SM1 Manager, Closing the Gap Policy and Transformation

Department for Education
Job reference: 854651
Location: 5000 - ADELAIDE
Job status: Long Term Contract
Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Why work with us

Every child and young person deserves a great education.

We have a strategy that aims to unlock every child’s potential now and into the future, one that in partnership with learners, students, parents and the wider South Australian community will build a world-leading public education system. One that is equitable and prioritises learning and wellbeing.

Together we will make our education system the best it can be.

When our children and young people thrive, so do our communities and our state.

About the role

The Strategy and Performance division shapes and safeguards the direction, integrity and performance of South Australia’s public education system. By leading system-wide strategy and providing trusted insight and advice, we align evidence, policy and engagement to strengthen the system and solve complex challenges - enabling schools and preschools to support every child and young person to learn and thrive.

The Manager, Closing the Gap Policy and Transformation leads a team that supports the public education system to provide culturally responsive, excellent and equitable education for Aboriginal children and young people. The team plays a key role in driving the development and delivery of a critical policy agenda across the department, including the newly developed Blueprint for Aboriginal Outcomes in Public Education, the department’s commitments under Closing the Gap, and the Reconciliation Action Plan.

The Manager must support authentic cultural understanding and competence in a highly complex operating environment, providing strategic oversight of the team’s relationship with people and groups including those within the department, other parts of government, and key Aboriginal stakeholder organisations.

Qualifications

Essential: Nil

Desirable: : A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience in law, economic, evaluation, public policy, early childhood or education, or similar.  

Experience working collaboratively with Aboriginal people to bring about change.

Detailed knowledge of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and key government policies and procedures. 

Special conditions

The successful applicant is required to gain a Department for Human Services (DHS) working with children check (WWCC) prior to being employed which is required to be renewed every five years before expiry.

The incumbent will be required to undertake RRHAN –EC (Responding to Risks of Harm, Abuse and Neglect - Education Care) Facilitator Lead (Masterclass) extended course or the online (Fundamentals) course which will be required to be updated every three years. 

For all other Special Conditions please refer to the attached Position Description.

Remuneration

SM1   $144,421 per annum (1.0 FTE) + superannuation (12%)

Enquiries

Enquiries can be directed to Angalee Tarasenko, Executive and Project Officer, via tel: (08) 8226 13***or email: ***************@sa.gov.au

Application instructions

Applications should be made through the IWorkForSA website.

Applicants are required to submit a CV, the Application Cover Sheet, Employment Declaration, and a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the key competencies in the attached position description.

People of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and/or those who have a disability are strongly encouraged to apply.

Additional note

This is a full-time contract role (1.0 FTE), initial term contract (backfill) until 26 June 2028.

Applications close: 31/08/2026 11:30 PM

Attachments:
- Application Cover Sheet - PS Act.pdf
- How to Apply - PS Act guidelines.pdf
- Position Description - SM1 - Manager Closing the Gap Policy and Transformation.pdf
- VL233 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.