We currently have a volunteer opportunity for the following:

Community Development Researcher

Make an Impact and difference that people feel.

Join Australian Business Volunteers on our mission to positively change communities. Whether you are an individual or a business, you can create vibrant and viable communities.

What we do

ABV delivers economic change to communities across the globe through donated business expertise. We create self-reliance and resilience and leave a lasting economic impact – one that endures generations.

How we do it?

We offer meaning opportunities for skilled business professionals to volunteer their expertise across communities in Australia and the Pacific. We work with communities to understand their needs and work with our Skilled Business Volunteers to match them to projects, that bring the right skills at the right time to help deliver outcomes.

About the opportunity

Primary Purpose of the Position

Australian Business Volunteers is partnering with regional stakeholders through the Resilient CARE program to strengthen community resilience in areas facing increasing climate, disaster and service delivery challenges. In the Bundaberg region, many residents in smaller communities such as Gin Gin experience significant barriers to accessing healthcare, essential services, social activities and community support due to limited transport options. Despite multiple community-led attempts to address these challenges, sustainable transport solutions remain difficult to establish.

The Community Resilience Researcher will identify and analyse successful community-owned or community-operated transport models from across Australia and comparable regions. By researching practical case studies, funding approaches, governance structures and lessons learned, the volunteer will provide valuable insights that can inspire and inform local action. The research will help communities explore realistic, sustainable transport solutions that improve access to services, strengthen social connectedness and enhance resilience during future disruptions and emergencies.

Make a lasting impact by helping regional communities discover practical solutions that improve quality of life, strengthen community connections and build resilience for the future.

Selection Criteria:

Essential:

• Experience in desktop research
• Ability to synthesise information from multiple documents into concise, detailed case studies

Desirable:

• Background in or understanding of community development/ sustainability/ social services/not-for-profits/community capacity building

Role information:

• Start 2026
• Approximately 4 weeks
• Online

Interested to Apply?

**Click APPLY. **

Please note, if you are interested in applying for the role, we will require you to meet the following criteria:

• 5 years professional experience in the relevant field
• Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident residing in Australia.
• Willingness to complete a National Police Check
• Willingness to complete a Working with Children Check

What will happen next?

Our volunteer recruitment team will be in touch with you to advise you of the next steps.

Find out what our volunteers love most about working with our communities:

Throughout our 40-year history, ABV has relied on our passionate and committed volunteers who use their impressive business skills to build marketplaces, mentor entrepreneurs, strengthen institutions and transform communities.

Visit our website to see more about what our volunteers have be involved in and view their stories.

ABV is an equal opportunity employer and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally & linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds are encouraged to apply for this position.