Senior Prevention Advisor (Education)
Reports to Manager, Prevention Programs
VPS Level 5
Ongoing, Full Time
Located: Level 6, 14-20 Blackwood St, North Melbourne
Salary in accordance with Schedule B, VPS Enterprise Agreement (2016)
About the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation
The Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation (the foundation) is a statutory authority, established in 2011. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of Victorians by working with communities and government to deliver effective, evidence-based initiatives to prevent gambling harm and provide support for those seeking help. We take a public health approach to our work, which means we focus on prevention, early intervention and support for those who are particularly vulnerable to gambling harm as well as those living in regional and rural communities.
Harm from gambling can happen much earlier than people realise and affect the health, wellbeing and financial security of even those who gamble infrequently. By partnering with others, the foundation is working to raise awareness of gambling harm and provide access to a range of effective help services. Our prevention initiatives include state-wide advertising campaigns and community programs and we work with venues to help create safer gambling environments. The foundation’s research program provides a robust evidence base that underpins our work, including providing policy advice on gambling products and their promotion, development of community messages, program delivery and wide ranging support and help services. Our role extends to providing the latest information to community groups, local government and the public about gambling and its regulation in Victoria. The foundation also supports the training and professional development of health workers and others who provide gambling help services in Victoria.
The foundation is committed to making a positive difference to the lives of Victorians. We are a strong and united
organisation that values the diverse experiences and perspectives of our employees.
Role Purpose
The position plays a key role in the foundation’s efforts to support young people to build resilience to gambling related harm and interrupt the normalisation of gambling at a local level, particularly in schools and other youth based settings.
The Senior Prevention Programs Advisor will lead the strategic direction for the foundation’s School Education program and its broader youth initiatives delivered at the local level, drawing from insights and expertise from key education, youth and public health stakeholders and from relevant research. .
The role will promote the foundation’s local school and youth initiatives at a state-level, gaining buy-in from education peak bodies and other agencies. The role will oversee the development of new resources and materials for teachers, parents and students that aim to foster informed attitudes towards gambling in young people. The role includes contributing to the foundation’s other prevention programs, as required.
Reporting to the Director, Prevention, yet working relatively autonomously, the role requires a positive and professional approach. You will be an experienced educator who enjoys working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to drive program outcomes.
Key Selection Criteria
Technical Expertise / · Pedagogy: Understanding of theory and practice of education, in particular as it relates to the development of educational resources and teaching in secondary school settings.Knowledge and Skills / · Written Communication - prepare project briefs, reports, service plans, and policy options and recommendations on complex issues which are clear, exhaustive, and provide strong support for a preferred position or action.
· Influence and Negotiation - uses leadership and expertise to effectively address stakeholder issues, influencing others to identify opportunities and broker long-lasting solutions.
· Strategic Planning - translates strategic objectives into concrete business activities, tracking progress against organisational goals, delegating effectively and using innovative business approaches.
· Environmental Scanning - creates mutually beneficial relationships with colleagues and stakeholders to broaden understanding and gain an appreciation of the field, its trends and developments, and effective responses.
· Stakeholder Management - manages development and implementation of stakeholder initiatives, creates lasting relationships with stakeholder groups, and partners stakeholders to broker shared solutions in new areas.
· Contract Management - develops and presents business cases and plans, negotiates and manages complex contracts, and implements corrective action on issues identified.
Personal Qualities / · Conceptual and Analytical Ability - uses conceptual thinking and sound analytical approaches to support decision making in the work area.
· Initiative and Accountability - takes responsibility for actions and proactively implements work plan and addresses issues.
· Relationship Building - acts confidently to quickly build rapport with others and provide a sound basis for productive relationships based on mutual trust and respect.
Qualifications / Tertiary qualifications in secondary school teaching or other education related fields is a
requirement.
Key Accountabilities
Key accountabilities include:
· Leads the planning, management and monitoring of the School Education Program ensuring that it meets the needs of teachers, parents and students, while shifting attitudes and beliefs about gambling.
· Develops and oversees the development of gambling related education materials and resources for schools and youth settings that aligns with the Victorian Education Curriculum (where this is appropriate) and meets the needs of diverse audiences.
· Fosters stakeholder relationships with the Department of Education and other key government and educational institutions, as well as working collabortatively with the foundation’s funded Gambler’s Help services to gain program buy-in.
· Manages risks associated with delivering gambling related education activities in schools and with underage participants and can work effectively within a complex political environment.
· Markets and promotes the School Education Program, that increases awareness and grows the program.buy-in for the program.
· Makes a significant contribution to the devleopment of the foundation’s normalisation (youth) strategy, including providing expert advice, undertaking stakeholder consultations and gaining buy-in from internal and external interested parties to the strategy.
Important Information
The salary range for this position is set out in Schedule B of the Victorian Public Service Workplace Agreement 2016. Please refer to the Department of Treasury and Finance website (www.dtf.vic.gov.au) for further information.
The foundation is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees. The foundation embraces the public sector employment principles established under Part 2 of the Public Administration Act 2004. The principles aim to ensure that employment decisions are based on merit that employees are treated fairly and reasonably, that equal employment opportunity is provided, that human rights as set out in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 are upheld. All employees are required to comply with the Victorian Public Service Code of Conduct. The position description is indicative of the initial expectation of the role and subject to changes to Foundation goals and priorities, or focus of the role.
Please visit the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s website (www.responsiblegambling.vic.gov.au) for more information about our work.