About the Role

The Program Adviser contributes towards the delivery of departmental programs and initiatives by providing guidance and strategic support throughout the program lifecycle. The role will work across a range of strategic initiatives and program delivery functions, with a focus on project coordination, stakeholder engagement and supporting corporate functions. 

We are looking to fill Two Positions for this role:

1. 1 x Ongoing full-time
2. 1 x Fixed term full-time until 30 June 2027

The role requires high level organisation skills and flexibility to respond to priorities for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector. This currently includes leading delivery of community grants and supporting professional learning initiatives for the ECEC workforce and leadership.

Key duties include:  

• project management and program coordination 

• stakeholder engagement with a wide network of external stakeholders, and cross-departmental and government colleagues  

• Procurement, grants management and contract management of external experts  

• support corporate functions and processes, including reporting, briefings and correspondence, budget management and organisational development.  

Attributes

• We are seeking a motivated team player who is responsive, a clear communicator, good at building relationships and who can tackle problems with systems thinking and innovation.

Qualifications and Experience

• Desirable: Relevant TAFE or tertiary qualification in a related field such as project management, public policy, education, business, law or community development.

The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working With Children Check.

How to Apply

Please apply through Careers Victoria with your current CV and a letter addressing the key selection criteria (up to two pages).

About the Division

The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) Division guides, supports, and inspires high quality educational practice that improves the learning and development outcomes of Victoria's young children in government funded early learning programs. The Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.

The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF). 

To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch. Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:

• Delivering practice quality enablers that improve workforce retention and recognition
• Developing and implementing participation and inclusion supports for all children
• Implementing needs-based funding for kindergartens
• Working with system partners to proactively identify and connect children who might otherwise miss out on kindergarten, ensuring their enrolment and attendance

This role sits within the Professional Practice Branch.

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.

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 Pui San Whittaker, Manager Leadership and Professional Partnerships via phone on (03) 7022 2308 or email: puisan.whittaker@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 18 May 2026.