Principal Project and Research Officer

We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of this land. We recognise the continuing connection to land, waters, culture and community of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and recognise the strength, resilience and diversity of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across this land.

Pool Recruitment Process

We are currently seeking to establish a pool of Principal Project and Research Officers, Level 7. Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which permanent or temporary appointments may be made. The pool will operate for 12 months from the date of initial placement in the pool.

Temporary appointments from the pool may be filled through acting, secondment, or fixed term contract arrangements. Where temporary appointments are made, these appointments have the possibility of extension and/or permanent appointment at a later date.

Please note that appointment to a pool does not guarantee an offer of employment. The pool may also be used to fill vacancies within the agency which utilise similar skills.

About the Western Australian Ombudsman

The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administrative Investigations – more commonly known as the Ombudsman:

• Protects People’s Rights: we give people a way to ensure they are heard when they feel they’ve been treated unfairly.
• Improves Services and Build Trust in Government: we can investigate how services are delivered and bring weaknesses to the attention of decision-makers. In doing so, we improve service delivery for all Western Australians.
• Prevents Harm: through death reviews, investigations and oversight of how organisations respond to allegations of child related harm, we identify opportunities to prevent deaths and strengthen the safety net around children.
• Supports Vulnerable Communities: we can focus on people who are often overlooked or disadvantaged, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are considered.

The Ombudsman also undertakes the role of the Energy and Water Ombudsman and is the Charitable Trusts Commissioner.

Staff of the Ombudsman’s Office

The staff of the Ombudsman’s office are its key resource. The office supports professional development through education and training and flexible work arrangements may be negotiated.

Equity and Diversity

The Ombudsman’s office provides services to a diverse range of people within the Western Australian community, and is committed to creating an equitable and diverse workforce. We encourage people with disabilities, people from culturally diverse backgrounds, and women and young people to apply. The office of the Ombudsman may prioritise recruitment decisions based on the Equal Opportunity Act Western Australia 1984 (EOA 1984).

The Ombudsman’s office is committed to growing the Aboriginal workforce. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position under Section 51 of the EOA 1984 as a measure to achieve equality and increase workforce representation of Aboriginal people.

The position is covered by the Public Sector CSA Agreement 2024 and is located in the CBD, Perth Western Australia.

This Position

Please be aware that this role includes exposure to confronting and distressing material involving child abuse, child death and family and domestic violence fatalities.’

The Principal Project & Research Officer leads and undertakes complex reviews and investigations into certain child deaths and family and domestic violence fatalities. The role provides high-level research and analysis, contributes to systemic improvement, and leads discrete projects and stakeholder engagement activities. The position operates with a high degree of independence and provides guidance and mentoring to other staff.

All key duties and selection criteria are provided in the attached Job Description Form.

Would you like to know more?

About the position:  Justine Vassilios, Director Projects and Research on (08) 9220 7***

Submitting your application:  Linda Keys, Executive Support Officer on (08) 9220 7***

How to Apply

Prospective applicants must obtain a Job Application Package and Job Description Form which provides details about the duties of the position and the selection criteria. These are attached above.

Click on the ‘Apply for Job’ button at the top or bottom of this advertisement to lodge your application. You are required to attach the following:

• A covering letter (no more than a single page) outlining your skills, experience and suitability for the position; and
• A comprehensive curriculum vitae that details your duties and achievements from current and previous roles and shows that you have the skills, knowledge and experience to do the job. This should include names and contact details of two referees.

You do not need to submit a separate statement addressing the selection criteria.

If you experience any difficulties submitting your application online, or downloading the attached documents, please contact Linda Keys, Executive Support Officer on (08) 9220 7***.

Security Clearance

A current, satisfactory National Police Certificate will be required prior to commencing employment.

Other Information

To achieve a broad field of applicants, we may conduct an executive search and may use this process to continue to recruit applicants after the closing date.

Closing Date: Applications must be received by 2 September 2026, 1:00pm (WST).

Late applications will not be accepted.