Connected Beginnings Program Manager

**Playgroup NSW is seeking a passionate and innovative Project Manager for the newly funded Connected Beginnings initiative in Wagga Wagga**:

- **Temporary Full Time - 3-year contract**

**About Connected Beginnings - Wagga Wagga**

The vision of the Connected Beginnings Program is to provide all children with a great start by improving their wellbeing prior to school, with a specific focus across education, health, and family services. The initiative will particularly address the needs specific to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families living in Wagga Wagga using a collective impact approach to determine unique and community-owned goals and strategies to connect families to support services and improve the ability of children to achieve a positive transition to school.

**About the position**

The Connected Beginnings Project Manager will be a dynamic leader who can work in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders towards community-led systems change for the integration and access to early childhood services for children at risk of developmental vulnerability. The Program manager will be responsible for the overall management and delivery of the community action group which drives the delivery and outcomes of the program. They will work closely with the SNAICC team and the Department of Education Skill and Employment to ensure the desired outcomes are met and delivered as set out in the contract. The Project manager will have a sound understanding of the early childhood sector, funding and current service gaps in the Wagga Wagga area. The Project Manager will promote local involvement in the project by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and community members to ensure decisions and planning for the integration and access to early childhood services for children at risk of developmental vulnerability are consultative and effective.

**Knowledge, Skills and Experience**

**Essential**
- Applicants for this position must be of Aboriginal descent through parentage, identify as being Aboriginal and be accepted in the community as such. Exemption is claimed under Section 14D of the Anti-discrimination Act 1977 (NSW).
- Tertiary qualifications and/or significant experience in education, community development, communications, change management, social services, health, business, or related area, and demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Demonstrated experience in project management and team leadership; to design, implement, manage and monitor using a data driven approach.
- Proven ability to build capacity and think strategically at an organisational and systemic level over multi-year horizons.
- A demonstrated capacity to lead and work in a highly functional team environment.
- High level interpersonal, communication and negotiation skills and the ability to resolve conflict.
- Proven experience in community led change, working across difference, and building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders.
- An understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in a way that fosters mutual respect.
- Ability to generate concise and accurate reports, briefing papers, and other documentation.
- Proficiency in managing budgets.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Office 365 programs - particularly Excel, Outlook and Word.

**Desirable**
- Understanding of children's services, funding and gaps in current service delivery environment.
- Existing relationships with a range of stakeholders in the local and regional area.
- Knowledge and experience in Collective Impact.

**Other Essential Requirements**
- Class C Driver's License.
- Working with Children's Check