Project Officer– REEaCh

Role type: Fixed term until Dec 2026, 0.6 FTE

Faculty: Faculty of Education

Department/School: REEaCh

Salary: Level A, $85,555 to $116,094 p.a. (pro rata) plus 17% super

• Contribute to landmark education study and impact early childhood policy.

• Apply now to join a pioneering team evaluating Victoria's Pre-Prep programme and shaping the future of early childhood education.

• Investing in you - benefits package including salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, discounted services, and professional development opportunities.

The University of Melbourne

We take pride in our people, who all contribute to our mission to benefit society through the transformative impact of education and research. Discover more via our website.

Your next career opportunity

As a Project Officer for the Pre-Prep Longitudinal Study, you'll play a crucial role in evaluating Victoria's groundbreaking universal Pre-Prep programme. You'll have the opportunity to conduct field research, engage with diverse stakeholders, and contribute to a study that will inform early childhood education policy. This role offers you the chance to develop your research skills whilst making a tangible impact on children's educational outcomes.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conduct Field Research: Collect quantitative data in early childhood services, including classroom observations and direct assessment of children's development.
• Build Stakeholder Relationships: Foster professional relationships with kindergarten staff, families, and children, acting as a liaison between participants and the study team.
• Manage Data: Conduct scoring, interpretation, and entry of collected data, ensuring accuracy and confidentiality.
• Support Project Operations: Assist with recruitment, retention, and other research activities, contributing to the overall success of the study.

You may be a great fit if:

You are an enthusiastic professional with experience in early childhood settings, possessing excellent communication skills and the ability to build rapport with diverse stakeholders, including young children and their families.

You may also:

• Have experience working in early childhood settings or similar environments.
• Possess strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Demonstrate excellent time management and organisational skills, with a keen attention to detail.
• Be flexible and adaptable, capable of problem-solving in dynamic environments.
• Have the ability to conduct standardised assessments professionally and ethically.
• Be willing to travel regularly to services across metropolitan Melbourne and/or regional Victoria.

For further information please refer to the attached PD.

What we offer you

We offer the opportunity to be part of a vibrant community and enjoy a comprehensive range of benefits to support your success and sense of fulfillment, including:

• Supportive flexible work arrangements underpinned by our commitment to inclusion and well-being

• Progressive, considerate leave provisions to empower your work-life balance

• Salary packaging and access to a range of discounted services including Bupa health insurance

• Health and well-being services including a leading Employee Assistance Program

Your new team – REEaCh

The purpose of the REEaCh Centre is to make a sustained impact upon the lives of young Australians through advancing the quality of early learning experiences for all children.

The REEaCh Centre has three priorities of research and engagement in early childhood education and care: the quality of early childhood education programs, the equitable participation of all children in high-quality programs, and the importance of educational leadership to sustained quality improvement in early childhood education programs.

The Faculty of Education (FoE) fosters staff productivity, growth and engagement in a collective effort to enrich the contribution that education makes to society. We conduct research and teaching that leads to the transformation of education practice both within and beyond the profession. We provide research leadership, setting the direction for high-impact, innovative and responsive research that addresses the pressing issues of our time.

Be Yourself

The University of Melbourne is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a child-safe organization. We are committed to creating an inclusive and equitable workplace where all individuals feel valued, respected, and have the opportunity to thrive regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age, being a parent or having caring responsibilities.

The University of Melbourne is committed to fostering a barrier-free and inclusive recruitment process. We are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates throughout the application and interview stages, including accessible document formats and alternative application methods. To discuss your specific requirements, please feel free to contact Bec Tucker – or send an email titled 'Reasonable Adjustments' to hr- . You can find more information for applicants requiring reasonable adjustments on our Careers website:

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Applicants

We aspire to be the University of choice for Indigenous Australians, with unprecedented investment to attract, nurture and retain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff. Tangible support through a range of programs and initiatives will ensure that you personally succeed and flourish while at the University of Melbourne.

For further information, including our Indigenous strategy please visit -

If you are a member of an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community and would like any support, please feel free to contact our Indigenous Employment & Development team via email at oied- .

Working at the University – what you need to know

This role requires the successful candidate to maintain a Working with Children Check The successful candidate can apply for the WWCC as part of the onboarding process. In the case the selected candidate doesn't have a valid Working with Children Check, they will be able to apply for the WWCC as part of the initial onboarding procedures.

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. This role requires current valid work rights for Australia.

Join Us and unlock your career potential

Is this the perfect opportunity for you? Apply today Including the following documents:

• Resume

• Cover Letter outlining your interest and experience

• The responses against the Selection Criteria^ (found in the )

^For information to help you with compiling short statements to answer the selection criteria and competencies, please go to

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process, please feel free to contact Petra Newton via email at hr- , ensuring that you include the Position Number and the Job Title as the subject. Please do not share your application to this email address.

If you have any particular questions regarding the job please follow the details listed on the .

Applications close: 23 September :55 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) / Melbourne time zone.

: JR Project Officer REEACH