Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 703460
Location: ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone
Why work with us:
The Office for Early Childhood Development has been formed with a clear mandate: to create a fairer and better future for all children in South Australia by implementing the accepted recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care.
As the steward of the early childhood development system, the Office will act on government's behalf, and work in collaboration with the sector, to organise and connect the system to reduce developmental vulnerability.
This includes providing universal access to quality, teacher-led preschool from the age of 3, growing and sustaining a quality early childhood workforce, and greater supports and connected services for families in the 1000 days of a child's life.
About this role:
The Senior Stakeholder Engagement Officer supports an office-wide approach to stakeholder engagement, coordinating meaningful, two-way consultation and engagement across early childhood reform initiatives.
The role provides expertise and guidance across multiple workstreams to ensure reform projects are informed by purposeful consultation, while identifying opportunities, risks, and solutions to inform decision-making.
This exciting and challenging position:
* Develops and maintains effective relationships and fosters partnerships with a range of stakeholders.
* Delivers timely, high-quality advice and briefings to the Minister, Executive Leadership Team and Chief Executive.
Undertakes research and provide best practice engagement advice, while managing effective and efficient processes.
Your Key Responsibilities:
* Design, implement and evaluate OECD stakeholder engagement strategies that support strategic partnerships.
* Coordinate key advisory forums, consultations and engagement events and activations that inform and support the delivery of OECD strategic objectives (including all collateral).
* Provide timely and quality advice on stakeholder engagement to the Minister, Chief Executive, Executive Leadership Team and other senior officials in relation to OECD workstreams.
* Undertake complex research, analysis and consultation to ensure OECD policy, program and reform initiatives are informed by evidence, stakeholder perspectives and sector insights.
* Establish, maintain and leverage internal and external strategic networks, and proactively identify engagement opportunities, risks and mitigations.
* Support and build engagement capability across the Office.
For full details of the role, please read the linked Position Description.
About you:
Are you passionate about strategic engagement and stakeholder management? Do you possess high-level communication skills, have policy knowledge and research expertise? Can you prioritise to support complex government initiatives and deliver effective outcomes under pressure?
To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings
* Experience in developing strategic engagement plans and delivering best practice engagement processes
* Experience developing and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders to reach strategic goals
* High level written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills including successful experience in developing and maintaining networks with internal and external stakeholders, working with political astuteness, diplomacy and discretion in a sensitive/political environment
* Demonstrated ability to work proactively and effectively, under broad direction, analyse and resolve complex problems, whilst managing high volumes of work, changing priorities and meeting critical deadlines.
* Knowledge of relevant government policy, extensive knowledge of contemporary communication, program management and engagement strategies within a government context.
Demonstrated ability to apply conceptual and analytical thinking including experience in researching, analysing and recommending practical solutions
Role Benefits:
* Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the SA 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:
ASO7 - $108,109 - $116, FTE) per annum, plus superannuation of 12%.
Additional Note:
This is a 2-year term contract role (1.0 FTE) with potential to be made ongoing.
Enquiries:
Enquiries can be directed to
Special Conditions:
For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached position description.
Applications close: 12/10/2025 11:45 PM