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

Early Learning Practice and Participation Division

The Early Learning Practice and Participation 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 work of the Division is also underpinned by the central precondition of this, that all children are able to access, be included and engage in early learning. It leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs. The Division is responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework, development and implementation of participation and inclusion supports for all children, practice quality enablers that improve workforce retention and recognition, and the implementation of needs-based funding for kindergartens. 

The Division is comprised of two branches - Early Learning Participation Branch and Professional Practice Branch, each of which carry responsibility for policy development, program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement to support access to high quality kindergarten programs. Both Branches contribute advice and expertise to the development and implementation of major policy and funding reform projects for early learning programs, including Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Best Start, Best Life. This role sits within the Professional Practice Branch.

Professional Practice Branch

The Professional Practice Branch is responsible for policy development, program delivery, monitoring and evaluation, and stakeholder engagement to support high quality practice in government funded early learning programs, with a specific focus on kindergarten programs.

The Branch leads the implementation of the VEYLDF, in partnership with the VCAA, and supports quality improvement in early childhood settings in line with the framework. The Branch has carriage of professional practice supports and key initiatives that support children's learning in the kindergarten system, including the Kindergarten Quality Improvement Program, the Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool, and a range of workforce retention and recognition programs.   

The Branch consists of five units that work in close collaboration:

• Professional Practice Programs Unit
• Assessment for Learning Unit
• Workforce Retention and Recognition Unit
• Leadership and Professional Partnerships Unit

Professional Practice Insights and Coordination Unit.      

Note, while the Professional Practice Insights and Coordination Unit is a key part of the Professional Practice Branch, it has direct reporting line to the Executive Director of the Division.

Professional Practice Insights and Coordination Unit

This role sits within the Professional Practice Insights and Coordination (PPIC) Unit. The Unit leads the development of evidence informed approaches to drive the design and delivery of high-quality professional development supports to the early childhood education sector, with a focus on funded kindergartens. The Unit designs and procures professional practice supports, collects and coordinates research evidence and data, and supports the department to make informed decisions that strengthen the practice supports to improve early childhood quality.

About the Role

The purpose of this role is to promote best practice in early childhood education and care (ECEC) and support the implementation of early childhood reforms, in accordance with the shared practice principles and outcomes of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

Specifically, the role will be responsible for:

• providing dedicated practice expertise to support policy development and implementation planning across the Department's early childhood pedagogical and practice projects and priorities
• supporting the development and implementation of professional development programs and tools for early childhood teachers and educators
• identifying the change implications of early childhood reforms on processes, people, work practices and other governance systems
• consulting, negotiating with and influencing internal DE stakeholders to adopt changes required to effectively implement early childhood reforms
• supporting the development and execution of plans for early childhood teachers, educators and services to implement and manage change
• supporting services experiencing complex challenges in implementing the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep reforms through tailored change management and pedagogical support
• providing expert advice and leading content development to support the delivery of Early Years Learning Networks and Early Learning Leadership Forums
• being an authoritative source of expertise and guidance on high quality teaching practice in early childhood education and care
• acting as a critical friend to early childhood reform teams working on issues relating to early childhood practice quality
• supporting the development of materials for use at sector networks and forums based on high quality evidence and case studies, that facilitate the sharing of increased knowledge, skill and expertise for the early childhood education and care workforce.

This fixed term position is available till December 2025.

How to apply 

Applications should include:  

• a resume (no more than 2-pages) and  

• a cover letter that responds to each of the Key Selection Criteria (no more than three pages).  

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Essential: Bachelor's degree in early childhood education and care
• Desirable: Registration with Victorian Institute of Teaching
• Extensive early childhood pedagogical experience and knowledge of Victoria's Early Childhood system 

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 Nicole Messer via (03) 9084 8864 or nicole.messer@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 17 September 2024