A rewarding opportunity for an experienced professional to support school leaders to respond to current significant child safety incidents and to assist people impacted by child sexual abuse in the Victorian government school system to navigate support options available.  

About the role

The Senior Advisor will play a critical role within the department's Restorative Engagement and School Support branch, working flexibly across two teams; the Sexual Harm Response team and the Restorative Engagement and Support team.

The Restorative Engagement and Support team is responsible for implementing services and supports for former students who are victim survivors of historical child sexual abuse in a Victorian government school including management of a website and telephone service for former students a restorative engagement program to offer an apology and acknowledgement to victim-survivors, and funding for counselling supports. The team also supports school leaders to respond to historical child sexual abuse in a sensitive, respectful and accountable way, and is responsible for supporting the statewide public apology to victim-survivors, to be delivered in Parliament later this year

The Sexual Harm Response unit supports schools and other areas of the department respond to allegations, findings and charges of child sexual abuse by an adult working in a Victorian government school, with a strong focus on child safety and wellbeing.

The Senior Advisor will also play an important role supporting a variety of cross-team functions including the department's counselling assistance payments for current and former students who have experienced child sexual abuse by an adult working in a government school, the branch's case and records management system, and reporting to senior leaders on the work of the branch.

Capabilities

The Senior Advisor must demonstrate:

• Excellent communication skills (written, listening and verbal), attention to detail, sensitivity, empathy, and resilience
• Exceptional people management, interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Cognitive flexibility to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Strong skills and experience in preparing complex briefs, reports and papers to senior leaders
• Ability to work as a strong team player, with a commitment to contributing to and maintaining a healthy and positive workplace culture
• Strong organisational skills including excellent and comprehensive record-keeping skills
• Strong problem-solving skills
• A genuine commitment to restorative engagement for current and former students who have been harmed in the care of the Victorian government school system.

Mandatory Qualifications

Qualifications in social sciences, counselling, law, or other relevant qualification is essential.

About the Division

The Restorative Engagement and School Support Branch sits within the Operational Policy, School Engagement and Compliance (OPSEC) Division – a supportive, respectful, positive, and collaborative team with a culture of high integrity, responsiveness and accountability.

OPSEC Division is responsible for a range of functions, with a collective overarching focus on supporting schools with child safety, operational policy and compliance activities, reducing administrative and compliance burden for schools, and streamlining the volume and timing of communications to schools.

How to apply

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, capabilities and experience that they would bring to this role.

Further Information

For more details regarding the role requirements and capabilities, refer to the attached Position Description.

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.

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 Tuesday 10 March 2026.