Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Education and training
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/ECE/1914669
An exciting opportunity exists for a passionate and driven Senior Policy Advisor to join the Participation, Partnerships and Insights Unit on fixed term basis.
About the Role
The role leads policy analysis and development that seeks to support participation for children experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability in kindergarten. This includes the Early Years Agreement for Children in Out-of-Home Care, LOOKOUT and embedding the Kindergarten Participation Strategy with an increased focus on attendance.
A key part of the role is working closely in partnership with stakeholders across the Department, the early learning sector and all levels of government to develop an awareness of the wider context and ensure contextual issues impacting on participation and outcomes are informing policy and program development.
To this end the Unit is also responsible for managing data sets critical to monitoring delivery and outcomes to support participation of children in kindergarten. The role requires an understanding of data to identify system issues, diagnose trends, obstacles and opportunities and conceptualise options. Data insights need to be communicated clearly to inform decision making regarding policy and program settings.
Attributes
The successful candidate will demonstrate proficient skills in conceptual and analytical thinking, policy development and design, project management, problem-solving, and teamwork. You will need to be confident in interpreting data to develop insights, to understand system issues and conceptualise options, and be able to articulate these options for decision-makers in impactful ways.
With a significant policy agenda on the horizon, strong planning skills will be needed to effectively manage the multiple workstreams and policy priorities that need to be delivered. Your capacity for collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating genuine relationships will also be pivotal for your success.
Qualifications and Experience
How to Apply
To apply, please submit a CV and a cover letter (up to 2 pages) that addresses the key selection criteria.
About the Division
The Early Learning Practice and Participation (ELPAP) 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 Division's work is underpinned by a commitment to ensuring that all children are able to access, be included in, and engage with early learning. ELPAP leads operational policy and program development to deliver high quality, inclusive kindergarten programs and to support participation for children experiencing vulnerability and disadvantage, those who stand to benefit most from early learning.
The Division is also responsible for the delivery of professional practice supports and quality initiatives for kindergarten and Pre-Prep aligned to the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF) and National Quality Framework (NQF).
To carry out this work, the Division is organised into two branches: the Early Learning Participation Branch and the Professional Practice Branch. Together, these branches lead work across several key focus areas:
This role sits within the Participation Branch.
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.
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 Jeanne Allegro – Manager, Participation, Partnerships and Insights via [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 09 April 2026