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Form of work
SalaryAbout Ardoch
Ardoch is a national not-for-profit organisation focused on improving educational outcomes for children and young people experiencing disadvantage.
We deliver tailored education and wellbeing programs which address barriers to education by providing vital learning and wellbeing resources and activities. These programs build children and young people’s confidence, aspirations, social skills and wellbeing. These are essential elements for enabling full engagement in education and a love of learning. Engagement in education is the key to opening future pathways and possibilities. Without it, the cycle of disadvantage and inequity continues.
We broaden horizons for children by providing access to excursions and inspiring learning experiences. We mobilise volunteers to support students in partner schools to act as positive adult role models who invest time, share knowledge and experience, and actively demonstrate their interest in a child’s future. We advocate for change so that key issues such as inequities in Australia’s education system are at the forefront.
Ardoch works with thousands of children and young people in primary and secondary schools in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia. We achieve this by linking schools, businesses and communities to support programs and activities to assist schools, children and their families.
About the Regional Victoria program
Ardoch began expanding its program delivery to regional Victoria in 2018. Commencing with the Victorian government-supported regional Learning through Lunch program and adding our You-niversity programs, and more recently Artist in Residence programs, Ardoch has steadily increased the positive impact it has on school students in regional Victoria.
Our long-term goal is to be able to offer in regional areas the same kinds of programs that we offer in metro areas - because the needs in regional areas are so acute. Disengagement from education in rural areas tends to begin at a much younger age, sometimes as early as primary school. The next phase of our expansion is focused on offering a multi-touch point Pathways program (such as industry visits, career discussions, TAFE/university experiences) to Years 5 and 6 students, to help support and encourage their critical transition into high school.
We engage local organisations and businesses in support of our programs, whether through offering volunteers, locations for industry visits or financial support. In this way, we help to build a community around the school and expand the positive connections and possibilities for the students.
Position Objectives
1. Develop and strengthen relationships with education partners.
2. Support program coordination and delivery.
3. Support volunteer recruitment and engagement in regional programs.
4. Support program reporting and evaluation.
Location
The role will work throughout regional Victoria, operating remotely. The role is nominally based in Ballarat or Bendigo, in a working from home arrangement.
NOTE: The role must be based in regional Victoria. Ardoch is willing to consider a regional base different to Ballarat or Bendigo but has a preference for a central location to facilitate travel to other areas (which include Horsham, Shepparton, Wangaratta, Mildura, Albury and others). The incumbent will occasionally be required to attend meetings, in person, at Ardoch’s head office, which is located at Level 4/85 Queen Street, Melbourne, VIC, 3000.
Benefits of Working for Ardoch
• Working with like-minded colleagues to make a difference in our community to support the learning and wellbeing of children and young people experiencing disadvantage.
• Five days of designated gifted leave over the course of the year and a day off for your birthday.
• Flexible working arrangements, as agreed with your manager.
• Salary packaging, managed by Advantage Salary Packing, is available in line with current legislation.
• Ardoch’s strong commitment to staff learning and development.
Position Responsibilities
1. Develop and strengthen relationships:
• Establish, develop and strengthen relationships with new and existing education partners (schools) in regional Victoria, including Geelong and surrounding areas, to understand school needs and support program delivery.
• Develop and strengthen relationships with the Victorian government, local government, and community and business stakeholders in regional Victoria to generate interest and support for Ardoch’s programs in regional areas.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across the Programs and Fundraising and Engagement Teams to share information regarding education partner needs and expectations and ensure a positive, seamless experience for partners, across the organisation.
• Identify and participate in relevant community networks and forums to support Ardoch’s profile-building and connection with relevant stakeholders in each region.
2. Support program coordination and delivery:
• Work collaboratively with Program Coordinators to enable the effective and efficient delivery of Ardoch’s programs in regional Victoria.
• Develop, strengthen and manage relationships with regional facilitators (organisational facilitation partners and casual facilitators) to support smooth program delivery.
• Facilitate program delivery, on an ad hoc basis, when local regional facilitators are unavailable.
• Be accountable for the programs that are allocated to schools in regional Victoria, ensuring commitments to schools and donors are met.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date program data in line with Ardoch processes.
3. Support volunteer recruitment and engagement in regional programs:
• Work collaboratively with the Program Coordinators and Volunteers Team to support the local recruitment, of volunteers to support program delivery.
• Provide input to the development of Ardoch’s volunteer recruitment strategies for regional areas.
4. Support program reporting and evaluation:
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection, in agreed formats, for all program activities in regional Victoria, and contribute to program reporting for funders and other stakeholders.
• Work closely with education partners to ensure their prompt participation in data-gathering activities.
• Contribute to program monitoring and evaluation activities to support program improvement and advocacy and marketing efforts.
Other duties as required commensurate with role.
Key Selection Criteria
Essential
1. Outstanding relationship development and management skills.
2. Understanding of and commitment to the work of Ardoch and its vision, purpose and values.
3. Demonstrated success working collaboratively with a diverse range of organisations and stakeholders, including diverse populations and those experiencing disadvantage.
4. Demonstrated experience working in customer service or relationship management roles.
5. Demonstrated ability to work independently while remaining accountable for own performance as part of a team.
6. Demonstrated ability to manage casual staff and ensure consistent level of service delivery.
7. Successful track record of project management in a multi-stakeholder environment.
8. High level of computer, administrative and database management skills.
9. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
10. Well-developed interpersonal, consultation, problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Highly Desirable
1. Tertiary qualification in relevant and related discipline or equivalent years of experience.
2. Experience using CRM systems such as Salesforce.
3. Experience reporting on program effectiveness and impact.
4. Practical experience working in early years or school settings, particularly in communities facing disadvantage, or understanding and knowledge of the Victorian education system and policy context.
5. Experience working with volunteers.
How to apply
For further information please contact Joe Reed, Program Delivery and Growth Manager, on 03 9537 2414 or via recruitment@ardoch.org.au.
To apply, please send an email to recruitment@ardoch.org.au, noting the name of the role in the subject line and attaching:
1. A cover letter (maximum two pages) outlining how you meet the selection criteria (both the leadership capabilities and skills).
2. Your current resume along with three referees. (Referees will not be contacted without prior knowledge of applicant.)
NOTE: You do not need to address every point in the selection criteria individually. Across your cover letter and resume, you should demonstrate that you meet the selection criteria, providing examples of how you have done so, where necessary, such as through other experiences.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so early application is encouraged. Applications close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 6 March. We anticipate that first interviews will take place in the week beginning 11 March 2024. For more information and the Position Description, please visit https://ardoch.org.au/careers
Ardoch is an equal opportunity employer and Indigenous Australians, people living with disability, people who identify as LGBTIQA+ or are from a culturally and linguistically diverse background are encouraged to apply.
Please contact us at recruitment@ardoch.org.au or on (03) 9537 2414 if you have any accessibility requirements with which we can assist.
