Research Interviewer - Youth Mental Health Survey

Kia ora, talofa lava, mālō e lelei, kia orana, bula vinaka!
Join a team helping to shape the future for Aotearoa by reflecting all voices in our work. We embrace connections with diverse communities, and we welcome applications from all ethnicities.

At Ipsos, we believe in whanaungatanga (building relationships), and we are proud to have a culture that values inclusion and diversity. While we embrace the entrepreneurial spirit of a small, boutique firm, we also bring the scale and global reach of a large agency, making our work dynamic and exciting.

Ipsos is a leading global market research and public sector research company. With an impressive reputation, wealth of experience and a mission-driven team we empower policy makers by delivering quality data and insights, driving impactful decision-making, and shaping policies to enhance the wellbeing of our people, while giving our communities a voice. 

About The Role
Make a Real Difference to Youth Mental Health in Aotearoa.  Ipsos is proud to partner with the University of Canterbury and Oranga Tamariki on a vital new study into child mental health. This landmark survey will provide crucial insights to help shape the future of mental health services for young people in New Zealand.

We are seeking a team of 15 empathetic, professional, and resilient Research Interviewers to be the face of this important project. In this role, you will be responsible for engaging directly with caregivers and young people (ages 12-18), creating a safe and supportive environment to gather high-quality data.
Key Responsibilities:

• Recruitment & Scheduling:  Contact sampled households by phone to recruit caregivers, explain the study, and schedule interview appointments.
• Conducting Interviews: Administer a 60-minute structured survey with caregivers, either in-person (Face-to-Face) at their homes or remotely via Zoom.
• Supporting Youth Participants: Provide a link and a device to complete their own self-complete survey, and supervise appropriately to ensure a comfortable experience.
• Technology & Administration: Confidently use online survey platforms.
• Travel & Logistics: Travel to participants' homes for face-to-face interviews (approximately 70% of the work).
• Safety & Ethics: Strictly adhere to all project protocols, including specific consent procedures and escalation pathways for handling sensitive information and high-risk situations.

What We're Looking For:

• Essential: 
  • Proven experience in a role requiring direct public engagement, such as social research, market research interviewing, community outreach, or a related field.
  • Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build rapport quickly and effectively with people from all walks of life, including youth.
    • A high degree of empathy, emotional maturity, and resilience to professionally handle conversations on sensitive topics related to mental health.
    • Strong organisational and time-management skills to manage your own schedule of appointments.
    • Technologically confident, with experience using laptops/tablets and video conferencing software like Zoom.
    • A valid full driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle for travel.
    • The ability to work independently while following structured procedures and protocols precisely.

• Highly Desirable:
  • Experience working with young people (ages 12-18) or in the mental health sector.
  • Previous experience conducting face-to-face or phone research interviews.

What We Offer:

• Competitive Independent Contractor rates and reimbursement for travel expenses.
• The opportunity to be part of a landmark national study that will make a real difference.
• Comprehensive, paid training delivered by Ipsos and the University of Canterbury, including specialised training on mental health-specific tools, consent procedures, and safety protocols.
• Enjoy the flexibility of determining your own hours and managing your schedule to best meet your personal and professional needs.
• The ability to achieve self-determined success by taking ownership of your work and contributing to an impactful project.

If you are a compassionate and professional individual looking for a meaningful, Independent Contractor role, we would love to hear from you.