aso7 - principal policy and program officer, aboriginal early years

Department for Education

Job reference: 702340

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child's potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role

The Preschools and Early Childhood Services Division provides exceptional support and advocacy for high-quality SA Government early childhood education and care services that respond to the changing needs of children, families and communities in South Australia.

We work collaboratively with leaders and educators; with our colleagues across the department and across agencies, to provide high-quality and nurturing early learning and care programs, services and environments where each child can learn and thrive and are enabled to reach their full potential.

The Principal Policy and Program, Officer, Aboriginal Early Years is responsible for contributing towards the departments' strategies and objectives including the Preschool Reform Agreement, Aboriginal Education Strategy, Closing the Gap commitments and Our Strategy for Public Education through high quality stakeholder engagement and project management on behalf of the Quality Preschools directorate.

The incumbent will be responsible for leading innovative programs aimed at achieving preschool reform priorities, including managing the Preschool Plus initiative on delivering 30 hours of preschool to South Australia's most developmentally vulnerable children.

The role will engage widely with Aboriginal people and communities, families with children in care, government agencies and critical stakeholders to identify emerging issues impacting on Aboriginal children, and children in priority cohorts. The role demands expertise in researching, planning, implementation and change management to support new and improved strategies and objectives that will have a positive impact on educational and care experiences for Aboriginal early childhood education and care, as well as for children in priority cohorts.

Qualifications

Essential: Nil

Desirable: Relevant qualification in early childhood education and care

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.

Remuneration

ASO7 $108, ,864 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%) and leave loading

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Lawrina Osbourne, Acting Director, via tel: or email:

Application instructions

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional note

This is a full-time project role (1.0 FTE), initial 3-year term contract.

Applications close: 19/10/2025 11:30 PM