Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 711783
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 from 23.8% to 15% over 20 years. 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.
About this role:
The 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 Project Officer is responsible for supporting reform and change across the Office for Early Childhood Development (OECD). The position plays a vital role in supporting and driving key deliverables through the provision of project support and coordination. This includes meeting coordination, preparation of high-level documents, undertaking of analysis, development, and providing advice and recommendations related to the design, implementation and evaluation of projects and programs.
The Project Officer supports senior leaders within OECD and builds strong relationships with stakeholders to ensure collaboration and a high level of service throughout the project lifecycle.
Your Key Responsibilities:
- Coordinate meetings and document minutes and actions to support the implementation of the integrated hubs.
- Plan, coordinate, and monitor a range of high-quality project support functions through contribution to project and policy documents and procurement processes.
- Maintain project schedules to support the tracking and reporting of project deliverables to meet milestones and ensure the projects remain on time and within budget.
- Undertake research and support activities to support project implementation.
- Build trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to maximise collaboration on key initiatives.
- Deliver high-quality, proactive, and dependable service to customers.
About you:
Bringing strong experience and demonstrated capability in coordinating and delivering project activities, including executive support functions such as preparing agendas, taking minutes, coordinating briefing papers, and analysing issues, evaluating information, and recommending effective solutions to support organisational objectives.
You are skilled in stakeholder engagement, excel at building collaborative relationships and your communication expertise enables you to present complex information clearly and accurately across multiple formats, including reports, presentations, and ministerial briefings.
With a commitment to high-quality customer service, you provide tailored advice and resolve complex issues for internal and external clients. Additionally, you are adept at managing tasks independently or within a team, prioritising workloads, and meeting deadlines, while maintaining accurate records.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:
- Experience or demonstrated aptitude for coordinating and delivering project activities.
- Proven ability to establish and build effective and collaborative relationships and networks across diverse stakeholders.
- Proven ability to work under limited direction, either independently or as a member of a team, determine priorities, and set and meet deadlines.
For full details please see the Position Description – attached.
Role Benefits:
- A role with real influence and impact in government policy.
- Opportunities for career development and career growth within the public sector
- Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.
- 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:
Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.
Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.
Remuneration:
ASO5 $85,790 – $95,413 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus 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: 11/12/2025 11:45 PM