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.

Further information about the department is available at: www.vic.gov.au/education

About the Division

The Department of Education is the Victorian Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services under delegation from the Secretary. The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) in the department regulates and quality assesses Victorian ECEC services. It drives the delivery of high-quality services and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of Victorian children attending those services.

QARD regulates approximately 4,900 services including family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten services, as required by the Education and Care Services National Law (National Law). QARD also regulates around 180 services operating under the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 (Children's Services Act); these include occasional care and limited hours services.

QARD is responsible for:

• approving providers and services as required by the National Law and Children's Services Act
• monitoring service compliance and conducting investigations in response to notifications and complaints
• assessment and rating of family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten services against the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care
• supporting legislative policy development.

QARD is also the integrated sector regulator of the Child Safe Standards for all early childhood services in Victoria.

Further information about QARD is available at: www.vic.gov.au/role-quality-assessment-and-regulation-division

The Early Childhood Legislative Reform Unit in QARD undertakes the following functions:

Policy development and coordination

• provides legislative policy advice on the Education and Care Services National Law (where Victoria is the host jurisdiction) and National Regulations, the Children's Services Act 1996 and Children's Services Regulations 2020, and the interface with other laws
• supports Victoria's participation in the national early childhood policy forum
• leads the national Legislation Working Group which develops legislative amendments to the National Law and Regulations.

External communications and strategic stakeholder engagement

• leads QARD's overall stakeholder engagement and communication strategy and coordinates engagement activities
• oversees QARD's web presence and general communications
• leads production of QARD's regular external communications activities.

About the Role

There is one ongoing position, and 2 fixed term positions for 18 months until 30 September 2026.

Working as part of a small, dynamic team the Senior Policy Advisor will be developing policy and informing projects, including:

• Providing well informed, reasoned and concise advice, recommendations and innovative policy options to address emerging regulatory practice and policy issues, including work to support Victoria's strategic interests in the national early childhood policy forum. Includes working closely with the DE Intergovernmental Relations Branch.
• Supporting the early childhood legislative reform agenda through sound policy advice, analysis, planning, project management and stakeholder management. Includes working closely with the DE Legal Division on legislative projects.
• Preparing a range of materials for internal and external audiences, such as Cabinet submissions, reports, briefs, presentations, agendas and minutes, regulatory guidance, web content and publications.

A key focus of the work will be implementing the outcomes of the Review of child safety arrangements under the National Quality Framework (the regulatory framework for early childhood education and care services).

Attributes

We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed team player with the following skills:

• Policy development and analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication, the ability to simplify and organise complex information
• Practical problem-solving ability
• Planning and organising, especially for legislative projects
• Stakeholder management and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levels
• A legal qualification or experience with legislative processes would be an advantage.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable:

• Tertiary qualification in Law or
• Experience working with legislation or in legislative policy development

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. Please note this role is not required to manage people.

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 Amanda Powell, Manager Early Childhood Legislative Reform, [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 21 March 2025