Director – Early Years Initiative

Summary about this job

Detail information about job Director – Early Years Initiative. Terms and conditions vacancy

The Early Years Initiative (EYI) is a landmark program to empower communities to achieve better learning and development outcomes for vulnerable children. It will do this by implementing and evaluating new evidence-based approaches in four priority communities, in a way that provides insight into how similar outcomes can be achieved in other Western Australian communities. It will see community leaders, all levels of government, researchers, business and philanthropic organisations come together achieve a shared goal - every child getting the best start in life.  

CoLab, a partnership of the Telethon Kids Institute and Minderoo Foundation, is joining the Western Australian Government to improve these development outcomes for children from conception to age four. The $50 million program will span 10 years, four pilot communities, and impact thousands of children.

Minderoo and the Telethon Kids Institute recognise early childhood as a time of great opportunity and significant risk. Minderoo and the Institute formed a partnership in 2016 to deliver the CoLab initiative to achieve a shared goal - every child in Australia gets the best start in life. CoLab is driving a number of flagship projects focused on increasing the translation of evidence into the hands of parents, practitioners and policy makers so that better outcomes can be achieved for children.  More information can be found here.

The partners are seeking a Director to lead the EYI.

The Role:

• leads, participates in and contributes to the Initiative’s strategic and operational processes
• takes a lead role in the enhancement of the Initiative by contributing knowledge and experience to sector forums, seminars and professional development activities
• communicates the Initiative’s vision and directions to key internal and external stakeholders and undertakes a change management role in building the understanding of all stakeholders
• manages the development and coordination of support and advice to the Initiative Board that is accurate, reflects best practice and is evidenced based
• develops, facilitates and maintains strategic partnerships across public, private and research sectors to ensure their perspectives are considered and project outcomes are achieved
• participates in community and sector engagement
• manages the governance, monitoring and reporting responsibilities of the initiative
• coordinates activities and resources to ensure timely, in scope and on budget project delivery

The Person

• you are passionate about making long-term change, understand that what is right is not always easy, and persevere when faced with obstacles
• you make good decisions under pressure and in uncertain circumstances
• you are clear, concise and accurate when writing and speaking
• you can nurture relationships with diverse groups and juggle different interests and points of view with aplomb
• you apply curiosity and creativity to navigating challenges
• you are an effective leader, maintain strong relationships, and can help your colleagues, individuals and the community to thrive

How to Apply

A Job Description including selection criteria can be found at the end of this document. To apply, please submit your application to [email protected]. Your application must include:

• A current resume including two (2) professional referees; and
• A two-three page statement outlining the relevant skills, knowledge and experience that you can bring to the role and addressing the selection criteria within the Job Description.

Applications close 3 August. For further information please call Hannah Thompson on M: 0437253010

More information on the project and partner entities:

Early Years Initiative – https://www.communities.wa.gov.au/about/projects-and-programs/early-years-initiative/

Minderoo Foundation - https://www.minderoo.com.au/  

Telethon Kids Institute - https://www.telethonkids.org.au

CoLab - https://colab.telethonkids.org.au/