Hands on Learning School Support Manager

Lead the quality assurance, development and growth of the Hands on Learning (HoL) program in partner schools in the southeast of Melbourne. For 25 years, this innovative education program has been proven to significantly increase engagement, attendance, foster social and emotional learning, and improve academic and vocational pathways. In this exciting role, your passion for improving outcomes for young people will drive the support and growth of partner schools across southeast Melbourne. You’ll play a key role in ensuring that the young people who could benefit most have the opportunity to access a quality HoL program at their school.

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.    

A place where your purpose matters. Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity. 

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are connected, safe and confident. Our people are proudly local, reflective of the communities we serve - in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities. 

It takes all types of personalities and talents to drive our organisation– yours included. We value a healthy work-life balance and ensure our people feel connected to each other and our impact. Learn from inspiring people and grow from a connection to our strong local and global networks. From our programs to our support services - this is the place to realise your purpose.  

 A place to make a difference:  

Here you’re empowered to make a difference in children’s lives by learning, sharing and collaborating to find new ways to solve problems.   

In this 12-month part-time role (0 .8) with flexibility in days through to end June 2025, you’ll drive the implementation support and growth of the HoL program in southeast Melbourne. The in-school engagement program uses a variety of practical projects to engage and connect students to their education and with their school and community. You’ll liaise directly with school leaders, and you’ll act as mentor to the HoL artisan-teaching staff who work with a small group of students to complete significant projects, such as (but not limited to) construction, landscaping, and hospitality. As part of our HoL School Support team, you’ll report to our HoL Network Development Manager.

The main focus of your work will be visiting current and prospective partner schools. Location for the position has some flexibility, though our preference is for a home office base to allow for accessibility to partner schools located in southeast Melbourne (see this map for a list of our current partner schools). Option to work from the Save the Children office in Melbourne if desired.

You will make a difference by:

• Delivering support and professional development to HoL artisan-teachers and teams
• Supporting the quality assurance of HoL implementations
• Offering value add ‘hands-on skills’ aligned with the practical expectations of the program
• Building and maintaining relationships with school leadership and a wide range of stakeholders, including community and other organisations
• Overseeing the growth of HoL into partner schools within this area

A place to feel valued:

You’re a self-starter, with a ‘can do’ attitude and have a passion for making a difference in the education experience of young people. Your dynamic and engaging personality will see you easily connect and build relationships with a range of stakeholders including students, teaching staff and school leadership teams. This diverse role is ideal for people with practical talents to share and add value, motivate and inspire HoL artisan-teachers to achieve ambitious outcomes for the young people they support.

We recognise your contribution and provide you the support to ensure you can bring your best, knowing here you have the space and opportunity to grow.  

Bringing your best every day, means:

• An understanding of the engagement, wellbeing and education sector, with preferably first-hand experience of schools and the way they operate, including wellbeing practices and practical programs within schools.
• Ability to offer a range of practical and creative skills to assist and inspire team projects.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present in front of groups and communicate confidently with HoL artisan-teachers, school leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, effectively and collaboratively.
• Organisational skills to manage the administrative and recording keeping components of the role, which requires computer literacy in the Microsoft Office Suite.

A place to belong:  

54 Reasons is proudly part of Save the Children Australia. We are a learning organisation that invests in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is approximately 1100 people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs. 

It takes all types of people to do the challenging work we do. We are diverse personalities, backgrounds and talents, embracing our differences as one strong and united team. We see and celebrate the unique value you bring to our organisation, and offer a range of rewards for your effort, including:  

• Generous salary plus full salary packaging benefits
• 6 weeks annual leave
• Provision of lease vehicle
• Agile work environment including working from home 

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and CV, addressing the key selection criteria above and describing your suitability for the role (the cover letter should be no more than 2 pages in length), by clicking on one of the buttons in the ‘Apply’ section.

Applications close:  4pm AEST, 17th June 2024. Please note we will commence interviewing as applications arrive, so don’t hesitate to submit your application.

 Position description: – Hands on Learning School Support Manager

For more information about this position, please contact lisa.vagg@54reasons.org.au

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure its straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment - so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know at people.culture@savethechildren.org.au. We’re dedicated to ensuring Save the Children Australia is a place where everyone can feel supported – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.  

Save the Children Australia is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.  

Save the Children is committed to providing and maintaining a safe working environment for its employees and client groups, consistent with our obligations under OH&S legislation