About the Role

There are two fixed term full time opportunities available, one for up to 12 months and another up to 8 months. 

The Youth Participation Unit is seeking passionate and experienced professionals for up to two roles to support the delivery of key education initiatives under two streams of work: Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP) and Place-Based Partnerships (PBP). These roles present a unique opportunity to contribute to improving educational outcomes and experiences for African and Pasifika heritage students across Victoria.

We are seeking candidates with strong school-based experience. Lived experience and established community connections are highly regarded.

Victorian African Communities Action Plan (VACAP)

The Victorian African Communities Action Plan is a whole-of-government plan developed in partnership with African Victorian communities. It outlines a clear vision and coordinated actions to support social, economic and educational inclusion of African heritage communities across Victoria.

VACAP initiatives are designed to strengthen student engagement, achievement and wellbeing by investing in programs that support African heritage students and families, including:

• School Communities Liaison Officer (SCLO) Initiative – supporting Victorian schools through SCLOs to strengthen connections between families, communities and schools, and to enhance student engagement and wellbeing.
• Homework Club Grant Initiative – funding community organisations to deliver tailored academic and homework support programs for African heritage students.

Place-Based Partnerships (PBP)

The Place-Based Partnerships to Support School Engagement and Completion Initiative provides targeted support to African and Pasifika young people in Melbourne's south-west, north-west and south-east. Place-Based Partnerships initiatives are designed to increase school engagement and completion including:

• School Communities Liaison Officer (SCLO) Initiative – providing targeted supports in key schools to young people of African and Pasifika heritage to enhance student engagement and wellbeing.
• School Holiday Programs – providing programs across the term breaks for key cohorts of young people in partnership with community and sporting organisations.

Key Responsibilities

Key responsibilities across both roles will include program administration and oversight, stakeholder engagement and collaboration with schools, community organisations and service providers, and capability building and support. Please refer to the attached position description for the capabilities and requirements of the roles.

About You

You will bring:

• Demonstrated experience working in or alongside schools, particularly in student engagement, wellbeing or inclusion initiatives
• Strong understanding of culturally responsive practice
• Experience working with African and/or Pasifika communities, or multicultural communities
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills
• Strong program management and organisational capability
• Ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic and community focused environment.
• Developed written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing government briefings and budget reporting.

How to Apply

Applicants must include responses addressing each key selection criteria in their application.  

About the Division

Operations and Governance Division

The Operations and Governance Division (OGD) provides day-to-day support for schools and regions, encompassing school governance and operational issues, client enquiries and contact centre technologies, complaint management and improvement processes, support for principals in the management of complex matters that involve frequent communication with parents or advocates and advice about school operational policy and school council operations and governance. The division leads and coordinates a range of SRS group functions, including workforce planning and staff recruitment, support for the SRS governance framework, implementation of actions arising from audits, business planning and quality assurance of correspondence and briefings for portfolio ministers and senior executives.

Youth Participation Unit

The Youth Participation Unit manages a portfolio of work related to providing education to young people at-risk of or engaged with the justice system. Through early intervention, school engagement programs and targeted place-based partnerships, the Unit works to reengage students in learning, strengthen wellbeing, and improve long term educational outcomes.

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. The department supports a culture of leadership, learning and renewal in all workplaces with opportunities for career development and advancement.

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 Shobha Srinivasan on 0475 107 156 /
shobha.srinivasan@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 Thursday 16th April 2026.