About the Department

The department provides a wide range of learning and development support and services.

The department provides policy leadership, plans for the future of education in Victoria and leads key cross-sector collaboration. The department plays an important system steward role by providing support, guidance, oversight and assurance across early childhood and school education systems, as well as directly providing school education and 50 new early learning centres.

About the Division

The Assurance, Knowledge and Executive Services Division (AKESD) has the following functions under the Assurance Branch, Knowledge, Privacy and Records Branch, and Executive and Ministerial Services Branch:

• internal audit planning and delivery, School Council Financial Assurance program and follow-up of audit action implementation
• supporting the Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO) performance audits and the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
• Cabinet and Parliament services, including board appointments and diversity on boards
• Freedom of Information (FOI)
• briefings and correspondence support and services
• departmental Liaison Unit
• Privacy, Intellectual Property and Copyright, Knowledge and Records Management policies, standards, compliance advice and services
• SharePoint user services
• mail, digitisation and archive services.

There are 3 branches within the division:

• Assurance
• Executive and Ministerial Services
• Knowledge, Privacy and Records.

Assurance comprises of 5 units:

• Audit Planning
• Business Assurance and Planning
• Compliance and Operational (Schools)
• Compliance and Operational (Corporate)
• Performance and Data.

The branch is responsible for

• internal audit planning and delivery (including for government schools and the new Early Learning and Childcare Centres)
• following up and reporting on the implementation of audit actions (for corporate and schools)
• improving the use of data management and analytics for audit and assurance activities,
• audit improvement initiatives
• providing secretariat support for the Audit and Risk Committee (ARC)
• coordinating VAGO performance audits.

Executive and Ministerial Services comprises 3 units:

• Cabinet and Parliament
• Freedom of Information (FOI)
• Ministerial and Portfolio Services.

The branch is responsible for leading the department's support services for ministerial offices and managing freedom of information, and cabinet and parliament processes.

The Cabinet and Parliament unit is responsible for the department's Cabinet and Parliament business processes, including providing specialist advice, reporting and coordination. The unit also coordinates and provides policy and business process advice on achieving board diversity, good practice recruitment, remuneration and appointments.

The FOI Unit plays a crucial role in managing FOI requests. The FOI legislation allows individuals to access information held by public authorities, promoting transparency and accountability. When someone submits an FOI request related to education matters, the FOI Unit processes the request ensuring compliance with legislative requirements, facilitating access to relevant documents while safeguarding sensitive information.

The Ministerial and Portfolio Services (MaPS) team coordinates the department's delivery of high quality, accurate and timely advice to our ministers and assists each of our ministers with the efficient functioning of their office as it relates to the department.

The team is responsible for ministerial international travel coordination, and briefings and correspondence coordination, guidance and reporting across the department, the Office of the Secretary, and ministerial offices.

The Knowledge, Privacy and Records comprises 5 units:

• Knowledge Solutions
• Privacy and Knowledge Management
• Records and Mail Services
• Strategic Operations
• Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information Project.

The branch is responsible for leading the department's management of corporate knowledge, privacy, intellectual property and records, which includes supporting departmental compliance with relevant legislation, policy and standards.

The branch is also leading 3 major, multi-year projects:

• Records Management Program
• Digital Content Management Program
• Safeguarding Personally Identifiable Information Project.

About the Role

The Freedom Information Officer reports to the Manager of the FOI Unit. The role will support the Team Leader with the delivery of timely FOI services to applicants; in conjunction with supporting management and the team to process requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act).

The incumbent will build relationships with a range of stakeholders, support and promote the release of documents and making decisions under the FOI Act. They will apply their skills in other related contexts such as reviews and complaints before the Victorian Information Commissioner.

Attributes

To be successful in this role you will have:

• Extensive experience processing requests under the FOI Act;
• to process requests and make FOI decisions in accordance with the legislative requirements of the FOI Act and Professional Standards;
• the ability to operate with an increased level of autonomy and accountability within a team environment;
• to be able to provide professional and timely advice on a wide range of FOI related matters;
• to be able to review material identified in response to the FOI application to determine relevance and the scope within the FOI Act;
• excellent time management skills and the ability to manage competing priorities effectively;
• the ability to manage stakeholders through effective negotiation and influence;
• strong verbal and written communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

This role requires a minimum of two years extensive experience in processing FOI requests and preparing submissions to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC).

Having a customer focused attitude within a dynamic environment with competing and changing priorities.

Experience in a government department or agency and working in a team environment is desirable.

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 Shane Skelton - Team Leader via (03) 7022 5481 or shane.skelton@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 Monday, 30 June 2025.