Ongoing - Part Time (0.5 FTE)

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 Early Childhood Education Group

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) group plays a key role in policy development, service program design and commissioning to ensure a child and family centred, outcomes focused, integrated system. Together with the other groups in the Department of Education, ECE group works to ensure that every child has the best start in life.

In ECE group we provide oversight of the early childhood education system, regulate early childhood education services and implement relevant legislative reforms. We deliver on the Victorian Government's key social and economic policy reforms to strengthen early childhood education.

About the Division

The Early Childhood Strategy Division (ECSD) is a small and influential strategic policy unit within ECE Group that leads a wide range of complex and high profile strategic early childhood policy and reform projects. We work on connecting government systems across the Children's Portfolio, analysing Victorian kindergarten funding settings and the impact of national funding arrangements, and undertake strategic projects related to early childhood systems, markets and cohorts. In addition to building policy capability across ECE group and the department, ECSD is responsible for delivering high quality analysis and advice to a range of key stakeholders and Ministers.

Our work has a strong focus on increasing equity and quality across the education system to improve outcomes for children experiencing disadvantage. We play a critical role in ensuring the ECEC system is working well to deliver high-quality early childhood education and care for all children in Victoria.

About the Role

An exciting part-time opportunity exists for a high-performing and motivated individual with excellent policy analysis skills to join the Early Childhood Strategy Division. 

As a Senior Policy Officer, you will contribute to strategic projects, solve complex policy issues and provide impactful advice, within a fast-paced and dynamic environment. You will connect with peers across the Department, gather and understand evidence and conduct effective analysis in formulating your advice, which you will communicate clearly and effectively. You will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of stakeholders, extend and refine your policy expertise and skills, and importantly, you will make a meaningful and positive difference to the early childhood education sector in Victoria.

The role involves strong collaboration within a high-performing team that is supportive, friendly and passionate about improving children and families' outcomes. We are an inclusive workplace and welcome individuals from the diverse backgrounds which reflect the early childhood education sector.

The role is available at 0.5FTE (approximately 19 hours per week) and offers a high degree of flexibility in terms of both working hours and days.  

Attributes

 The successful candidate will:

• Be an integral part of a high-performing team working in a dynamic and at times ambiguous environment
• Undertake high-quality research and analysis of complex policy issues
• Initiate, develop, test and argue for ideas to implement the policy agenda
• Demonstrate an ability to use systems thinking and policy frameworks, including the ability to work with quantitative and operational detail while being aware of the larger picture or system. 
• Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders to drive the reform, supported by a solid understanding of government systems and processes
• Produce high-quality written work, including presentations, reports, submissions and briefings.
• Contribute to a collaborative and productive team culture.

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 Justine Watson - Manager via (03) 9084 8894 or Justine.Watson@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 24-APR-2025.