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 programs, as required by the Education and Care Services National Law 2010 (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 programs against the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and School Age 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

About the Role

Located in the Regions Performance and Support Unit, the Senior Program Advisor contributes to how QARD regulates and quality assesses ECEC services. The incumbent will support the development and implementation of projects and policy initiatives across a range of areas within QARD, ensuring the division drives the delivery of high-quality services that focus on the safety, health and wellbeing of Victorian children using those services.

This role includes leadership and collaboration with staff within QARD, in other divisions and groups across the Department, and with a range of internal and external stakeholders.

Working within a small team, the key duties of this role include:

• preparing operational policy advice and guidance, including in relation to compliance, quality and child safety issues, to support the delivery of regulatory activity across the regions
• ensuring objectives are met by producing detailed project, change and communications plans, identifying logical next steps and monitoring the progress of deliverables
• collaborating with QARD's regional teams and internal and external stakeholders to develop and deliver operational policy, projects and programs
• developing internal and external communications, and representing QARD at meetings
• preparing complex briefs, policy guidance materials, emails, presentations and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language for a range of audiences.

This is a 12-month fixed term position. The position is based in QARD's central office but may involve travel to metropolitan and regional areas.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to lead projects, programs and priority initiatives
• strong knowledge of policy development, project and change management methodologies and tools
• strong organisational and planning skills and be able to work independently under limited guidance to prioritise work and meet timelines
• strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to use initiative and innovative thinking to shape outcomes, identify and respond to risk and solve complex problems
• a sound understanding of the broader regulatory and early childhood environment (or ability to acquire)
• exceptional communication skills, including the ability to communicate detailed information clearly, accurately and professionally, both verbally and in writing
• excellent stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to influence and negotiate effectively with a range of stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Desirable: Relevant qualifications in policy and/or project management; knowledge of early childhood education.

Essential: Hold a valid Victorian Working with Children's Check and Victorian driver's licence.

Further Information

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 3 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in the application.

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 John Kouvelas, Senior Manager Regions Performance and Support via (03) 7022 1265 or [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 30/04/2025.