Program Officer

**Office for Early Childhood Development**
**Job reference**: 671187
**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. 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 this role**:
As a **Program Officer**, you will:

- plan, coordinate, and monitor high-quality project support activities across the PMO.
- prepare detailed reports, project documents, and Ministerial briefings.
- support committees and stakeholder groups, including agenda preparation and minute taking.
- track project progress, identify risks, and contribute to solutions that keep delivery on schedule.
- foster strong, productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
- collaborate with teams on procurement, change readiness, and engagement planning.
- ensure compliance with safety, ethics, and public sector governance requirements.

**About you-**

Do you want to work on projects that directly support children and families across South Australia? The **Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD)** is looking for a **Program Officer** to play a central role in delivering high-impact initiatives that improve outcomes for children during their most formative years.

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

- **Project Management Skills** - ability to support multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- **Stakeholder Engagement** - ability to communicate, consult and influence across diverse audiences.
- **Written and Verbal Communication** - clear, structured communication skills.
- **Customer Service Orientation** - proactive and solution-focused approach to service delivery.
- **Task and Time Management** - able to prioritise and deliver under pressure.
- **Administrative Precision** - experienced in meeting preparation, documentation, and record-keeping.

You will collaborate with:

- The Head of PMO and Senior Program Officers
- Executive Leadership Team and policy officers across the Office
- External partners such as the Premier’s Delivery Unit, Department for Education (DfE), and Education Standards Board (ESB)

**Role benefits**:
At the Office for Early Childhood Development, you will be part of a passionate, purpose-driven team that values innovation, inclusion, and evidence-based service delivery. This is your chance to contribute to transformational programs in early childhood development, working across government to ensure better outcomes for all South Australian children. You will enjoy:

- Meaningful work with community impact
- Collaborative environment with experienced and supportive colleagues
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Flexible working conditions that promote work-life balance

**Application Instructions and Information**:
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the key selection criteria in the attached Position Description.

**Additional Note**:
This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

**Remuneration**:
ASO5-$85,790 -$95,413 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

**Enquiries**:
**Special Conditions**:
For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

**Applications close**: 01/06/2025 11:45 PM