Senior Communications Advisor - First Nations Engagement 

Fixed-term position for 12 months, with potential to extend.

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 Victorian School Building Authority 

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s.     

The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants.     

With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program.  

About the Division 

The Corporate Division provides corporate support to all VSBA teams and fulfills an important assurance and oversight role. They guide VSBA to achieve strategic objectives and ensure decision-making is transparent and accountable. 

The division also coordinates communication and consultation with local communities about their school building projects. They develop graphic design and video content, manage our social media channels, lead organisational customer service reform, distribute our e-newsletters and organise ministerial and other events for our projects.  The Division also leads the organisational customer service reform and uplift program. 

About the Role

This is a prioritised position for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in accordance with the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply and will be given priority consideration for this role.  It is a fixed-term position for 12 months, with potential to extend.

As a Senior Communications Advisor (First Nations Engagement), you'll support Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) project officers to deliverour commitment to First Nations engagementon school and early childhood building projects. 

The role is varied and includes facilitating First Nations design engagements for schools and kinders, developing a breadth of communications materials (including policies and strategies) and proactively supporting internal and external stakeholders through outreach and training. You'll also provide strategic advice and program reports to VSBA and Department of Education leadership to ensure First Nations engagement is consistently and successfully delivered across the organisation. 

role sits within a high-performing branch that deals with multiple projects and often works under pressure. The successful candidate will need to be resilient, flexible and adaptable to change. 

All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the service standards outlined in the VSBA'scommitment tocustomer service.  Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team. 

Attributes

The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and problem solver with an eye for detail and excellent stakeholder management skills. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will be given priority consideration f this role in accordance with the Special Measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic).  

Desirable qualifications and experience

• Desirable: Tertiary qualification relevant to communications
• Desirable: Demonstrated experience in a similar role within government 

Further information

To apply, please submit a copy of your CV and a response to the key selection criteria outlined in the attached position description.

The Department of Education values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. For more information about our work, working for the department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the department websiteand ourDiversity and Inclusion page. 

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located atwww.education.vic.gov.au.

If you have any questions, please contact Katherine O'Shea - Director or VSBA Communications via 0468 310 304 or katherine.oshea@education.vic.gov.au.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process.

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. 

Applications close at 11:59PM on Wednesday, 18th June 2025.