Reference: VG/DE/ECE/20002060A
Occupation: Policy
Salary Range: $109,730 - $132,764
Senior Policy OfficerAbout 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. The department supports a culture of leadership, learning and renewal in all workplaces with opportunities for career development and advancement.
The Department of Education is the Victorian Regulatory Authority for early childhood education and care (ECEC) services under delegation from the Secretary. The Quality Assessment and Regulation Division (QARD) in the department regulates and quality assesses Victorian ECEC services. It drives the delivery of high-quality services and ensures the safety, health and wellbeing of Victorian children attending those services.
QARD regulates approximately 4,900 services including family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten services, as required by the Education and Care Services National Law (National Law). QARD also regulates around 180 services operating under the Victorian Children's Services Act 1996 (Children's Services Act); these include occasional care and limited hours services.
QARD is responsible for:
approving providers and services as required by the National Law and Children's Services Actmonitoring service compliance and conducting investigations in response to notifications and complaintsassessment and rating of family day care, outside school hours care, long day care and kindergarten services against the National Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and CareQARD is also the integrated sector regulator of the Child Safe Standards for all early childhood services in Victoria.
The Early Childhood Legislative Reform Unitin QARD undertakes the following functions:
Policy development and coordinationprovides legislative policy advice on the Education and Care Services National Law (where Victoria is the host jurisdiction) and National Regulations, the Children's Services Act 1996 and Children's Services Regulations 2020, and the interface with other lawssupports Victoria's participation in the national early childhood policy forumleads the national Legislation Working Group which develops legislative amendments to the National Law and Regulations.External communications and strategic stakeholder engagementleads QARD's overall stakeholder engagement and communication strategy and coordinates engagement activitiesoversees QARD's web presence and general communicationsleads production of QARD's regular external communications activities.About the RoleWorking as part of a small, dynamic team the Senior Policy Officer will be developing policy and informing projects, including:
Providing well informed, reasoned and concise advice, recommendations and innovative policy options to address emerging regulatory practice and policy issues, including work to support Victoria's strategic interests in the national early childhood policy forum. Includes working closely with the DE Intergovernmental Relations Branch.Supporting the early childhood legislative reform agenda through sound policy advice, analysis, planning, project management and stakeholder management. Includes working closely with the DE Legal Division on legislative projects.Preparing a range of materials for internal and external audiences, such as Cabinet submissions, reports, briefs, presentations, agendas and minutes, regulatory guidance, web content and publications.We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed team player with the following skills:
Policy development and analysisExcellent written and verbal communication, the ability to simplify and organise complex informationPractical problem-solving abilityPlanning and organising, especially for legislative projectsStakeholder management and the ability to build and maintain effective working relationships at all levelsA legal qualification or experience with legislative processes would be an advantage.Desirable Qualifications and ExperienceTertiary qualification in Law orExperience in legislative policy developmentFurther InformationFor more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. Please note this role is not required to manage people.
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.
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 28/11/2024.
To apply for this role, you will be redirected to the Department of Education job application system.
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