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 International Education and Partnership Division (IEPD) provides strategic advice and sector-level support for some of the department's key functions and obligations in relation to international education, the non-government school sector and the use of animals in teaching. The division develops and maintains strategic partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders in different education sectors and levels of government and carries out regulatory functions and responsibilities under various Acts to ensure compliance in Victorian schools.

About the Role

The Principal Adviser, Teaching with Animals will work alongside the Victorian School's Animal Ethics Committee (VSAEC) Secretariat to lead the design and development of robust processes, policies, guidance, procedures, training and systems to fulfil the department's legislative and regulatory obligations associated with the care, welfare, and use of animals for scientific purposes in Victorian schools.

The role requires the Principal Adviser, Teaching with Animals to:

• undertake research and analysis of issues to inform decision making relating to the department's Teaching with Animals (TWA) program to ensure the operations and functions of the VSAEC fulfil the department's legislative and regulatory obligations.
• lead the design and development of a new TWA school portal to support school project applications and the department's reporting obligations to regulatory authorities.
• develop a department database to track the number, type, and status of school projects in government and non-government schools, including complaints and adverse events.
• review the TWA policy and guidance to reflect animal welfare legislative reforms impacting schools (new Animal Care and Protection laws are due to take effect in 2024)
• develop written materials, including standard operating procedures, training, and education programs (e.g. eLearn modules) to support / promote ‘Teaching with Animals' in Victorian schools.

The role actively builds and maintains relationships with departmental stakeholders and undertakes capability and communication activities to support effective planning, risk management, and reporting activities.

 
Attributes

Managing People: Role models ethical leadership through decision making and interactions with people. Creates a culture that enables others to perform at their best and achieve outcomes for the department. Champions people engagement as an priority. Provides thought leadership on people management across the service.

Develop Capability: Develops and applies frameworks to develop capability at department level. Clearly defines role expectations, monitors performance, provides timely and constructive feedback and facilitates employee development. Empowers others by providing them with the authority and latitude to accomplish tasks. Creates learning opportunities and appropriately delegates responsibilities to further the development of others. 

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Considers a broad range of topics (beyond immediate area of work), works across government and at senior levels to develop and deliver sustainable solutions. 

Flexibility and Adaptability: Works to find new ways to deliver outcomes. Recognises the merits of different options and acts accordingly. Has courage to alter strategies in situations when there are clear indications of existing strategy may not deliver the best outcome. Builds commitment of others to adopt new strategies to deliver against outcomes. 

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Relevant tertiary qualification in Science and specilasit expertise in Teaching with Animals, namely knowledge of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and the Australian code for the care and use of animals for scientific purpose 2013.

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 Linda Vaughan, Executive Director, via Linda.Vaughan@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, 2 June 2025