Job Title

/ PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGER

Position Type

/ Full-time

Organisation

/ Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation

Reports to

/ Chief Executive Officer

Date

/ September 2010

Salary Range

/ $70,000 to $80,000 plus SGC (attractive salary packaging available)

Organisation Chart

Manager’s Manager

SAKGF Board

Manager

Chief Executive Officer

Position

Program Operations Manager

SAKGF Vision and Mission

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© 2008 Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation

Vision
Pleasurable food education is accessible to every Australian primary school via an experience-based kitchen garden program.
Mission
To work with Government and Partners to provide the inspiration, information, training and support that ensures the provision of effective experience-based kitchen garden programs in primary schools across Australia.
Current Focus
The currentfocus of the SAKGF is to support existing Kitchen Garden Program schools and tocontinue to implement up to 190 new Kitchen Garden projects in primary schools across Australia with the support of the Federal Department of Health and Ageing. In addition, we have a subscription program for all interested schools and organisations to access our information and training programs.
The long term goal is to see the Kitchen Garden model and approach to learning integrated into the primary school curriculum across Australia.
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© 2008 Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation

Job Purpose

This exciting role will be responsible for driving our growth and excellence in the provision of training, support and resources to Kitchen Garden Schools, subscribers and other interested groups. Reporting directly to our CEO, the Program Operations Manager will oversee an expansion of our curriculum, teaching and learning resources, the creation and launch of the SAKGF Learning Centre, and the development of a centralised telephone and electronic school support system.
The Program Operations Managerwill be responsible for Managing the SAKGF Program Team and growing the reach of our training and support beyond participating Kitchen Garden Schools. Key activities of the team include providing support (including training, and learning materials)to the Kitchen Garden Program Schools across Australia, gathering the learnings of the Schools to ensure the ongoing development of the Program and the skills of the School staff, reporting to key funding providers and participating in program evaluation activities.
The successful applicant will play a vital role in the SAKGF team, in the development and positioning of this growing organisation and in the building and sharing of skills and resources to support the program in our school communities.

Key Result Areas, Accountabilities and Key Performance Indicators

KRA / Accountabilities
1.0 Manage SAKGF Program Stream /
  • Line management of Program Team members including development of staff and day to day coaching and support
  • Manage the delivery of the Curriculum and Training project known as The Knowledge Project
  • Financial accountability of Program Stream budget
  • Establish operational and internal relationships to realise required activities
  • Monitor and evaluate Stream practices with a focus on continued improvement
  • Develop and maintain relationships with federal and state based education departments
  • Work closely with the Marketing and Communications team to ensure that the Kitchen Garden Program objectives are communicated effectively
  • Provide content and input to the continually developing SAKGF website

2.0 Growing SAKGF Program Stream /
  • Establish operational procedures to successfully deliver new/expandedProgram activities including:
  • Curriculum and resource development
  • Teacher and specialist staff training
  • A central school support model to supplement our existing support activities
  • The new SAKGF Learning Centre based at Collingwood College

3.0 Coordinate and maintain Food Education sector knowledge /
  • Stay informed of relevant programs across the Health and Education sectors
  • Identification of beneficial forums for SAKGF executive or team members to participate in or present at
  • Internal education of SAKGF team on sector activity and Program elements

4.0 Participation and reporting /
  • Demonstrate positive and professional demeanour consistent with SAKGF valued behaviours including ability to manage self, think clearly, deliver quality outcomes and cultivate productive working relationships.
  • Contribute to open and honest discussion, with a focus on outcomes, and a commitment to complete actions discussed.
  • When chairing a meeting, reflect a consensus approach, record major decisions and actions to be followed-up on an ongoing basis.
  • Prepare monthly reports that track progress against the Strategic goals
  • commit to the integrity, validity, currency and security of all Foundation information, including electronic records and documents
  • Contribute to annual planning and budgeting processes, reflecting the needs of the Program area.
Attend SAKGF events where possible

Key Working Relationships

INTERNAL / EXTERNAL
Chief Executive Officer / Program schools
Program Team / Subscriber organisations
Project Team / Education and Training Industry members
Marketing and Communications Team / Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Approval & Recommendation Levels

Area / Approve / Recommend
Finance / As per SAKGF delegations policy / As per SAKGF delegations policy
Staffing / As per SAKGF delegations policy / As per SAKGF delegations policy
Strategy / As per SAKGF delegations policy / As per SAKGF delegations policy

Position Specification

Qualifications(formal, recognised, qualifications/professional memberships)
  • Previous experience in a similar role preferred especially in staff management

Critical Competencies & Experience (skills, attitudes, abilities, motivations critical to successful performance)
  • High level of passion and commitment to the mission and values of the SAKGF and, in particular, a passion for food education.
  • Solid knowledge and experience within the education and training sector, including program delivery, and program support management
  • Capacity to operate and thrive in an innovative environment
  • Ability to think and work strategically whilst keeping an eye on detail
  • Highly developed inter-personal skills with a proven ability to build relationships through mutual respect and consultation;
  • Strong organisational skills. An ability to work on multiple tasks,with competing priorities simultaneously and with minimal supervision; and
  • A focus on team building\coaching and mentoring of staff to achieve outcomes
  • Highly developed problem-solving skills;
  • High level communication skills, and the ability to express ideas clearly and with confidence;

Knowledge(include area and level/significance of experience required)
  • Experience in, and an understanding of the not for profit sector
  • Experience in, and an understanding of the Australian quality training framework
  • Experience in education or health sector
  • Good working knowledge of MS Office suite and general IT skills including use of email, intranets, video conferencing, online meetings etc.

Special Requirements
  • The position is based in Victoria
  • A current driver’s licence and vehicle are desirable

This is not an exhaustive list of responsibilities or skills. This document is to be used as a guide only and job-holders may be required to complete tasks outside of this job description.

ACCEPTANCE OF POSITION DESCRIPTION

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Incumbent’s SignatureDate

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Chief Executive Officer’s SignatureDate

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© 2008 Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation