About the Department

The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society. The department supports a culture of leadership, learning and renewal in all workplaces with opportunities for career development and advancement.

About Schools and Regional Services

Schools and Regional Services comprises 17 Areas within four regions across the state, as well as 5 central Divisions. The responsibilities of Schools and Regional Services include:

• service delivery including performance, contract management, funding delivery and acquittal
• program implementation including detailed implementation planning and delivery
• local area engagement, advice, support and partnerships
• workforce capability development, professional practice leadership and delivery
• emergency management including critical incident response
• supporting strong regional partnerships with early childhood services, schools and other education providers to deliver high-quality services and outcomes with a 0-18 focus.

The regional model is designed to:

• connect between central government policy and the delivery of high-quality services to Victorians
• drive outcomes across all stages of learning through expert advice and support
• connect with families, service providers, schools and communities
• lead, collaborate and partner at a local level to overcome social and economic challenges facing our communities, towns and cities
• deliver health, wellbeing and support services to children, young people and their families to assist them in their learning and development
• improve connectedness and transitions between important points in a child's life - such as between early childhood, kindergarten, school and tertiary education
• assist and support children and young people who are vulnerable, disengaged, and those with disabilities or challenging behaviour.

About the Role

Family Violence

The Victorian Government has made a significant commitment to addressing and preventing family violence by accepting all of the 227 recommendations passed down by the Royal Commission into Family Violence. The Royal Commission highlighted the vital role Victorian schools and early childhood services play in preventing and addressing family violence, recommending that that Government mandate respectful relationships education into every Government school (Foundation to Year 12) and Kindergarten in Victoria, implemented though an evidence based whole school/setting approach.

Respectful Relationships promotes positive attitudes and behaviours among children and young people, and is aimed at preventing family violence. It is the Government's vision that "by having this program in all Victorian schools and kindergartens our students will learn at a very young age that the best relationships are respectful ones."

Implementation of the Royal Commission's key recommendation to mandate respectful relationships education in all Victorian government schools is supported by 34 positions across the Department's regional offices. A dedicated Respectful Relationships Unit in the Wellbeing, Health and Engagement Division of the Department and will work closely with regional staff.

As part of a statewide team embedded in local areas, 17 Respectful Relationships Project Leads will be located within the Department's 17 learning places across Victoria to support and drive the delivery of the Respectful Relationships commitment.

The Respectful Relationships Project Lead will be responsible for supporting and building the capacity of school leaders, teachers, other school based staff and early childhood educators to implement a whole school/setting approach to Respectful Relationships as part of a wider whole of community commitment to family violence prevention. The position will develop strong working relationships with key stakeholders in the family violence sector and other key regional partners.

Strong stakeholder engagement skills will be essential to deliver this project - along with a comprehensive knowledge of Victorian early childhood and school education.

The Project Lead will need to have a strong understanding of the current issues and opportunities associated with prevention of family violence and respectful relationships education, in both early childhood and schools.

Attributes

Can you demonstrate specialised expertise and knowledge of program and project management, exceptional stakeholder management skills, innovative thinking, effective communication, and adept problem-solving abilities? You must possess the ability to navigate complex issues and make decisions that impact staff and stakeholders both within and beyond your immediate work area. Your capacity for collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating genuine relationships will be pivotal for your success.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Essential : Bachelor's degree Education, Community Development or a related field

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. Apply with your resume and cover letter outlining your experience and how that relates to the key section criteria

The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Jacqueline Fox, Health, Wellbeing and Specialist Services Manager via 0499 767 573or [email protected]

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 16 March 2025