Job title: Senior Policy Advisor
Company: State Government of Victoria
Job description: About the DepartmentThe 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.About the DivisionThe Early Learning Operations and Monitoring (ELOM) Division leads core funding, policy, operational and monitoring functions for funded three and four-year-old kindergarten in Victoria.The Division consists of two branches:
- Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch
- Sector Monitoring and Support Branch
Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch include:
- Kindergarten organisational and program requirements as set out in the Kindergarten Funding Guide
- Setting funding rates and eligibility for all kindergarten setting types and subsidies
- Free Kinder
- Kindergarten data collection, monitoring and reporting.
Key responsibilities of the Early Learning Sector Monitoring and Support Branch include:
- Kindergarten contract management policy and oversight
- Leading financial assessment and monitoring of funded kindergarten providers
- Data insights and analytics
- Centrally managed and procured kindergarten supports, including payroll and IT
- Early Years Management
- Central Enrolment and Registration
- Coordination of ECE’s contribution to key departmental processes including business planning, the annual report, budget submissions and parliamentary committees.
ELOM Division works closely with other divisions across ECE, other central divisions including Performance and Evaluation Division, and early childhood staff in Regions and Areas. ELOM Division plays a key role in providing input and expertise into the planning and implementation of Best Start, Best Life reform activities as well as providing advice and support to Early Childhood Implementation Branches.ELOM Division also works in consultation with key sector peak bodies and stakeholders.About the RoleThe Free Kinder Unit is a part of the Early Learning Funding and Operations Branch. It is responsible for the implementation of the Government’s Free Kinder commitment for three- and four year-olds and ongoing policy work to ensure the effective implementation of this funding and the broader Best Start Best Life Reform.Key responsibilities of the Unit include:
- providing policy advice and oversight of the development and delivery of Free Kinder funding
- resolving kindergarten funding queries relating to Free Kinder
- monitoring kindergarten services participating in Free Kinder to assess compliance
- review and alignment of kindergarten funding policy to facilitate and support the introduction of Prep-Prep and the new Arrivals system.
This Unit also works across the Early Learning Operations and Monitoring Division to identify and implement strategic opportunities that build on and improve current practices and ensures funding can be used as effectively as possible to drive positive outcomes for children.This role will be part of a team that supports a range of work relating to the implementation of Free Kinder which requires strategic and operational policy development and implementation.Key responsibilities will include:
- Develop, implement and monitor policy for Government’s ongoing commitment to implement Free Kinder, including eligibility requirements and funding conditions, appropriate monitoring and compliance arrangements, and interactions with Commonwealth funding policies, particularly for long day care services to ensure policy intent is met.
- Provide Free Kinder policy advice and respond to funding queries. This includes the management of broader kindergarten policy areas and contributing to priority projects that relate closely to the Free Kinder initiative, including the Best Start Best Life Reforms and introduction of Pre-Prep, participation and attendance data collection, analysis and reporting, communications and provider accountability.
- Prepare and source information to support the engagement of senior leaders with peak bodies, local government and the broader sector to successfully implement the Free Kinder initiative.
- Review and develop kindergarten funding policy to align the policy intent of and support the roll-out of Pre-Prep.
- Monitor the capacity and functionality of relevant systems such as the Kindergarten Information Management System (KIMS) and Arrivals to collect, quality assure, analyse and report internal and external data relating to funding for and participation in the Free Kinder program. Also provide advice and recommendations on requirements to adjust and improve these systems.
- Contribute to the culture of a high performing team.
AttributesThe successful candidate will need to apply a problem solving mindset to policy and project challenges that arise. The succesful candidate will also require strong project management skills and is comfortable in taking initiative when undertaking work.This role will be required to work collaboratively with internal, and as appropriate external, stakeholders. This includes DE Central office and Regional teams, Commonwealth Government agencies, Victorian Government Departments, local government representatives and other key community service organisations. They will be expected to develop strong connections and networks in this diverse stakeholder environment.Desirable Qualifications and ExperienceA suitable tertiary qualification in a related field is desired.Further InformationFor 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 and ourApplicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.Information about the Department of Education’s operations and employment conditions can be located at .For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Amabel Lim – Manager, Free Kinder via (03) 9084 8524 or .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 Monday 3 February 2025.Job detailsJob Reference: VG/1840735
Location: Melbourne – CBD
Work Type: Fixed term – full time
Job Function: Policy
Classification: VPSG5
Salary Range: $109,730 – $132,764
Job Duration: N/A
Date posted: 20-Jan-2025
Application Close Date: 03-Feb-2025
Attachments: (PDF, 166KB)
Position DescriptionContact:Amabel Lim(03) 9084 85 or amabel.lim@education.vic.gov.au
Expected salary: $109730 – 132764 per year
Location: Melbourne, VIC
Job date: Tue, 21 Jan 2025 08:13:57 GMT
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