Manager, Child Safety Investigations

Manager, Child Safety Investigations x 2About the DepartmentThe Department of Education (DE) leads the delivery of education and development services to children and students both directly through government schools and indirectly through the regulation and funding of early childhood services and non-government schools.About the DivisionThe Conduct and Integrity Division provides expert advice and support to school principals and other people managers on managing employee conduct and performance including Child Safety concerns and fraud and corruption.There are four branches within the Division:

• Preliminary Investigations Branch
• Child Safety Investigations Branch
• Child Safety and Fraud Investigations Branch
• Child Safety and Integrity (Policy and Operations) Branch.

The Division leads critical functions with respect to both school and corporate employees and operations:

• Child Safety misconduct and reportable conduct investigations, including notifications to the Commission for Children and Young People (CCYP) under the Reportable Conduct Scheme in relation to departmental employees and others engaged in departmental workplaces and notifications to the Disability Worker Regulation Commission
• fraud and corruption investigations, including mandatory reporting to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and public interest disclosures
• developing and maintaining the department's guidelines on managing complaints, misconduct and unsatisfactory performance for the teaching service and the public service
• providing expert advice and support to principals and people managers to manage allegations of misconduct, unsatisfactory performance, fitness for duty and
• expert advice and management of fraud and corruption, conflict of interest, and integrity performance monitoring and reporting
• pre-employment screening, and expert advice on suitability for employment and management of the department's Employment Limitation policy
• managing relationships with oversight and integrity bodies (including the Victorian Institute of Teaching, CCYP, IBAC, Victorian Ombudsman and the Victorian Public Sector Commission)
• capability building and training activities aimed at increasing staff confidence to prevent, speak up, identify and respond to inappropriate behaviour, reportable conduct and misconduct
• strengthening avenues for staff to speak up about inappropriate behaviour and misconduct
• driving behavioural and system change to build a stronger culture of integrity in the department.

About the RoleReporting into the Director, the Manager, Child Safety Investigations is responsible for managing and leading a team of Child Safety Investigators and carrying a small load of investigations into complaints, allegations of misconduct by department employees and allegations of child abuse falling within the Reportable Conduct Scheme related to our workplaces.As part of this role, the Manager is responsible for:

• modelling the Public Sector Values and ensuring relevant departmental policies and procedures are followed
• overseeing and managing a team of investigators
• fostering talent and building team capability
• leading and overseeing the delivery of high quality and efficient investigations and support and advice to the department's people managers in relation to matters subject to investigation
• leading and overseeing a team providing expert advice, support and recommendations to people managers and delegated decision-makers about risk mitigation during investigations and employment actions arising out of investigations
• building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, including senior decision-makers and with external regulators, including the CCYP and the Victorian Institute of Teaching
• embedding the use of effective investigation processes and implementing system and process changes to drive continuous improvement
• managing contracts with outsourced service providers as required
• providing support and advice to the department's senior executives in relation to misconduct and reportable conduct matters.

About YouThis role will benefit from a successful people manager, who can leverage their expertise to drive and motivate a small, expert team. You will be proactive, driven and have proven experience working in a highly sensitive, confidential environment.As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• proven, specialist expertise within an investigations environment
• excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship building skills, working within a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• a successful record of managing and supporting the professional development of a team
• ability to develop and embed processes, identify and find solutions for continuous improvement
• a current Employee Working with Children Check, or ability to obtain one

How to applyApplicants are required to submit a CV and cover letter (max 2 pages for cover letter) summarising their skills, relevant experience and suitability to the role in line with the duties, required capabilities and the Key Selection Criteria.Further InformationFor more details regarding this position please see attached position description.For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Jonelle White - Director, Investigations via 03 7022 1020 or jonelle.white@education.vic.gov.auThe department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the and ourApplicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at .Preferred applicants may be required to have a Working with Children Check, a police check and other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.Applications close 07 July, 11:59pm.Job detailsJob Reference: VG/DE/PES/20015260
Location: Melbourne - CBD
Work Type: Ongoing - full time
Job Function: Regulatory, Governance and Compliance
Classification: VPSG6
Salary Range: $130,673 - $174,869
Job Duration: Ongoing
Date posted: 21-Jun-2024
Application Close Date: 07-Jul-2024
Attachments: (Word, 73KB)
Job SpecificationContact:Jonelle Whitejonelle.white@education.vic.gov.au