Work Type: Fixed-term - Full-time
Salary: $113,022 - $136,747
Grade: VPS 5
Occupation: Projects
Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs
Reference: VG/DE/VSBA/1916277
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 Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application- based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities.
The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch supports the planning and coordination for the delivery of infrastructure needed for the successful implementation of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten and Pre-Prep reforms. To support this work, the branch delivers a number of grant programs to the early childhood and non-government schools sectors. Grants available to the sector plan and build new kindergartens, as well as maintain, improve and upgrade existing infrastructure. This work is also undertaken in partnership with the sector to develop pipelines of kindergarten capacity-building projects through Building Blocks Partnerships. The Sector Partnerships & Grants branch also supports the non-government school sector to deliver the 21st century learning facilities that every student deserves. The branch delivers grants to low-fee Catholic and independent schools to expand and upgrade existing schools, as well as to plan and build new non-government schools across the state.
The Grants Unit sits within the Sector Partnerships Branch. This team administers the Building Blocks grants program and supports the Building Blocks Partnerships and Modular teams to help plan to deliver grants which support the sector to build new kindergartens or expand and improve existing kindergartens.
About the Role
This is a Fixed Term role until 30 June 2029.
Reporting to the Manager of Early Childhood Grants, the position will work closely and collaboratively as part of a team responsible for the implementation of the infrastructure component of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten implementation reform and the Best Start, Best Life reform program.
As a member of the Early Childhood Grants (Improvement & Inclusion) Team, the Senior Strategy Advisor is responsible for continuous improvement initiatives, strategy and policy initiatives, and high-level data management across the Sector Partnerships and Grants branch.
The work involves critical analysis and evaluation of existing programs, consultation on improvement initiatives with internal stakeholders, briefing up on proposed recommendations and implementing new approaches across the branch. It also includes high-level coordination of data sets, analysis and reporting (including financial information), as well as responding to data enquiries on the Building Blocks Grants and Partnerships programs.
All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. 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
Key components of this role includes:
In addition, the candidate will have excellent stakeholder engagement skills which will be required to build and maintain strong relationships both within the Department and with external stakeholders (council and not-for-profit kindergarten providers) and partners. Candidates will have proven policy development and implementation experience, preferably relating to supporting delivery of complex projects and programs. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their strong data management and analysis skills including experience reporting and presenting data.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description.
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 Cath Riches via email at [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 Monday, 13 April 2026.