Research, Strategy & Evaluation

Unit looks to bold future

Dr Jonathon Louth | Executive Manager

Drawing from university sector experience, Strategy, Research & Evaluation's (SRE) role has been to initiate a whole of organisation journey that centres research, evaluation and integrated strategic oversight.

Integral to this is the how (and why) we align this purpose with Centacare's mission, vision and values. Of course, much of this already exists within Centacare, it is a question of enhancing and building on an incredibly strong organisational culture to ensure Centacare remains positioned at the very heart of the community sector.

From assisting with innovative service delivery design, driving research projects, working with university partners, through to the submission of thousands of pages of tender documents, it has been an unparalleled year.

The unique role of SRE is that it intersects with each and every service delivery unit. We have helped deliver and provide ongoing support with the submission and evaluative thinking of new programs and opportunities. We have won the majority of tenders submitted, an impressive accomplishment.

SRE has also worked to develop and mature important stakeholder relationships. The homelessness alliances have been a foundational opportunity to change the very nature of organisational relationships and to embark on brave new funding models that will be watched the world over.

We have also worked more closely with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Nowhere is this more evident than with our new Deadly Connect program based at Northern Carers Network where we are working in partnership with Aboriginal Sobriety Group.

While this journey has only just begun, it is clear that Centacare is an actionbased learning, teaching and research organisation that walks alongside our staff, clients, stakeholders and communities. The SRE unit will be building on this mission into the future.