Project Manager - System 2

System 2 is a charity created by the Behavioural Insights Team. We are seeking a full-time, permanent Project Manager to join our growing team.

We tackle complex social issues by combining systems thinking, behavioural science and deep collaboration. A typical project begins with a mapping of the system and a review of the existing evidence base. Our approach involves collaboration with all the stakeholder groups within a system to build our understanding and identify possible interventions we could test and evaluate to improve the system.

System 2 created the Centre for Behavioural and System Change. As an Approved Research Institute with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status, we are recognised as an organisation undertaking scientific research which is, or may prove to be, of value to Australia. The work undertaken by the Centre is overseen by our Research Committee. For more details about our research and BI approach, please visit out website - https://system2.org.au/research/

What does a Project Manager do at System 2?

Reporting directly to the Executive Officer, you will project manage areas of the charity's research, ensuring work is delivered to a high standard and that a range of key stakeholders are managed effectively. Initially your main focus will be on the next stage of our inaugural project, which involves reimagining the employment services system. You will lead the project, managing a diverse team, drawing upon resources from System 2, the Behavioural Insights Team and beyond. Within System 2, you will line manage one to two junior colleagues, with responsibility for coaching, mentoring, and developing their skills and expertise;

Specifically, the role will involve:

Leading and managing projects throughout the project life cycle:, e.g. leading project teams; overseeing the development and delivery of project deliverables; applying concepts from behavioural science and system thinking to the design of processes, programs, policies and communications; overseeing the design and implementation of field experiments; and, leading work plan development and coordination;

Setting and tracking team performance with clear KPIs and objectives, conducting regular appraisals of your direct reports and providing development-centred feedback to members of your project teams;

Leading and managing people, e.g. line management responsibilities;

Managing funder and stakeholder relationships, e.g. understanding funder and stakeholder priorities, developing new relationships, managing issues, and leading meetings;

Developing and supporting new projects aligned to System 2's mission, e.g. by identifying opportunities and developing proposals for new projects with the potential for significant social impact;

Representing the charity externally through talks, potential media appearances, and written content.

What makes a great Project Manager at System 2?

We are looking for someone who understands what we do, shares our values and is keen to learn and develop their expertise. We are looking for candidates with the skills listed below. We expect to provide training and development support in some of the areas.

• Strong project management skills and experience, particularly in projects with a complex research component. Experience leading delivery end to end and ability to find solutions to difficult project challenges. You can efficiently manage your own time, and where appropriate, that of your colleagues, to produce high-quality work within a reasonable time frame;

• A good understanding of core behavioural science and systems concepts, such as defaults, loss aversion and social norms. and their application. You should understand core behavioural biases and behaviour change techniques and be able to use them in identifying barriers to target behaviours and designing BI solutions;

• Employment services system experience. You have a working understanding of the employment services system, ideally in Australia or another country which shares similar features;

• Exceptional written and verbal communication. You can draft strong reports, build slick slide decks and explain complex topics in simple terms. You can lead workshops and presentations and write clearly and concisely;

• Good understanding of quantitative and qualitative research topics. This includes being able to communicate complex concepts in accessible ways to audiences who may not have any experience of rigorous evaluation;

• Experience presenting to large and/or influential audiences and facilitating workshops with research and policy professionals;

• Scoping projects and winning work. You are able to lead business development by spotting opportunities with new and existing partners and then develop the relationships required to form positive ongoing partnerships;

• Managing and developing yourself at work. You demonstrate high self-awareness and regularly self-reflect. You are aware of the impact that your actions and words have on those around you. You are resilient and accept responsibility for decisions whether they achieve the desired outcome or not;

• Supporting and developing others. You can nurture talent and energise people to perform at their best. You care about the success, development and well-being of others and can have meaningful (and sometimes difficult) conversations;

• Strong cultural sensitivity and experience adapting and delivering work in different contexts - a courteous, diplomatic yet (when needed) assertive manner when dealing with partners;

How to apply

We use a great platform called Applied to reduce bias in the recruitment process. You will need to answer three work-based questions which will be anonymously marked by members of our team. Our selection is based on performance in these questions, alongside the relevant experience demonstrated by your CV.

Candidates with the highest scores will be invited to a structured interview where you get to meet some of the team. At the interview stage you will be asked questions that reflect the role and also to complete a work-based task, so you have the chance to demonstrate your skills. We always give all applicants feedback, no matter what stage your application reaches.

Key dates:

Application deadline: 23rd April 2024 at 9am AEST

Interviews and task completion: 29th or 30th April 2024

If necessary, second round interviews: 3rd May 2024

If you are unavailable for interview on these dates please advise in your application. We’ll let you know if you have been selected for interview on 24th April 2024, and do our best not to change the dates.

Please note:

You will need to have the right to work in Australia in order to be able to undertake this role. We will ask all applicants short-listed for an interview to provide evidence of their right to work during the recruitment process. If you do not have the right to work in Australia for System 2 but are the most suitable person for the role we will explore with you whether sponsorship may be an option. However, this may not always be possible.

Some of the personal data you provide to Applied when you apply for a role with System 2 will be passed on to System 2 and the Behavioural Insights Team for the purposes of (a) reviewing your application; (b) inviting you for an interview; and/or (c) offering you a job and getting you set up as an employee/contractor. For full details on how System 2 and the Behavioural Insights Team collects and uses your personal data please visit our websites - https://system2.org.au/privacy-policy/ and https://www.bi.team/bit-global-recruitment-privacy-notice/

If your application is not successful, any personal data provided to us by Applied (including any personal data relating to equal opportunities monitoring as set out above) will be retained by System 2 and the Behavioural Insights Team for no longer than 6 months after the application deadline has passed (other than in exceptional circumstances where we may need to retain your personal data for longer), at which point your personal data will be securely deleted. We only keep your information for that period in order to allow us to comply with relevant legal obligations.