Implementation Partner

Description:

Why work with us:

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmental vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school.

About the role:

As an Implementation Partner, you will work within the Change and Local Partnerships Directorate , collaborating with local teams to guide early childhood reforms across the state. Your role will directly support early childhood services, empowering them to improve enrolment, attendance, and learning outcomes for children, while addressing barriers to engagement and participation for families.

About the Role:

As an Implementation Partner , you will:

• Lead and support early childhood services in developing and implementing evidence-based plans to improve child outcomes.
• Collaborate with local communities, stakeholders, and services to remove barriers and foster inclusive, strength-based approaches.
• Use data (including AEDC) to guide local planning and ensure services meet developmental needs.
• Support the delivery of universal 3-year-old preschool across the state and other early childhood system reforms.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues and stakeholders, ensuring policy development translates into effective local solutions.

What’s in it for You?

• Make a Real Difference: Be part of a pivotal transformation in South Australia’s early childhood education system.
• Work Across the State: Opportunities in metropolitan and regional areas, including Adelaide CBD, Fleurieu Peninsula, and more.
• Collaboration & Impact: Engage with a wide range of stakeholders, including early childhood services, community groups, and government agencies.
• Development Opportunities: Develop your skills in project management, planning, and data-driven decision making while working with experienced professionals.

About you:

We seek candidates with:

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills , able to engage effectively with diverse audiences on complex and sensitive issues.
• Proven project management expertise, with the ability to coordinate and implement complex plans. A project management qualification would be desirable.
• Analytical thinking skills, using data and intelligence to inform decisions and identify local challenges and opportunities.
• Stakeholder engagement experience , building collaborative partnerships and deploying effective engagement strategies to enhance sector ability, knowledge and resources.
• Ability to work autonomously, using your judgement and creativity to solve problems and manage competing priorities.
• Agility: to proactively address complex issues in an environment of change, provide practical and timely solutions and negotiate outcomes effectively.
• Knowledge: understanding of the early childhood education sector and early years pedagogy and data sources.

Qualifications :

• A Bachelor or diploma in childhood education, community development, social work, or allied health would be desirable.

Special Conditions:

• Current driver’s license and willingness to travel within and outside South Australia.
• Current Working with Children Check and completion of required training.
• Flexibility to work outside of normal hours if needed.

Number of Roles- 10

Regions Available:

• Region 1: Adelaide CBD & Eastern Suburbs
• Region 2: Western Suburbs
• Region 3: Inner Southern Suburbs
• Region 4: Inner-Northern Suburbs & Adelaide Hills
• Region 5: Outer Northern Suburbs & Barossa Valley
• Region 6: Outer Southern Suburbs & Fleurieu Peninsula
• Region 7: Yorke Peninsula, Eyre Peninsula, & Outback
• Region 8: Murraylands, Riverland & Limestone Coast

Apply Now to become part of a dynamic team that’s shaping the future of early childhood education in South Australia!

Application instructions and information:

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the key selection criteria in the attached position description.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

Remuneration:

ASO6 $98,478 -$104,165 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to OECD.PandC@sa.gov.au

Special Conditions:

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every 5 years before expiry. The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years.

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.