Senior Kindergarten Improvement Advisor

Description:

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 Group
Schools and Regional Services (SRS) offers central, regional, and local expertise to enhance learning and development outcomes, supported by a diverse and geographically dispersed workforce. It comprises 17 areas within 4 regions, backed by 5 central office divisions, all collaborating to deliver improved outcomes for early childhood services, schools, communities, and learners, in line with Education State commitments. SRS regions serve as a bridge between the central office, schools, and service providers, ensuring smooth transitions for learners and achieving the department's ambitious targets. Each region includes divisions specialising in school performance, student wellbeing and early childhood support, working with area-based teams to tailor local interventions and practices. The 17 areas provide crucial insights into local trends and issues, facilitating effective policy and program development and driving child and learner outcomes across all services and programs.
About the Branch
The Early Childhood Improvement Branch implements key government Early Childhood policy, initiatives, reforms, and strategies at a local level. The Early Childhood Improvement Branch ensures a dedicated team supports Early Childhood providers and services in Areas. The Branch has multiple responsibilities, including supporting services with kindergarten programs and the implementation of the suite of Early Childhood reforms including, Pre-Prep, three-year-old kindergarten and the Best Start, Best Life reforms, as well as driving improvement in service delivery and outcomes for children across the Early Childhood sector.
About the Role
The Senior Kindergarten Improvement Advisor will lead and provide high level advice to the Early Childhood Improvement Branch team on complex matters within the Early Childhood sector. This role will maintain a portfolio of Early Childhood service providers with which they will lead improvement work and reform implementation. They will work to build the capacity of funded kindergarten services to continuously improve service quality, particularly through the implementation of the Early Childhood reforms.
The Senior Kindergarten Improvement Advisor will need to draw on experience and knowledge in an early learning context, administration of Early Childhood services and current pedagogical practices
This role will have some line management responsibilities within the team and be responsible for leading key improvement strategies across the Area.
To be successful in this role you should have excellent leadership, management and interpersonal skills, negotiation and change management skills, analytical skills, and possess a strong understanding of the Early Childhood system in Victoria.
Key responsibilities of the role include:
* Working as part of a team that includes the Early Childhood Improvement Manager, Area teams, regional Early Childhood Implementation Division and other key internal stakeholders, such as the Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) and the Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD)
* Providing advice to the Early Childhood Improvement Branch Manager on complex delivery issues, operational matters and perspectives on policy implications
* Managing staff and/or projects as required within the Early Childhood Improvement Branch
* Understanding current research and developments in the Early Childhood sector, identifying implications and opportunities
* Applying advanced problem-solving skills to manage and resolve complex problems
* Identifying risks and leading change management and stakeholder engagement matters
* Establishing and maintaining strong working relationships with Early Childhood services and providers, fostering the development of collaborative relationships to deliver on the Early Childhood reforms
* Engaging in meaningful conversations with Local Government Areas and Early Childhood services and providers, using data and evidence to identify and address the needs of the services as it relates to educationally disadvantaged children and reform implementation
* Providing support, tools and advice to Early Childhood service providers to assist them to develop plans in response to their identified challenges
Attributes
To be successful in this role the ideal candidate will have the following attributes and capabilities:
* Possess a strong understanding of the Early Childhood system
* Effective leadership and strategic planning skills with the ability to adapt to changing work priorities
* Strong analytical skills and ability to identify solutions to complex problems and continuously improve processes
* Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, including the ability to build and develop strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
* Strong project management skills
* Ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
Desirable: Early Childhood or other relevant tertiary qualification
Desirable: Recent relevant experience in a leadership role within an Early Childhood setting or other clearly relevant transferable experience, knowledge and skills.
The successful applicant will be required to provide a current Working with Children Check (WWCC).
How to Apply
Applications should include:
* a resume (no more than 2-pages) and
* a cover letter that outlines why you are suitable for the role with reference to the requirements of the role attributes and Key Selection Criteria (no more than three pages).
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, please contact Kirsty Bretel, Inner East Early Childhood Improvement Branch Manager, NEVR on 7022 1848 or kirsty.bretel@education.vic.gov.au.
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 7 May 2025.