The DAV is recruiting adjudicators to help with our school debating programs in 2023.

Becoming an adjudicator is a great way to continue developing your critical thinking and public speaking skills, and provides opportunities to meet lots of new like-minded people.

Debating rounds are run on Monday-Thursday evenings from February to November, and adjudicators receive $64-85 for each round they attend.

To become an adjudicator, you need to attend a 3 hour training seminar via Zoom and then complete an online test. You will be supported throughout the process and further training opportunities are available to provide you with ongoing learning and development.

To sign up for a training session or to learn more, please visit our website complete the online form.

About the DAV

The DAV is a non-profit association which exists to promote debate by providing accessible education workshops, training programs and competitions to school students and teaching staff in Victoria.

This involves providing community access to our programs and services in remote and regional geographies, encouraging access to low SES schools through fee waivers and pro-bono coaching services, and equipping teachers with free resources and professional development to improve critical thinking in students.

We consider debating to be a unique opportunity for students that develops a range of critical thinking skills and encourages them to question the world around them. Our ultimate vision is that Victorian students are able to use debating skills as a means to effect positive social change in their communities.

We facilitate specific programs that target cohorts who are underrepresented in debating. For example, the DAV Women's Competition is a debating tournament held exclusively for women, with the aim of supporting and encouraging female-identifying students. Further, we are currently developing an English as a Second Language (ESL) debating program which will provide better access to Victoria's many ESL students.

We also run a Development Squad program which invites the top-performing students from low SES schools (with no access to debating coaching or support) the opportunity to attend regular coaching seminars at no cost, to further develop their skills.

In many places, debating is still regarded as an 'elite' private school activity with exclusive high-cost programs delivered within private school networks. Our organisation aims to break down these barriers and provide equitable access to all schools and students, so that they can benefit from the scientifically evidenced links between debating and academic attainment, critical thinking, communication skills, confidence, and cultural awareness.

The Role

Adjudicators are required to:

• Attend debating rounds either at school venues or online via video conferencing technology
• Represent the DAV in a professional manner
• Declare conflicts with any participating schools
• Watch and assess speeches, providing a reason for the result
• Foster development of debating and public speaking skills through constructive feedback
• Maintain control of the room, for example, discouraging distracting behaviour
• Act as the chairperson if no audience members are available to perform the role
• Provide results to the DAV coordinator or office immediately following debating rounds
• Assist school staff and DAV coordinators in managing any emergencies arising
• Report Child Safety concerns.

Debating rounds run primarily in the afternoon and evening on most weekdays during the school term, with some opportunities available during school hours and on weekends.

Adjudicators have the ability to attend extension training programs to become accredited to deliver other DAV programs including training workshops and public speaking competitions.

Desirable Skills and Attributes

Adjudicators should possess:

• Knowledge of the format and rules for 3-on-3 debating
  • No prior experience in debating is necessary. A 3-hour training session and an online accreditation test must be completed
  • Further training including supervision and observation opportunities are also available
• The ability to critically analyse argumentation, presentation skills, and adherence to the rules
• Strong oral communication skills: particularly, the ability to effectively communicate with DAV stakeholders, including school students, staff, and their families
• A friendly and encouraging attitude
• A commitment to inclusion and diversity
• A commitment to Child Safety
  • A Victorian Working with Children Check is required (the DAV reimburses the cost of the check after adjudicators have watched a minimum number of debates).
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required to attend rounds held at school venues.

Membership and honorarium

A monthly honorarium payment is provided in recognition of the service adjudicators provide to the DAV’s school members. Adjudicators are required to join the DAV as Members in order to adjudicate, this involves a payment of $15 and attendance at one debating round before honoraria payments commence.

Adjudicators receive $32 per debate for in-person metropolitan Melbourne competitions and higher rates for programs requiring travel to regional areas. At most rounds, adjudicators will see two consecutive debates (i.e. $64 per round).

Apply

To sign up for adjudicator training, please complete the form by clicking apply now.

If you have any questions, please contact Charisma Taylor, Executive Officer at [email protected] using the subject line: Debating Adjudicators enquiry via EthicalJobs.