Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $116,413 - $140,849
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Policy
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/PES/1956492
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
OPSEC division operates at the intersection of stewardship, assurance, and advisory in school child safety response and school operations:
OPSEC leads coordinated responses to institutional sexual abuse matters—both historical and current—working closely with schools and community stakeholders.
By providing oversight of compliance with minimum standards for school registration requirements and child safe standards, OPSEC ensures consistent and accountable practice across all government schools through support and assurance.
OPSEC is the primary steward of the department's Policy and Advisory Library, providing the Principal Advisory Service, and being a source of expert advice for the department on its operational policies for government schools and on the volume and timing of Department engagement with schools.
About the Role
PAU Senior Advisors make a significant contribution to school education in Victoria through supporting government schools to understand and meet their policy and regulatory obligations, helping to reduce workload and administrative burden for school leaders by providing them with the information they need to do their jobs effectively.
The role is responsible for supporting the Policy and Advisory Unit in the following areas:
In carrying out these responsibilities, the Senior Advisor will:
As a member of the Policy and Advisory Unit and the OPSEC Division more broadly, the Senior Advisor is part of a dynamic, respectful and collaborative team with a culture of high integrity, responsiveness, service delivery and accountability. The role reports to the co-managers, Policy and Advisory Unit.
Attributes
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Desirable: tertiary qualification in a relevant field
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 Isobel McLennan – Manager, Policy and Advisory via (03) 7008 8393 or [email protected].
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 20th November 2026