Unions NSW is the peak council of trade unions in NSW representing over 600,000 members and 47 affiliated unions and trades and labor councils and is part of the broader trade union movement.

Unions NSW is looking for a Research and Campaigns Officer (Migrant Communities) to join our Industrial and Research Team on a full-time basis.  

Job Role and the Industrial Team

Unions NSW is seeking to employ a full-time Research and Campaigns Officer as part of the Unions NSW Industrial Team to work with migrant communities and workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to improve and enforce workplace rights. The role will combine research work and political advocacy with community and union organising.

Job Role

The Research and Campaigns Officer is a research and activist role and will work with Unions NSW Industrial Team to resource and develop a union presence in migrant communities and with workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to improve and enforce workplace rights, while fostering networks between the Visa Assist program and migrant communities.

Main Responsibilities

The Research and Campaign Officer will work with Unions NSW Industrial Team to:

• Work as directed on projects to identify, educate and empower workers from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, particularly temporary migrant workers;
• Work with community organisations and affiliated unions to develop activist networks;
• Promote the Visa Assist program among migrant communities and support strategies to build networks between the program and community leaders.
• Assist in fostering collaboration with community organisations, migrant worker centres, legal services, and academic and research institutions to support Unions NSW migrant worker advocacy.
• Prepare policy positions, research reports and submissions to Government inquiries including the collation of worker stories
• Assisting in the preparation of materials for external stakeholders including elected representatives.
• Participate in structured training and development opportunities as directed.
• Travel as required to work with affiliates and partner organisations in NSW.
• Assisting with other activities as directed by the Secretary.

Essential criteria

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant field, such as social science, law, economics or similar
• Demonstrated experience in conducting research.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of the trade union movement.
• Participation in union, political and/or community campaigns
• Experience working or volunteering with migrant communities and workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Understanding of industrial relations systems, WHS, immigration law and legislation at a NSW and federal level.
• Bi-lingual or Multi-lingual
• High-level written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision to complete allocated tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume workload, multi-task and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to be able to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated skills and proficiency with relevant office computer programs.

Desirable

• Drivers licence.

Conditions and Entitlements

• Personal Leave: 10 days per annum (accumulative)
• Annual Leave: 5 weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Long Service Leave: 2 months after 10 years’ service
• Superannuation: SG employer contributions; extra 2% for female identifying staff.
• Parental Leave: 52 weeks leave including 22 weeks paid parental leave or 3 weeks paid parental leave non-primary carer 

Salary will be subject to qualifications and experience of the success candidate. 

How to apply

Unions NSW encourages applications from people who will enhance our diversity of people, cultural experiences, and perspectives.

1. To apply for this role, please submit a CV (of no more than 3 pages) and a separate Cover Letter addressing the Essential Criteria.
2. Send copies of your CV and Cover Letter to Amy Patrk via email: HR@unionsnsw.org.au
3. Applications close 5:00pm on Monday 1 April 2025.
4. For inquiries, please contact Unions NSW on (02) 9881 5999.