Program Advisor

**About the Department**

The 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 Division**

Regulatory Strategy, Services and Compliance (RSSC) Branch. The Joint Monitoring and Compliance Program (JCMP) operates within the RSSC Branch.
The RSSC Branch is responsible for providing expert regulatory advice, strategic direction, and leadership on a broad range of regulatory issues and complex compliance matters. The RSSC Branch also licenses and administers provider and service approvals, assesses fitness and propriety of individuals, manages the Division's information management systems and technologies, undertakes data analysis and reporting and maintains corporate governance processes.

In addition to the JCMP, the RSSC Branch comprises three business units:

- ; Monitoring and Compliance Unit - leads and provides advice on strategic compliance, supports the development operational policy, promotes implementation of best regulatory practice. The unit also manages and provides advice on serious non-compliance and enforcement matters.
- ; Service Administration and Support Unit - licenses and approves early childhood education and care service providers and services including assessments of fitness and priority and administers existing service licences. Also provides a first point of contact for regulatory enquiries.
- ; Business Systems and Review Unit - develops and maintains QARD's information management systems and technologies, user support, undertakes systems improvements, reporting, data analytics, business planning, budget planning, enterprise risk management and governance and assurance oversight.

**About the Role**

This is a fixed-term full time position for 12 months, based in East Melbourne. The core purpose of this role is to provide program and regulatory support within a small program team to embed regulatory practices following the implementation of the Joint Monitoring and Data Sharing Program with the Commonwealth Department of Education.

The Joint Monitoring Compliance Monitoring Program is a collaborative approach between QARD and the Commonwealth to combine and step-up compliance efforts, to maintain focus on early childhood education and care providers identified as being at risk of serious non-compliance and fraud; with a view to enhance the regulation of early childhood services across Victoria and contribute to improving the quality of the education and care sector.

The program team collaborates with a broad range of internal stakeholders, including staff within QARD, legal and finance divisions and teams across the department; as well as co-regulators and other government and enforcement bodies.

The Program Officer will be a member of a program team responsible for:

- ; developing and implementing guidelines, frameworks, policies and procedures to ensure effectiveness of regulatory processes
- ; leading risk-based compliance strategies and undertaking compliance monitoring projects;
- ; data analysis to identify emerging regulatory risks and issues to inform QARD's risk-based regulatory activities
- ; collaborating with regional QARD area teams and other key internal stakeholders across the Department to lead strategic investigative planning, provide expert advice, enable knowledge sharing and explore opportunities for continuous improvement, arising from the program
- ; providing authoritative and expert advice, information and recommendations to senior management in relation to the development and implementation of the program.

The position requires an ability to assess risk and grasp and utilise regulatory concepts and practices, collaboration with staff within QARD, in other divisions and groups across the department, and with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. It requires knowledge of regulatory compliance, investigative and analytical processes and very good written and verbal communication skills.

**Attributes**
- ; Demonstrated compliance experience and strong regulatory skills to provide policy and practice advice
- ; Knowledge of the broader regulatory environment as well as high level written and verbal communication skills.

**Desirable Qualifications and Experience**

Desirable: Relevant experience in regulatory investigations or compliance related disciplines.

**Further Information**

Applicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

**Applica