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

The Senior Program Officer provides high level coordination and strategic support to the Executive Director and to QARD more broadly. Reporting directly to the Executive Director, this role sits in a small and supportive team within QAR Executive Unit.

This team is responsible for providing centralised corporate functions and HR support to QARD business units and supports the development and delivery of key divisional programs and strategic projects. The team also coordinates the preparation of Possible Parliamentary Questions, Freedom of Information inquiries, correspondence, briefings and responses to media inquiries.

The Senior Program Advisor undertakes and leads a number of projects, programs and activities in QARD simultaneously and works collaboratively with team members, managers and other colleagues across QARD. The position also holds management line responsibility to a VPS4 Project Officer and oversees work priorities assigned to a VPS3 Executive Support Officer.

In addition, the role provides high level executive support to complete and support with confidential HR tasks assigned to the division and supports with workforce strategy cases and the budget FTE forecast process.

This is a full time, ongoing position, based in the East Melbourne Area.

Your duties will include:

• high level project and program management support and ensuring the strategic alignment of initiatives within the Division
• strategic oversight and advice on QARD workforce and structure, including working with the Department's corporate people division
• driving the development of business systems, processes and system improvement
• preparing presentations, correspondence and other briefings as required
• coordinating (and where needed leading) preparation of Possible Parliamentary Questions, responses to Questions on Notice, responses to media inquiries and Freedom of Information inquiries.
• overseeing a strategic approach to internal meetings and events, and other activities as required.

Attributes

• Program/process development, demonstrating analytical, conceptual, and written communication skills.
• Timeframe planning, political and organisational context understanding.
• Self management and drive to build positive working relationships with various stakeholders at a leadership level
• Have discretion and maintain confidentiality
• Collaboration with department, government, and external stakeholders.
• Senior role experience, ability to effectively support and coach colleagues.
• Lead by VPS and organisational values and be able to foster an inclusive, supportive, collaborative culture.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Knowledge of workforce and HR issues is highly regarded
• Relevant tertiary qualification desirable but not required.
• Understanding of early childhood sector is desirable, but not essential.

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in 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 Jade Donovan via jade.donovan@education.vic.gov.au

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 Wednesday 14 May 2025