Research Assistant

Job Description: Research Assistant
Position Purpose: The purpose of this position is to support staff in the research project for

He Kākākura Whakamātau, and to contribute to a culture of research
success and excellence within Whariki. The position will be under the

supervision of the designated academic lead.

Department: Whāriki

Location: Auckland Central

Reports to: Research Officer – Whāriki Research Centre

Responsible for: Nil

Delegations: Nil

Job Title: Assistant – Research Support

Key relationships: Internal External
Primary Investigator – Belinda Key stakeholders including
Borell Community Groups

Other named project staff
Whariki staff

SHORE Staff

Massey University: We are a world-leading university in many academic disciplines and fields
of research. Our point of difference is research that is connected to

community and industry. Our researchers are developing expertise and
skills to advance human knowledge and understanding. Working together
across disciplines and locations, we solve national and global problems

through fundamental, applied and interdisciplinary research, while
culturally and artistically enriching our world.


We are deeply committed to being a Te Tiriti-led university,
demonstrating authentic leadership in contemporary Aotearoa New

Zealand as we uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the founding document of our
nation, and its principles through our practice. We embrace this not just
as an obligation but as a real opportunity for the nation and its people.


Our educators are preparing a new generation of global leaders. Our
students are diverse and are attracted to Massey because they want to

achieve their personal goals or make their mark in the world. They
experience world-class learning that recognises their intellectual and

cultural strengths, expands their horizons and prepares them to
contribute to a rapidly transforming world with skills, critical and creative
thinking and leadership.

We will be renowned for our passion and caring attitude. All Massey
campuses will be innovation ecosystems, acting as magnets for smart

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enterprises. Wherever we are, we will operate in partnerships founded
on respect, trust and mutual benefit. Massey is not only defined by what

we do, but by how we do it.

Ko tou hikoi i runga i oku Whariki
About this area

Ko tou noho i toku whare

E huakina ai toku tatau toku matapihi

Your steps on my Whāriki

Your respect for my home
Open my windows and doors


Whāriki aims to tautoko (support) Māori communities and contribute to
Māori advancement by uplifting the health of Māori people and whenua

(land).

SHORE & Whāriki, comprised of two multidisciplinary research groups, is
a University Research Centre, based in the College of Health at Massey
University. The research centre works in a Te Tiriti o Waitangi

partnership process to produce excellent research with the aim of
improving health and wellbeing in Aotearoa, New Zealand and globally.


He Kākākura Whakamātau is a Whāriki research project that examines
intergenerational effects of Māori experiences of welfare in Aotearoa.

We are specifically interested in analyses of poverty and state care.

Massey core capabilities

At Massey we are Tiriti-led, upholding Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles through our practice, we:

Demonstrate awareness of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and its contribution to Aotearoa New Zealand
society.
Understand the relevance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to the work of the University and
the people we serve.
Embracing Te Reo in relevant and practical ways in our workplace interactions and engagement
with external stakeholders, giving expression to Tikanga Māori and protocols that
demonstrates that we respect and value Māori conventions in appropriate settings.
At Massey we work together with mutual respect and caring. we:

Act with integrity and trustworthiness and give credit to others for the work they do.
Work cooperatively and inter-dependently to foster and promote the One University approach.
Share knowledge and communicate professionally with courtesy and mutual respect.
Are ethical in all transactions, working within the parameters of our policies and procedures.
Are direct, truthful and maintain confidentiality.
Seek to understand and appreciate our differences.
Keep ourselves and others safe; work together to embrace with the University's health, safety
and wellbeing policies, procedures and programmes; display commitment by actively

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supporting all safety and wellbeing initiatives: and by actively engaging in health and safety
improvement opportunities.

At Massey we are future-focused, results- oriented and strive for excellence. we:

Take ownership and responsibility for delivering results to support achievement of University
objectives.
Provide the best quality services to our customers (internal and external) ensuring our
students/ stakeholders are at the heart of everything we do.
Deliver or support world-class research, teaching and learning and citizenship.
Take personal responsibility for our performance, take pride in doing our job well, and commit
to ongoing personal and professional development.
Are motivated and create a positive working environment where our values are reinforced.
Anticipate and respond with agility and resilience to the changing needs of the University and
the communities we serve.
Seek ways to improve our services to deliver in an efficient and effective way.
Embrace technology and apply this innovatively to better meet the needs of those we serve.
Challenge ourselves to reach our potential and help bring out the best in others.
Understand how what we do contributes to the objectives of the University.
Accountabilities

Research Support • Undertake media searches and collect other documents relevant to the
research study using a range of library search engines, online
catalogues and databases.

Collect, code and analyse media items using Microsoft Access,
Microsoft Excel and other database programmes.
Work with team members to assist in the organisation, coding and
analysis of media items and other data using NVIVO and other
qualitative coding schemes.
Work with team members to examine, discuss and analyse quantitative
research findings relevant to the research study.
Undertake training to maintain strict ethical standards of collection,
analysis and usage of sensitive data
Assist in the development of literature reviews and annotated
bibliographies.
Work with colleagues on drafting, editing and producing research
findings for publication.
Develop and maintain effective liaison with colleagues and research
partners.
Other duties or responsibilities which may be assigned by the Principal
Investigator from time to time.
Service • Support the Centre to develop an environment which gives practical

effect to the obligations of the Treaty of Waitangi

Be responsible for one’s own safety and for the safety of others
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University • Ensure the observance of University Policy and codes of practice in all
Responsibilities teaching, community service and administrative practices

Support an environment of collaboration, teamwork and cooperation
Qualifications and Experience

Qualifications: A degree in a relevant area (Social Sciences, Public Health, etc) is
preferred but NOT essential.

Experience: • An interest in Māori research and its connection to social justice, self-
determination and redress.

An understanding of basic te reo and tikanga Māori.
Some experience in working in areas of a complex, sensitive or
delicate nature.

An understanding of quantitative and qualitative research methods
and analysis or a willingness to learn.
Prior experience of working as a member of a team.
Good reading, writing and computer skills.
Experience using range of Microsoft programmes and willingness to
learn more.

Some experience and comfort using online catalogues and databases
(ie, Library catalogues)
Capabilities - Behaviour

Communication • Identifies the primary means of communication and their appropriateness
Essential for different occasions.

Demonstrates the ability to speak, write and present clearly.
Applies the concept of audience analysis to deliver relevant
communications.
Seeks help to understand protocols for communicating to audiences outside
the team.
Working Together • Works with key stakeholders internally and externally. Knows when to apply
Essential confidentiality. Works with key stakeholders internally and externally.

Applies confidentiality when required.

Adapts interaction style appropriate to different situations and people.
Understands the factors for high performance, and creates positive
partnerships and cohesive teams
Works to understand alternative points of view to guide productive working
relationships.
Service Centric
Acts with the internal/external stakeholder or customer in mind, seeks to
Essential
understand and deliver on customer perceptions and expectations.

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Able to respond to common stakeholder queries and problems or escalate if
required.
Responds to unexpected stakeholder requests with a sense of urgency and
positive action.
Provides a level of customer centric service excellence that contributes to
the department’s objectives.
Capabilities - Technical

Accuracy and • Identifies tasks or outputs that require accuracy and detail-level attention.
Attention to Detail • Processes large amounts of detailed information with good accuracy.
Desirable • Utilises specific approaches and tools for checking and cross-checking

outputs.

Develops and uses checklists to ensure that information goes out error-free.
Accurately gauges the impact and cost of errors, omissions, and oversights.
Learns from mistakes and applies lessons learned.
Priority Setting • Understands basic concepts of time and priority management in relation to
Desirable role.

Information • Identifies information capture needs in own area.
Capture • Fulfils routine information capture needs in own area with accuracy,
Desirable efficiency, and attention to detail.

Follows defined procedures to document all routine information.
Identifies relevant established standards, policies and practices.
Cites examples of different types of relevant information that need to be
captured.
Uses automated tools to capture, organise and archive relevant information.
Digital Skills • Able to use basic systems within Massey such as E-mail, Word, Intranet, and

Desirable Internet.

Publication • Lists commonly used publishing service channels (e.g. print and electronic
Processes and media).
Techniques • Converts stakeholders' profiles and requirements into concrete publishing
Desirable plans.

Summarises the key concerns related to each step in the publishing process.
Specifies resources needed in a typical publishing project in terms of
technical, personnel, and fiscal resources.
Monitors the quality of organisational publishing services.
Integrates targeted audience's preferences with publishing designs.
Scholarly • Awareness of basic research processes
Communication

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and Research • Awareness of scholarly publication processes
Desirable • Awareness of difference between scholarly and mainstream publications

Research • Assists with research projects, under the guidance of a supervisor.
Methodology and • Understands research management policies and principles and their
Management

application. Able to identify research analysis standards and activities
Desirable relevant to area of research.

Understands and can outline the research analysis process, including
quality, data capturing and documentation processes.
Implements basic research analysis methods and techniques. Applies
research management practices under guidance through setting of research
goals, milestones and effective project management.
Pre-employment checks

Essential • Requirement to pass a Qualifications Validation Check where
qualifications have been declared.

• Requirement to pass a Criminal and Traffic Convictions (Security)
Check performed by the Ministry of Justice.

A safety check in accordance with the Vulnerable Children Act 2014
and the Vulnerable Children (Requirements for Safety Checks of
Children’s Workers) Regulations 2015 is required. Part of this
process includes a requirement to pass the police vetting part of the
safety check.

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