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.

About the Victorian School Building Authority

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s. 

The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.  

With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program. 

About the Division

The Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.  

The Asset Strategy Branch sits within the Strategy and Planning Division in the VSBA. The Asset Strategy Branch is responsible for asset strategy and operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, information management, budget strategy and coordination.

The Branch carries out activities such as developing business cases for the State Budget, developing and reviewing policies for school and early childhood learning asset management, and developing strategies to improve asset management practice and asset performance.

The Strategy and Investment Unit develops frameworks and strategies to improve the asset management system (AMS) across the education portfolio.  In addition to the continuous monitoring of the AMS, the unit identifies gaps and initiatives to improve and expand the Victorian school and early childhood asset portfolios.

About the Role

The Strategy and Investment Unit is seeking a VPS4 Policy Adviser to contribute towards strategic policy projects that improve and expand the Victorian school and early childhood asset portfolios. The role requires strong attention to detail, with the ability to support the development and maintenance of a suite of frameworks and strategic plans as well as carrying out analysis that will drive better asset management outcomes and assure compliance with overarching whole-of-government initiatives. The adviser will also support the unit to monitor our work plan and ensure our efforts are aligned with our strategic plan and purpose.

This is a critical opportunity to be part of a high-impact team that is involved in shaping the future of education infrastructure in Victoria.

Key role responsibilities include:

• Providing support in the development and maintenance of policies, strategic plans and frameworks and associated reporting
• Liaising with other parts of the organisation to gather data to inform the strategic plans and analysis
• Promoting and maintaining strong relationships with key stakeholders within the Authority, across the department and also across wider Government
• Undertaking policy analysis to provide options and recommendations to management
• Monitoring the work plan for the unit and undertaking secretariat duties as required.

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter.  Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team.

Attributes

The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of policy development and project management along with strong communication skills.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable : Bachelor's degree in a related field such as public policy, management, or asset management.

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 Chris Carpenter – Manager, Strategy and Investment Unit via (03) 7022 1665 or chris.carpenter@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 Sunday, 23 March 2025