight of project data bases, data management and data security procedures during fieldwork.
• Co-ordination and oversight of risk assessment and risk management procedures to facilitate occupational health and safety during fieldwork.
• Maintaining accurate confidential records of all project-related activities.
• Opportunity to contribute to co-authored publication outputs including peer reviews papers and research reports.
• Working with guidance of the Aboriginal Families Study Aboriginal Governance Group.
• Participation in Aboriginal and team cultural activities.

About You

The successful candidate will possess the following key attributes:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or extensive experience working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research and/or communities.
• Experience in Aboriginal health research and/or public health research.
• Experience working with diverse Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and their families.
• Experience in maintaining privacy and confidentiality of participant and project information.
• Demonstrated experience in accurate data collection and record keeping.
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written.
• Demonstrated ability to engage with mothers, young people and families in a respectful and culturally safe manner, including conducting sensitive discussions with empathy, discretion, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and key stakeholders in research to achieve agreed goals and objectives.
• Meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent organisational skills, with ability to manage time and priorities effectively and use initiative.
• Proficient computing skills, including word processing, spreadsheets, internet and email.
• Willingness to learn new skills.

Special Requirements

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.
• Some out of hours’ work and overnight stays for two or more nights will be required.
• DCSI Working with Children Check employment screening and National Police Checks are required.
• Primarily located at SAHMRI Women and Kids, SAHMRI - Adelaide. Regular travel is required in urban, regional and remote locations, expenses will be covered by the workplace. Travel will be undertaken with a team member.
• SAHMRI is required to implement the Addressing vaccine preventable disease: Occupational assessment, screening and vaccination policy for SAHMRI employees carrying out work in any SA Health Facility.
  • Immunisation Risk for this position is - Category A

Everything we do is underpinned by our core values and our institute is dedicated to grow a culture that pursues, enables and demands research excellence. We are proud of the work we do and work hard as a team to make a positive difference to the community.  Our values of excellence, innovation, courage, integrity and teamwork are what help us achieve our goals. If these are also your values and goals, apply today.

As a not-for-profit organisation, SAHMRI employees can access salary packaging options up to $15,900. Salary packaging lets you pay for things like the everyday costs of living with money from your salary before tax. This reduces your taxable income, meaning you could pay less tax and take home more of what you earn. For more information on salary packaging please see the Maxxia website.

For a copy of the position description, please click here.

For more information, please contact Arwen Nikolof at  Arwen.Nikolof@sahmri.com

Applications close: 23 September 2026

Applications may close earlier than advertised if a suitable candidate is found prior to the close date.

SAHMRI considers that being Aboriginal or a Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational requirement for this position under sub-s 56(2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA). To be eligible to apply for this position, applicants must identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and proof of Aboriginality will be required.