Education Benalla Program
Program Manager
Background
Tomorrow Today is Benalla district's community foundation, formed and run by local people with the purpose of enabling the creation of a stronger, more resilient and prosperous rural community. Our vision is a generous community, able to achieve a stronger tomorrow by challenging itself today.
Benalla is highly socially disadvantaged, rating in the worst top 40 of the 726 Victorian postcodes investigated as part of Prof. Tony Vinson’s study “Dropping Off the Edge: the distribution of disadvantage in Australia”. Prof. Vinson noted in his report on disadvantage that it was difficult to deny the centrality of limited education and its impact on the acquisition of economic and life skills in the making and sustaining of disadvantage in Australia
In relation to education, Benalla has a number of problems that are either the consequence of social disadvantage, or that increase levels of social disadvantage. These problems include a high proportion of children starting school without the range of skills necessary to move forward with learning; reducing levels of literacy and numeracy in the early school years; low levels of wellbeing amongst the student population; a disproportionately high level of school leaving prior to Year 12; a concentration of Year 12 completers without tertiary qualifications in low-skilled occupations that are the least secure; and an inability for families to financially support the transition of children to higher education or training.
A program to achieve real change in educational attainment levels has been in operation in Benalla since 2010. Called “Education Benalla Program” (EBP) it works with families, schools, governments, business and community organisations to improve Benalla student outcomes. EBP is on track to achieve its objective that by 2030 the education and training completion rates of Benalla students will equal or exceed the Victorian average.
The Education Benalla Program Manager will lead a small team, dedicated to achieving measurable change in Benalla. The position will report to the Executive Officer.
Position Summary
1. Pursue the objectives of the Education Benalla Program (EBP) to improve educational outcomes for Benalla’s children. Plan, deliver and support projects and activities including the new ‘Future Work’ project (see attached project description) that improve employability skills, digital literacy, engagement with learning and wellbeing of Benalla students.
Critical Skills
1. Project coordination experience: Ability to progress major projects from design phase to implementation, balancing organisational, team and individual priorities and capacities and ensuring key requirements are met. Experience working across the community with a range of agencies and organisations to promote collective action. Sound understanding of the education sector. Business knowledge and experience an advantage.
2. Financial management: Ability to prepare program and project budgets, manage and review financial performance and ensure availability of adequate resources.
3. Communication: Demonstrated capacity to liaise effectively at all levels and relate well to all kinds of people. Proven ability to work collaboratively with families, young people, schools, business and agencies. Excellent written, verbal and computer skills. A professional approach to work. Ability to work effectively as leader of a small team. First rate IT skills and thorough current knowledge of, and experience with social media (including digital marketing) are a distinct advantage.
4. Flexibility: Ability to generate options and ideas and to take advantage of new and emerging opportunities. Ability to review and manage activities in response to the changing needs of program participants. A commitment to continuous improvement and establishment of effective systems for feedback and review.
5. Risk Management: Ability to implement systems to address adverse events and problems and assist the team to take proactive approaches to problem-solving. Manage work practices for health and wellbeing of staff and compliance with OHS legislation. Establish and review OHS systems and procedures to address organisational requirements
RESPONSIBILITIES
Managerial
Coordinate the day to day activities of the EBP, delivering a range of child, parent and student-focussed projects and activities in partnership with schools, public agencies, businesses and community groups to achieve the desired outcome that by 2030 education and training completion rates for Benalla 17 – 24 year olds will equal or exceed the Victorian average.
Provide leadership and direction to a dedicated staff team, supporting them to achieve their workplans, and ensure that all people working in the EBP (staff and volunteers) are focussed on achieving the aims and objectives of the Education Benalla Program.
Discuss strategy and progress with the Convenor of the Education Benalla Program, the Board and the Executive Officer. Ensure activity metrics are formalised, collected and collated. Feed advice re progress and continual improvement into decision making processes. Report to the Education Benalla Program Management Committee and Board against Key Result Areas.
Oversee day to day financial management of the Program, ensuring that the team has the human and material resources needed to effectively achieve EBP objectives while ensuring expenditure is controlled in line with budgets.
Ensure that appropriate policies, procedures, systems and processes are in place and adhered to for the EBP; and that a comprehensive risk management assessment and mitigation plan is maintained.
Oversee the production of social media posts, media releases and other marketing material to raise public awareness of EBP and to achieve specific digital projects. Maintain and increase program participation. Ensure that communication materials are prepared to a high standard. Ensure representations made on behalf of Tomorrow Today are always targeted and appropriate; and that the reputation of the organisation is protected and enhanced.
Relational
Build the inclusiveness of Benalla’s 11 - 16 year olds in the co-design of projects and activities. Develop a team approach (staff, volunteers and visiting experts) to giving power and agency to young people.
Continue to find ways to engage with the most marginalised and vulnerable children and families.
Facilitate effective relationships and networks with principal supporters, partners and stakeholders.
Maintain systems that protect client and stakeholder confidentiality. Foster a culture of respect for client dignity.
Facilitate the integration of EBP projects and activities with other Benalla initiatives and projects.
Ensure that all EBP staff, volunteers, partners and program participants are encouraged to contribute to program improvement and innovation.
Work with the Board and EO to pursue funding opportunities in philanthropic and government sectors.
Contribute to the reputation of the organisation as an outstanding national example of community philanthropy.
Qualifications
1. Preference is for a relevant qualification (e.g. management, public relations, digital media, youth and community development, education).
2. Current full Victorian driver’s license and comprehensively insured, roadworthy vehicle.
3. Current National Police Check.
4. Current Working with Children Check
Employment Terms
The position is full time.
A two-year contract will be offered.
Salary range is $80,000 to $85,000 per annum, based on experience, plus 9.25% superannuation, car and phone allowance.
There will be a six-month probationary period.
Salary packaging is available.
The position will be located in Benalla.
National Employment Standards apply.
Application Process
Privacy:
In accordance with Privacy Legislation, Tomorrow Today Education Foundation will use the personal information provided by applicants solely for the purpose of making appointments to positions within the organisation. Tomorrow Today will take all reasonable steps to protect the personal information it collects and uses. It will not disclose such information to any outside organisation. Tomorrow Today will destroy the personal information when it is no longer needed for selection purposes except where the applicant accepts a position within the organisation. By submitting personal information to Tomorrow Today Education Foundation, applicants are deemed to have given their consent to the collection, use and storage of their personal information for the purpose stated above.
Applications:
Written applications should include daytime contact information, a statement addressing each of the critical skills, and details of experience and qualifications.
Closing date for applications Monday 19 March 2018.
Applicants will need to be available for interview on Thursday 22 March 2018.
Shortlisted applicants are required to bring original qualifications to interview and provide names and contact information for two professional referees.
Address application to:
Executive Officer
Tomorrow Today Education Foundation
PO Box 281
BENALLA VIC 3671
Or email:
Enquiries to the Executive Officer, Pat Claridge Ph: 5762 1211 Mob: 0429 173418
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