About the Department The role of the Department of Education is to support Victorians to build prosperous, socially engaged, happy and healthy lives. It does this by supporting lifelong learning and healthy development, strengthening families and helping to equip people with the skills and knowledge for a 21st century economy and society. About the Victorian School Building Authority The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) is part of the Department of Education. Established in 2016, it oversees Victoria's largest school building program since the state introduced free public education in the 1870s. The VSBA upgrades and expands existing schools and plans, designs and builds new schools to meet enrolment demand. We also support schools to maintain their buildings and grounds by offering expert advice and coordinating maintenance programs and grants. With Victoria recently introducing two years of funded kindergarten, the VSBA is also working with the early childhood sector on a massive kindergarten construction program. About the Division Strategy and Planning Division The Strategy and Planning Division is responsible for the VSBA's operating framework, investment strategy, policy setting, asset information management, budget strategy and coordination, along with the delivery of specific school strategies, costings, allocate resources for growth, maintenance, and projects through school application-based programs. The Division also plans and co-ordinates delivery of new early childhood facilities and support for the wider early childhood sector to build, improve and upgrade infrastructure through a number of grants programs, including programs which provide funding to make kindergartens for inclusive for children of all abilities. Early Childhood Infrastructure Planning – Sector Partnerships and Grants and State Projects Branches Both these branches support the planning and coordination for the delivery of infrastructure needed for the successful implementation of the Three-Year Old and Best Start Best Life Reforms. About the Role As Manager Early Childhood Grants (Improvement & Inclusion) Team, the Manager is responsible for the implementation of two streams of our Early Childhood Grant programs – The Building Blocks Improvement and Inclusion Stream. Key accountabilities of the Manager include: Leading the delivery of 2 of the four streams of the Building Blocks Grants program in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Collaborating across teams and parts of the department to lead resolution of local grants issues. Taking a leadership role in coaching and mentoring junior staff in the team. Work collaboratively across the Branches to incorporate all key data and information into reports, briefs, correspondence and other critical reporting and governance Manage effective relationships and communications with key stakeholders internally and externally on the development and delivery of grants. Supplying expert advisory and support services to internal/external stakeholders on matters relating to the operation of the grants program and fund allocation process. Liaise, advise, and negotiate effectively with senior officers of central agencies, other government departments, LGAs and other parties regarding the identification, implementation, and delivery of the grant program. Utilise project management skills and experience aligned to the key objectives of the program. Work with management to implement a culture of continuous improvement The Manger Early Childhood Grants (Improvement and Inclusion), is a leadership role within the organisation, and will be part of the leadership team of the Branch. The Manager will have a high degree of autonomy, and will be self motivated and driven to produce results through collaboration. Key components of this role include stakeholder engagement and relationship management, program and project planning, policy development and implementation and reporting. An ability to develop and deliver key systems and process will be key. In addition, the candidate will have excellent stakeholder engagement skills which will be required to build and maintain strong relationships both within the Department and with external stakeholders (council and not-for-profit kindergarten providers) and partners. Candidates will have proven policy development and implementation experience, preferably relating to supporting delivery of complex projects and programs. Candidates will also be able to demonstrate their ability to lead teams, and work confidently and constructively with key internal/external stakeholders to ensure the successfully delivery of the government's Kindergarten Reform agenda. All VSBA staff have a shared responsibility to meet the same service standards outlined in the VSBA Customer Service Charter. Our goal is to make every interaction with the VSBA a positive one for our customers, colleagues and key partners regardless of our individual role or team. Attributes The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of grant management and the life cycle of grant programs (i.e., from inception, launch, and assessment through to making recommendations on grant approvals, making payments, and monitoring the delivery of those projects which have been awarded grants, along with strong communication skills and management practices. Desirable Qualifications and Experience Desirable : Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline Desirable : considerable/demonstrated experience similar role within government Further Information For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application. The department 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 the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au. For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Director Sector Partnership & Grants Branch Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education 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.
