Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 842942
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmental vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school by 2032.

About this role: 

The Principal Policy Officer and Senior Policy and Project Officer will contribute to a range of project and policy functions to deliver range of initiatives to support the rollout of 3-year-old preschool.  

The Principal Policy Officer and Senior Policy and Project Officer are responsible for supporting reform and change across the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD). These positions play a vital role in researching, analysing and interpreting policy reform initiatives by monitoring progress against deliverables through the provision of policy support and project coordination.

Undertaking preparation of high-level documents and providing strategic advice and recommendations related to the design, implementation and evaluation of projects and programs. 

Roles Available

• ASO8 Principal Policy Officer
• ASO7 Senior Policy and Project Officer

Role Summary

ASO8 Principal Policy Officer

The Principal Policy Officer is responsible for providing policy leadership, project management and expertise to support the coordination and delivery of strategic policy priorities and associated strategic initiatives, in alignment with existing and emerging agency objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design of policy and research proposals and/or projects, including strategic initiatives on a state-wide level, to support the advancement of the early childhood development agenda, particularly in the areas of preschool participation, inclusion, and outreach to families.
• Support the initiation, development, and delivery of complex and/or strategic policy outcomes, and related projects or initiatives including delivering coordination and leadership support.
• Lead critical strategic initiatives and priority projects that influence and guide the achievement of South Australia’s early childhood development priorities and targets including those that contribute to Closing the Gap commitments.
• Lead the design of policy and research proposals and/or projects, including strategic initiatives on a state-wide level, to support the advancement of the early childhood development agenda, particularly in the areas of preschool participation, inclusion, and outreach to families.
• Deliver high level liaison, consultation and services to internal and external stakeholders.

 

Key Skills

• Significant experience in delivering high‐level end to end strategic projects and policy development, using contemporary project management approaches, including determining requirements, initiating, planning and conducting high level research, undertaking analysis of complex issues and providing expert advice to executives.
• Proven analytical and research skills and an ability to undertake objective analysis and evaluate complex information, from a range of trusted sources to draw accurate conclusions that recognise and manage contextual issues.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse, evaluate, and present complex information, including statistical data, to support policy development.
• Proven experience in planning, developing, implementing and coordinating a range of programs, projects, and services to support government policy strategic directions.
• Demonstrated high level communication skills with ability to prepare reports and briefings and present concepts, recommendations and complex documents clearly.
  
  

Role Summary

ASO7 Senior Policy and Project Officer

The Senior Policy and Project Officer will provide specialist policy, project expertise to support management and implementation of strategic policy and project priorities, in alignment with existing and emerging Office for Early Childhood Development strategic objectives and directions.

 

Key Responsibilities

• Identification and analysis of complex issues and providing recommendations and preparation of reports to influence future policy and project priorities and initiatives.
• Initiate, plan, coordinate, and manage policy / project initiatives to support the achievement of key organisational reform objectives and strategic priorities.
• Initiate, development, and delivery of complex and/or strategic policy outcomes and strategic research activity, including providing coordination and leadership support.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of systems and frameworks to effectively manage priority initiatives, including mechanisms to monitor progress, outcomes, and compliance with timelines.
• Proactively identify risks and challenges associated with initiatives, including policy, legal, and operational implications, to inform decision-making and ensure alignment with organisational goals.
• Participate in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy and research proposals and/or projects, on a state-wide level, to support the advancement of the early childhood development agenda.

  

About you:

Your analysis and evaluation skills will be critical to implementing policy and processes that achieve outcomes in a complex and changing environment.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Capability in policy and project coordination, including analysing complex policy in strategic outcomes focus environment, evaluating information, and developing practical recommendations and solutions to support organisational priorities.
• Analytical and research skills and an ability to undertake objective analysis and evaluate complex information, from a range of trusted sources to draw accurate conclusions that recognise and manage contextual issues.
• Demonstrated high level communication skills with ability to prepare reports and briefings and present concepts, recommendations and complex documents clearly. Demonstrated ability to develop successful relationships and networks and achieve shared objectives.
• Ability to analyse, evaluate, and present complex information, including statistical data, to support policy development.
• Ability to work independently, under broad direction, to achieve high level performance outcomes within timeframes, often in a context of competing priorities and expectations.

 

Role Benefits: 

• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector.
• Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
• Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.

 

Application Instructions and Information:

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description. 

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA by clicking on Apply.

Closing date: Sunday 14 June 2026 at 11:45pm

 

Remuneration:

ASO8 - $125,649 - $130,392 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus 12% superannuation.

ASO7 - $112,163 – $121,246 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus 12% superannuation.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time 2-year long term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to OECD.PandC@sa.gov.au

Special Conditions:

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 14/06/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- AO8 Principal Policy Officer, PII.pdf
- ASO7 Senior Policy and Project Officer - PII.docx
- Pre-employment Declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.