About the Role As a Program Officer (VPS3) within the RSSC Branch, you will play a key role in supporting VECRA's licensing, compliance, governance and regulatory operations. This role contributes to the effective administration of Victoria's ECEC regulatory framework and supports the delivery of high-quality regulatory services that protect the safety, health and wellbeing of children. Working as part of a collaborative and highly engaged branch, you will provide administrative, coordination, analytical and regulatory support across a broad range of activities. These include responding to enquiries, processing applications and notifications, maintaining accurate regulatory records, supporting projects and governance activities, and assisting with branch-wide initiatives. This role suits an organised, adaptable and service-focused individual who enjoys working across multiple areas, supporting others to achieve outcomes, and contributing to a responsive and high-performing regulatory environment. The Program Officer may: Provide administrative, coordination and operational support across regulatory projects, programs and governance activities within the branch. Assist developing and maintaining project tools, templates, registers and systems to support continuous improvement and effective program delivery. Undertake activities as required to assist the branch to deliver regulatory priorities including licensing, risk intelligence and enforcement. Collect, analyse, update and maintain regulatory, project and program data to ensure accurate records, effective reporting and strong data integrity. Assist with the preparation of correspondence, briefs, reports and meeting materials to support regulatory decision-making and oversight. Coordinate meetings, workshops and small to medium in-house events, including scheduling, logistics, documentation and follow-up actions. Engage with internal stakeholders to gather information, track actions, and support collaboration across business units. Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives, business process enhancements, and branch activities including recruitment, training and people and culture initiatives. Exercise sound judgement when applying established procedures, guidelines and legislative requirements to deliver accurate, timely and high-quality outcomes. Attributes The successful candidate will be proactive, detail-oriented and highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a dynamic regulatory environment. You will demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, enabling you to work collaboratively with colleagues across the Branch and provide responsive, professional support to a range of stakeholders. You will be comfortable working across diverse activities—ranging from regulatory administration and customer enquiries to project support and governance tasks—and will take pride in maintaining accurate records and delivering quality outcomes. Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as the role requires responding to changing priorities and supporting different teams as needs arise. You will uphold the Victorian Public Sector Values and model professionalism, accountability and respect in all interactions. About the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) The Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) is the statutory authority responsible for regulating early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in Victoria. VECRA works to ensure the safety, wellbeing and development of children through effective regulation, compliance, quality assessment and continuous improvement across the early childhood sector. VECRA plays a critical system management role, providing guidance, oversight and assurance to the sector while supporting high-quality early childhood education outcomes for Victorian children and families. About the Branch The Regulatory Strategy, Services and Compliance Branch (RSSC) comprise several specialist regulatory teams with responsibility for VECRA's licensing, compliance and enforcement functions. The branch also facilitates risk-based regulation through the analysis of risk intelligence and provides expert regulatory advice, strategic direction, and leadership on a broad range of regulatory issues and complex compliance and enforcement matters. The RSSC Branch business units are responsible for the following VECRA regulatory functions: Licensing and Permissions - licensing teams are responsible for controlling entry to the early childhood education and care services market and maintaining ongoing administration of licensing processes. Licensing teams assess and approve licence applications for new early childhood education and care service providers and new service premises. They undertake probity assessments to ensure individuals are fit and proper persons to be involved in the provision of an education and care service. They also administer ongoing licensing processes including applications for service transfer and waivers, and notifications of change of details. Compliance and Enforcement - Compliance and enforcement teams are responsible for leading, investigating and providing advice on complex and serious non-compliance and statutory enforcement matters. They conduct strategic and risk-based compliance activities undertaking collaborative joint compliance operations with regional teams, other state and territory regulatory authorities and the Commonwealth Government targeting serious non-compliance and joint risks. They engage and share information with co-regulators and support the development of operational policy and promote the implementation of best regulatory practice. They also analyse risk intelligence to facilitate risk-based regulation across VECRA. Desirable Qualifications and Experience Experience working in a regulatory or public-sector environment would be highly regarded. Experience supporting administrative, project or program activities, including data management and stakeholder engagement, is desirable. A valid Working with Children Check is required. To apply, please include a resume and responses to key selection criteria. Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. VECRA values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for VECRA, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the VECRA website and our Diversity and Inclusion page. Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about VECRA's operations and employment conditions can be located on the VECRA website. For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Leah Tsomos - Senior Advisor, Regulatory Strategy, Services and Compliance by phone on 03 5858 8965 Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to VECRA will be treated in the strictest confidence. Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements. Applications close 11:59pm on Sunday, 01 March 2026
