Principal Advisor Aboriginal Workforce

Office for Early Childhood Development
Job reference: 853659
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Short Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us: 

The Office for Early Childhood Development was created to champion change and to help build a system that gives all South Australian children a flying start to life.

Guided by the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care, the Office for Early Childhood Development is the steward of the early childhood development system in South Australia.

The Office is tasked with a significant responsibility: bringing together a holistic, connected system for early childhood development across South Australia, with the goal of reducing the rate of children entering school developmentally vulnerable. Critical to this is the roll-out of universal 3-year-old preschool from 2026, giving every child access to 2 years of teacher-led, play-based early learning before school by 2032.

About this role: 

The Principal Advisor, Aboriginal Workforce will provide strategic leadership, cultural guidance and expert advice, applying a cultural lens to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies and initiatives related to Aboriginal children, families and Communities.

The incumbent will actively engage and work in close partnership with Aboriginal peoples and Communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, government agencies and key stakeholders to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Aboriginal teachers, educators, children, families and Communities.

Your Key Responsibilities: 

• Provide leadership, high-level advice and guidance to senior management and other business units with a strong focus on achieving outcomes for Aboriginal peoples.
• Lead and manage processes to support the development and implementation of policies, frameworks and initiatives that act on workforce recommendations from the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care and South Australian Aboriginal Early Childhood Workforce Strategy.
• Build and maintain meaningful, collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across all levels, and strengthen the agency’s partnerships with Aboriginal families, Communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
• Undertake research on subjects related to Aboriginal Children, families and Communities, preparing succinct briefings, submissions and policy documents based on research outcomes.

About you:

You will bring extensive experience in working with Aboriginal Children, families and Communities supported by knowledge of early childhood services and the socio-economic environment in South Australia affecting Aboriginal children. Your ability to effectively assess and provide Culturally considered advice will be critical to implementing policy and processes that achieve outcomes for Aboriginal peoples in a complex and changing reform environment.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone who brings:

• Demonstrated ability to effectively assess and provide strategic, Culturally considered advice on broad policy implications.
• Proficient in operating autonomously under broad direction and exercising judgement, initiative and delegated authority to deliver key outcomes within tight timeframes.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, including ability to convey concepts in a clear, succinct manner.
• Demonstrated experience in applying detailed knowledge of government policy, agency procedures and practices to administer and interpret legislative requirements.

Role Benefits: 

• A role with real influence and impact in government policy.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within the public sector
• Work with senior officials across government and early childhood sectors.
• Be part of an agency with a clear mission to improve the lives of South Australia’s children and families.

• Access to valuable salary sacrifice benefits like car leases, portable electronic devices, mobile phones, airline lounge memberships, self-education expenses, and more. Ask us about how you can make your salary go further working at the OECD.
• Access to flexible working arrangements to get that work life balance.

  

Application Instructions and Information:

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants must submit a CV, Pre-employment Declaration, and a cover letter outlining their suitability against the attached position description.

Eligibility Requirements:

In accordance with Section 56 (2) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (SA), applicants for this position must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

Remuneration:

ASO8 - $130,046 - $134,956 (1.0 FTE) per annum, plus superannuation.

Additional Note:

This is a full-time long term contract role until 30 June 2027 (1.0 FTE) with possibility of extension.

Enquiries:

Enquiries can be directed to **********@sa.gov.au

Special Conditions:

For all other special conditions please refer to the attached position description.

Applications close: 23/08/2026 11:45 PM

Attachments:
- Position Description - ASO8 Principal Advisor Aboriginal Workforce.pdf
- Pre-employment Declaration.pdf

Flexibility Statement
The South Australian public sector promotes diversity and flexible ways of working including part-time. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the flexible working arrangements for this role.