Selection Criteria
- Outstanding record of achievement in leading school improvement supported by demonstrated capacity to produce and implement clear, evidence-based improvement plans.
- Demonstrated recent experience as a leader preferably in a school displaying exemplary knowledge and skills within the technical finance domain applied to a complex environment.
- Demonstrated significant contribution to wider education reform (technical finance leadership) through involvement in initiatives/programs that lead directly to improvements in student learning outcomes and school resource management.
- Highly developed leadership skills and a proven track record in supporting excellence in technical finance leadership delivery (within a school, at a regional level, or at the system level); including advising, influencing, coaching and mentoring, leading to the building of leadership capacity of others.
- Highly developed communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills, including the ability to represent the interest of government and facilitate cooperative working relationships with a range of stakeholders (in particular principals, school councils).
Role
ROLE PURPOSE
The Strategic Financial Management Adviser (SFMA) will:
- Provide high level leadership and expert advice that supports the department to deliver school financial resources aligned with FISO 2.0 and government education policy.
- Provide customised support, in the form of coaching, mentoring and training, to individual principals and school leadership teams to develop strategic financial resource plans that align with AIP/SSP and help deliver those goals.
- Develop and provide tailored professional learning to schools to ensure effective implementation of financial policy as it relates to or impacts on the Student Resource Package (SRP).
- Lead and influence schools, through the provision of expert advice, in effectively and efficiently delivering the SRP to maximise learning outcomes for students.
- Contribute high level finance related advice to central policy development.
- Develop and provide training and professional learning to networks, statewide (through VATL), and as required and in support of regions and the department centrally.
- Operate as part of a high functioning team where you will exercise a high level of autonomy and independence while reporting to and liaising with SFRB. You will also work closely with People and Workplace Relations (Schools) Division, Regions (SEILs) and the department centrally.
- Work collaboratively and be accountable, independent, aligned and supportive of department goals.
- Be required to undertake extensive travel.
The SFMA will work under the direction of the Schools Finance and Resources Branch, within the Financial Policy and Information Services Group and report to the manager of School Financial Management Support Unit.
Responsibilities
KEY ACCOUNTABLITLIES
The SFMA responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Supporting all principals (with particular emphasis on those in the early stages of their career) to develop an excellent understanding of the SRP and the necessary skills in the efficient and effective deployment of those resources to deliver FISO2.0.
- Provide coaching, mentoring and direction to support schools to develop strategic resource plans that align resourcing with AIP/SSP and help deliver the agreed student achievement goals.
- Providing coaching, mentoring and expert advice to support schools to develop strategic financial workforce budgets that enable delivery of their agreed Workforce Plan and develop the understanding of the finite and interconnected nature of these two resources.
- Developing, reviewing, delivering and refining Professional Learning through VATL and on demand in support of principal preparation, induction and ongoing growth. This will range from ad-hoc requirements to a well-established year-long program of learning aligned closely to the annual cycle of financial management in schools.
- Providing expert advice to principals, leadership teams, and school councils as required in developing exemplary financial management practices.
- Supporting department (centrally, regions, and networks) with the successful implementation of policies and programs through providing strategic financial management development and expert advice directly to stakeholders across the state.
- Supporting school leaders, identified as requiring intensive leadership coaching and mentoring, to develop the expertise to understand and maximise student outcomes within the scope of their SRP.
- Maintaining and providing timely, detailed, and accurate reports to the SFRB to assist in the provision of seamless support to schools.
Diversity and Inclusion
Applicants seeking part-time employment are encouraged to apply for any teaching service position and, if they are the successful candidate, request a reduced time fraction. Such requests will be negotiated on a case-by-case basis and will be subject to the operational requirements of the school.
The Department of Education is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, and diversity and inclusion for all. We value 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 roles within the Department. The Department recognises that the provision of family friendly, supportive, safe and harassment free workplaces is essential to high performance and promotes flexible work, diversity and safety across all schools and Department workplaces. It is our policy to provide reasonable adjustments for persons with a disability (see Workplace adjustment guidelines).
Additional support and advice on the recruitment process is available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders from the Koorie Outcomes Division (KOD) via [email protected]
Child Safe Standards
Victorian government schools are child safe environments. Our schools actively promote the safety and wellbeing of all students, and all school staff are committed to protecting students from abuse or harm in the school environment, in accordance with their legal obligations including child safe standards. All schools have a Child Safety Code of Conduct consistent with the department's exemplar available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/child-safe-standards/policy
DE Values
The department's employees commit to upholding the department's Values: Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values complement each school's own values and underpin the behaviours the community expects of Victorian public sector employees, including those who work in Victorian Government Schools. Information on the department values is available at:
https://www2.education.vic.gov.au/pal/values-department-vps-school-employees/overview
Location Profile
The Schools Finance and Resources Branch (SFRB) of the Department of Education (department) is responsible for managing the efficient and effective allocation of resources to Government and Non-Government schools, congruent with the Government¿s priorities and school education reform agenda.
SFRB leads and manages school funding allocation in Victorian Government Schools within an approved budget provision and facilitates sound financial management in schools through the design and development of support mechanisms and systems, and continuous professional development.
Experienced principals are invited to apply for an Executive Class role working across the four regions. Location of work will be determined within the context of the whole team and will require some flexibility over time.
Extensive travel is often required. Strategic Financial Management Advisors have access to the Executive Motor Vehicle Scheme.