Research Operations Specialist

This is a contract role that runs until the end of the current HCD contract period. The exact end date will depend on the program timeframe at commencement.You will join the Local Peoples team, supporting our partnership with the Australian Government under the Human-Centred Design (HCD) contract.

In this role, you will be embedded within the Chief Digital Information Officer Division (CDIOD) – Human-Centred Design (HCD) function, supporting the delivery of scalable, consistent, and high-quality user research operations across multiple teams and programs. You will play a key role in enabling research at scale by strengthening systems, tools, and processes that support participant management, research governance, and knowledge sharing.

Beyond this engagement, you will contribute to broader initiatives that uplift research capability, improve research maturity, and embed human-centred design practices across government.

The position is flexible, with opportunities to work across Brisbane, Melbourne, and Canberra, depending on project requirements.

About the first project

The initial engagement involves supporting the Department’s Human-Centred Design (HCD) function to operationalise and scale user research practices across multiple business areas. You will work closely with HCD practitioners, delivery teams, and external recruitment providers to ensure research is well-coordinated, compliant, and efficiently managed.

The role focuses on strengthening research operations including participant recruitment, consent management, research documentation, and the maintenance of central research repositories such as the Research Library and User Research Tracker. You will also support continuous improvement of research processes, tools, and standards, ensuring alignment with departmental digital experience policies and governance requirements.

This is a fast-paced and evolving environment where priorities, scope, and requirements may shift. You will be expected to apply strong judgement, organisation, and stakeholder engagement skills to deliver high-quality outcomes in a complex setting.

Responsibilities

• Enable and support user research operations across multiple teams and programs

• Manage and maintain research operations systems including the HCD Research Library and User Research Tracker

• Coordinate participant recruitment processes with internal teams and external recruitment providers

• Support research governance including consent management, de-identification, and ethical handling of research data

• Develop and maintain research operations policies, protocols, and standards

• Drive continuous improvement of research tools, workflows, and operational practices

• Lead or contribute to research operations improvement initiatives and special projects

• Support knowledge management, including capture, storage, and organisation of research insights and recordings

• Engage and collaborate with HCD practitioners and multidisciplinary teams conducting user research

• Ensure alignment with departmental digital experience policies, standards, and compliance requirements

Qualifications

• Experience in Research Operations, Human-Centred Design, Service Design, or related disciplines

• Strong understanding of user research processes including recruitment, consent, data handling, and insight management

• Experience managing research repositories, trackers, or knowledge management systems

• Demonstrated ability to work independently under limited direction in complex environments

• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences

Essential Criteria

• Research Operations (Level 3–4): managing end-to-end research operations including participant recruitment, consent, de-identification, and research documentation

• Knowledge Management (Level 3): maintaining structured research libraries, trackers, and repositories

• Digital Tools & Systems (Level 3): proficiency in SharePoint, Microsoft Forms, Excel, and related Microsoft 365 tools

• Stakeholder Engagement (Level 3–4): ability to coordinate across multiple teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders

• Process Improvement (Level 3–4): capability to identify and implement improvements in research workflows and systems

• Organisational Capability (Level 3–4): strong planning, prioritisation, and delivery in ambiguous environments

Residency and Clearance

• Australian Citizenship required

• Baseline Clearance required or ability to obtain one

• Flexible location: Brisbane, Melbourne, or Canberra

Who are Local Peoples?

Local Peoples is a strategic research and design studio based in Melbourne and Canberra.

Our mission is to design healthy, resilient and resourceful communities. We are proud to be a certified B-Corporation with a strong focus on our social, environmental and economic impact.

We work across brand and digital design, place and experience design,, content and community engagement. Our key partners include state and local government, social enterprises, universities and large commercial organisations. All are experiencing complex challenges right now and we believe that design research, thinking and delivery can help to solve these challenges and make positive change for people and the planet.

We produce www.mattersjournal.com, a publication and community of 100K+, which focuses on design-led social innovation and impact.

Why join Local Peoples?

• Representative and inclusive - we are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible workplace for people from diverse backgrounds

• Impact driven - work towards achieving real impact for people and the environment

• Fantastic culture - driven by a welcoming, supportive and collaborative team environment

• Professional support for design excellence- benefit from being a part of one of Australia’s fastest growing design and delivery communities

• Flexible working arrangements - including the ability to work remotely

• Market rate salaries - attractive remuneration packages in line with the market rate

• Flexible employment types - including the preference for permanent, but will consider contracting

Local Peoples proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and First Nations people. We are committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels valued and respected. Together, we strive for equality and a positive future for all.

Local Peoples works, creates, and plays on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, and Wathaurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, land which has never been ceded. We thank them for caring for this land for over 40,000 years and recognize and pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land