Are you passionate about creating positive education and career pathways for care-experienced young people? Join us as a Senior Project Officer and help grow the impact and reach of the Raising Expectations Program.
In this role, you’ll support the strategic growth of the program by building strong stakeholder networks and contributing to the delivery of engaging training, events, tailored resources, and the Game Changers Peer Mentoring Program. You’ll bring a strengths‑based, empathetic approach and a genuine respect for lived experience to everything you do.
About you:
Experience in education (compulsory or post‑secondary), community services and/or Out‑of‑Home Care programs
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong strategic thinking
A collaborative, respectful team approach
A commitment to meaningful, strengths‑based change
If you’re motivated to make a difference and thrive in a purpose‑driven environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Portfolio: Raising Expectations Program/Social Policy & Research
Time Fraction: Full Time (1.0FTE)
Term: to 31 Dec 2028 (continuation pending funding)
Location: Hybrid work plan – home & Melbourne CBD office
Salary package: $95,000-$105,000 range p.a. (salary commensurate with experience) + regulated superannuation (12%) + tax reducing salary packaging
About the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare
The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (the Centre) is the peak body for child and family services in Victoria and Tasmania, representing more than 150 community service organisations, students and individuals across the two states. Our members work across a wide continuum of services from prevention and early intervention to clients immersed in statutory systems.
The Centre advocates for the rights of children, young people, families, and carers to be heard, to be safe, to access education and to remain connected to family, community and culture. Our vision is to see a community that is fair, equitable and creates opportunities for children and their families to live happy and healthy lives.
We encourage applicants of any background, culture, gender identity, and experience to join us.
Benefits of working at The Centre
- Up to three days additional leave (pro rata) over Christmas/New Year period
- Family friendly flexible working arrangements
- A flexible hybrid work-from-home arrangement
- Paid parental/carer/study leave
- Individual annual budget for training and professional development
- A supportive and positive work environment
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Leave loading of 17.5%
- Attractive not-for-profit salary packaging (this boosts your income by reducing the amount of tax you pay), with additional Meal/Holiday accommodation benefit
About the role
Senior Project Officer plays a key role in expanding the reach and impact of the Raising Expectations program. A key focus of the role is strategic stakeholder engagement, network facilitation, training delivery, resource development, and supporting young people to connect to the Game Changers Peer Mentoring Program. We are seeking a skilled professional with experience in education, community services and/or Out-of-Home Care, who brings strong communication skills, a thoughtful and empathetic approach, and a commitment to equity in education.
Background – Raising Expectations
The Raising Expectations program supports young people in care and care leavers to access, participate in and succeed at TAFE and university. Historically, few care-experienced people have gone onto study at TAFE and university compared with their peers who have not been in care but Raising Expectations is changing this. The program is a collaboration with TAFE and university partners. Established in 2015, this nation-leading program has contributed to a significant increase in care-experienced students entering and succeeding at TAFE and university.
The Centre collaborates with multiple sectors and services which work with young care-experienced people to increase the knowledge and skills of professionals and carers about the support and opportunities available to care leavers. The aim is to keep children and young people who are in care connected to learning and to be able to make informed choices about post-secondary educational and employment pathways.
A key feature of Raising Expectations is the Peer Mentoring programs, which connects care experienced young people with mentors who have also experienced care. Currently, we have two peer mentoring programs: Game Changers supports care experienced TAFE and university students and Level Up supports young people aged 15-18 with a care experience navigate the transition into TAFE and university.
To learn more about Raising Expectations, see the Raising Expectations website here: https://www.raisingexpectations.com.au/
Key selection criteria
The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate their ability to meet the following criteria:
- Contribute to and lead the development of strategies that support the growth and sustainability of strong partnerships across sectors and the meaningful incorporation of lived experience.
- Engage and build effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including TAFE and university staff, government representatives, community service organisations, senior leaders, young people with lived experience, and school staff.
- Have sound knowledge of post-secondary education pathways, including TAFE and university processes, or the demonstrated capacity to acquire this knowledge rapidly.
- Have a sound understanding of the Victorian care system, including the common educational experiences of people who have spent time in care
- Have well-developed written and verbal communication skills, with experience in preparing project plans, program strategies, progress reports, developing professional development resources, and delivering presentations tailored to varied audiences.
- Able to manage competing priorities effectively with excellent time management and organisational skills
- Can use a range of digital tools and software applications, including Microsoft Office, with confidence and proficiency.
- Qualifications and requirements
- • Relevant qualifications (e.g. social work, youth work, education, social policy) and/or lived experience of the care and/or community services system.
- • At minimum 5 years experience working with government, community services, education or child and family services sectors.
As part of The Centre’s commitment to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children employees are required to adhere to our Child Safe practices and policies. The successful applicant will require a current Working with Children Check and will be required to complete a national police check
To Apply:
If you feel this role is right for you, we welcome your application. Please provide the following:
- Your resume/CV
- A brief cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) outlining your interest in the role, relevant experience, and how you meet the Key Selection Criteria (including short examples where appropriate)
If you would like to learn more about the role, please reach out to Pearl Goodwin-Burns – Senior Manager, Education at pearl.goodwinburns@cfecfw.org.au
This position is being recruited through an expedited process. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the role may be filled before the closing date. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. Applications will close once a suitable candidate is appointed.
Please review the full position description that is attached.
