Project and Policy Officer Roles

**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 developmental 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.

**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 their access to the best foundation for success in school and beyond.

**Application Instructions and Information**: