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 Division

The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) Division supports high-quality educational practices to improve the learning and development outcomes for Victoria's young children in government-funded early learning programs. It ensures all children can access and engage in early learning, with a focus on inclusive kindergarten programs for those facing vulnerability and disadvantage. ELPAP leads policy and program development aligned with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF), partnering with the VCAA. The division also focuses on improving workforce retention and recognition, as well as ensuring participation and inclusion, including needs-based funding and efforts to connect children who might otherwise miss out on kindergarten.

This role is responsible for leading the Professional Practice Branch, which are 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. It contributes 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. The Branch consists of five units that work in close collaboration:

• Professional Practice Programs

The Early Learning Unit leads the implementation of professional practice supports aligned to the VEYLDF designed to improve early childhood teacher Programs and educator practice and pedagogy and delivery of high quality early learning programs.

• Assessment for Learning Unit

The Assessment for Learning Unit leads the implementation of early childhod assessment initiatives including the Early Years Assessment and Learning Tool, Transition Learning and Development Statement, EarlyABLES and second year of kindergarten assessements.

• Early Years Projects Unit

The Early Years Projects Unit leads the implementation of the Kindergarten Quality Improvement initiative, Early Childhood Languages Program, Early Years Bushfire Recovery and Resilience project and the Play Learn Grow initiative.

• Early Years Workforce Unit

The Early Years Workforce Unit leads the implementation of workforce retention and recognition initiatives focused on teachers and educators delvering kindergarten programs in Victoria.

About the Role

Under the leadership of the Executive Director, ELPAP, this role has oversight and direct operational leadership of targeted early learning practice supports for funded kindergarten and Pre-Prep professionals, that support children's learning outcomes as defined by the Victorian VEYLDF.  The role provides specialist and technical leadership of quality improvement in early childhood settings.

The role works closely with other senior leaders across the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Group and the Department to influence and increase the quality of early learning programs by delivering on contemporary early learning professional practice supports, initiatives and reforms. The role also leads the department's work on early childhood workforce retention.

The ECE Group has a strong and collaborative executive leadership team that this role will participate in and support. Demonstrated capacity to work cross-functionally and collaboratively as part of a strong and cohesive leadership team are at the core of this role, including actively managing staffing and recruitment to support an early learning quality improvement remit.

This role will be required to oversee the preparation and presentation of papers underpinned by expert advice to support decisions by Ministerial offices as well as overseeing a significant program of procurement including supplier sourcing and complex contract management

Attributes

• Decision-Making: Ensures quality outcomes, leads programs, considers long-term impact.
• Communication: Informs stakeholders, builds networks, provides expert advice.
• Expert Knowledge: Authority in the field, publishes research, demonstrates strategic management.
• Collaboration: Fosters teamwork and overcomes communication barriers.
• Adaptability: Open to new strategies, adjusts to improve outcomes.
• Strategic Planning: Guides planning processes, aligns with departmental goals.
• Innovation: Drives continuous improvement, implements new ideas.
• Critical Thinking: Develops sustainable solutions, collaborates across government.
• Project Leadership: Manages projects, balances stakeholder needs and risks.
• Influence: Develops strategies to influence stakeholders and build buy-in.
• Stakeholder Management: Resolves complex issues, builds relationships.
• People Leadership: Leads ethically, fosters high performance and engagement.
• Capability Development: Enhances staff development, delegates responsibilities.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential: Senior leadership experience in design of specialist early learning quality interventions, or relevant equivalents, across a learning system

Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in public policy, management or other qualification relevant to the role

Desirable: Postgraduate degree in relevant discipline

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying, please submit your resume along with a response to the key selection criteria.

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 Pippa Procter – Executive Director via pippa.procter@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 Wednesday 21 May, 2025.