• Full-time, maximum-term position to December 2025
• Research initiative replicating the Early Years Education Program
• Unique opportunity supporting children living with significant adversity

Your new role

Uniting, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Education and The Parkville Institute have opened the first research replication centre for the Early Years Education Program. This service located in Richmond seeks to determine whether children, recruited with the same eligibility criteria as those in the trial project, can achieve the same remarkable learning and development outcomes. This is one of three replication sites established in Australia.

This service works with a multidisciplinary leadership team to ensure the model is implemented with fidelity. The service operates with lower child-to-staff ratios, with a maximum of 48 children attending 5 hours per day Monday to Friday, and with most educators and teachers employed full-time.

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute significantly to research that could shape the future of the early childhood sector in Australia.

“The early years program model responds to the message from respected economists and child development experts that investing early in quality, cohort focused programs save money and time on costly remediation and other interventions when children are at school. If you want to be part of this type of approach, then this is the position for you! I’m looking forward to working with you in this innovative model.”

- Dr Anne Kennedy, Parkville Institute

Benefits of working at Uniting

Our work isn’t easy, but it matters. Work with people who care as much as you.

In addition to a competitive hourly rate under the Children’s Services Award + super, you can access the following:

• Salary packaging to increase your take-home pay.
• 60% discount for eligible employees on the childcare subsidy gap fee when using a Uniting Early Learning Service.
• 25% off at Uniting Op Shops.

Your skills and experience

The Centre Director of this research replication site will have significant experience (minimum of 5 years) in early childhood service management and be a proven leader of services that provide the highest quality programs to children and their families.

Holding a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood (or a Diploma with significant experience), you will be experienced in working with families and children living with severe adversity, and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills when engaging with stakeholders.

A clear interest and / or experience in research and working with multidisciplinary teams is a must for this role.

View the position description here.

How to Apply

Click Apply Now to submit your interest.

If this role sounds like a good fit for you, please apply soon. We'll review applications as they come in and may close the ad early.

For any questions, reach out to Lindsey Desmons, Early Learning Program Manager on 0403 963 165 or via [email protected] using the subject line: Centre Director - Safe Haven enquiry via EthicalJobs for a chat.

About Uniting

At Uniting we are passionate about working together to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice. We have a 5,000 strong workforce of employees and volunteers who deliver a diverse range of services across Victoria and Tasmania.

Visit us: www.vt.uniting.org

Uniting is a child safe organisation and is committed in everyday practice to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all children, at all times. As a ‘child safe’ organisation, employment with Uniting is subject to a satisfactory national (and international where relevant) police check and relevant Working with Children Check in your State prior to commencement of any paid or unpaid work and/or participation in any service or undertaking.

Through the recruitment process, we will ask you for personal information. Disclosure is optional, however, it can help us support you better. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a diverse background or LGBTQIA+. You will be given an opportunity in the application form to request additional support. We welcome the opportunity to discuss how we can support you. 

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