Project and Policy Officer roles

Project and Policy Officer roles (multiple classifications)

Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 640990
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

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 developmentally vulnerable from 23.8% to 15% over 20 years. 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 roles:

To support our continued growth, we are looking for up to 12 policy and project roles to work across the organisation at the AS05, AS06, and AS07 classification levels, with a fit based on areas of specialisation and expertise.

These roles involve providing expert advice, conducting research and analysis, developing, and implementing policies, managing complex programs and projects, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders. Their responsibilities span from policy analysis and development to managing projects that directly impact early childhood education and care. We value analytical expertise, innovative thinking, effective communication, and the ability to deliver impactful outcomes, all while fostering a safe and inclusive work environment at every level.

Please review the role descriptions and apply for the role that best fits your skill set, experience, and expertise.

Roles Available

- ASO7 Senior Policy and Project Officer
- ASO6 Policy and Project Officer
- ASO5 Policy and Project Officer

Role Summary-

ASO7 (Senior Policy and Project Officer)

Key Responsibilities:

- Provide expert advice to inform and influence early childhood development research and policy.
- Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of state-wide policies and research proposals and/or projects.
- Build trusted relationships with stakeholders and research partners to enhance policy outcomes.
- Support initiation, development, and delivery of complex and/or strategic policy outcomes and strategic research activity, offering leadership and coordination.
- Lead and oversee high-impact projects to ensure successful delivery, risk management, and alignment with organisational priorities.

Key Skills:

- Proven research and analytical skills.
- Strategic thinking and the ability to evaluate complex data.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement expertise.
- Leadership in delivering outcomes within tight deadlines.
- Proven expertise in end-to-end strategic project management and policy development.

ASO6 (Policy and Project Officer)

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan, coordinate, and deliver complex projects and change management functions.
- Coordinate detailed analysis and reporting to inform senior management.
- Prepare high-quality documentation, including policies, briefings, and reports.
- Build collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- Oversee procurement processes, including contracts and deliverables.

Key Skills:

- Proven initiative and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
- Proven interpersonal and negotiation skills for stakeholder engagement.
- Expertise in project management methodologies and policy evaluation.
- Advanced written and verbal communication skills.

ASO5 (Policy and Project Officer)

Key Responsibilities:

- Plan, coordinate and monitor high-quality support for policy and project support functions.
- Prepare project documents, briefings, and recommendations for informed decision-making.
- Provide research and administrative support to committees and working groups.
- Foster collaboration with stakeholders and ensure excellent customer service.
- Manage feedback processes and coordinate procurement for project deliverables.

Key Skills:

- Excellent task and time management with a customer-focused approach.
- Proficiency in preparing clear and impactful communication materials.
- Strong research and analytical abilities to support decision-making.
- Experience in managing executive and operational support tasks.

Benefits:

- Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and career advancement opportunities.
- Work-Life Balance: Enjoy flexible working arrangements, including hybrid/work from home, and part-time or compressed options.
- Community Impact: Opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the development of young children and their access to the best foundation for success in school and beyond.

Application Instructions and Information:

- Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA.
- Applicants must submit a CV, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the key selection criteria in the attached position description.
- As this is a pool recruitment, shortlisting will occur throughout the period based on applications received at the point of shortlisting. Anticipated application cut-off dates for shortlisting rounds are:

- 11:30pm Sunday 12 January 2025
- 11:30pm Sunday 9 February 2025
- 11:30pm Sunday 2 March 2025

Additional Note:

- Multiple positions.
- Full-time, up to 2 year long-term contract.
- Flexible working arrangements available. We encourage applicants seeking part-time roles to apply.

Remuneration:

- ASO5 $85,790 - $95,413 (1.0 FTE) per annum plus superannuation.
- ASO6 $98,478 - $104,165 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.
- ASO7 $108,109 - $116,864 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

Enquiries:

- Enquiries can be directed to OECD.HR@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 five 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.

Applications close: 02/03/2025 11:30 PM

Attachments:
- ASO5 Policy and Project Officer.pdf
- ASO6 Senior Policy and Project Officer.pdf
- ASO7 Senior Policy and Project Officer.pdf

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.

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