Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is a national organisation known and respected for the quality and impact of its leadership, advocacy and resourcing on behalf of young children aged between birth and eight years of age. We are currently seeking to fill a number of positions in the ECA National Office, based in Canberra, and various other positions located across Australia. ECA is committed to equal employment opportunities and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as well as people with a disability.

Policy and Government Relations Executive

The Policy and Government Relations Executive is a key position within the Professional Practice & Research team. It is responsible for overseeing ECA’s work in the social and public policy arena, reporting to the General Manager Professional Practice & Research.  This role is responsible for productive stakeholder management including with parliamentary representatives and the media.

To perform in this role you will need to have a thorough understanding of the policy and legislative frameworks relevant to the delivery of early childhood services across Australia as well as options for the future and contemporary directions in research and practice.

Interstate travel may be required.

This position is permanent full-time, 37.5 hours per week. The ECA National Office is in the ACT however this role can be based at any location.

Key Responsibilities 

  • Review research and practice evidence to inform ECA policy positions
  • Develop submissions and advice to Federal and State/Territory Governments
  • Manage research and development projects commissioned or undertaken by ECA
  • Manage project officers when required
  • Engage with external reference groups and specialists such as academic experts and researchers
  • Identify opportunities for ECA to contribute to policy debates and decision-making
  • Prepare tenders, reports and proposals for research projects and projects involving sector consultation and development.
  • Engage ECA members in general advocacy through ECA projects and campaigns

Selection Criteria

Required

  1. Tertiary qualification in social policy, law and/or project management
  2. Minimum 5 years relevant experience in a policy or advocacy role and/or leadership role in the early childhood sector that has included policy/advocacy or research responsibilities.
  3. Substantive experience in undertaking consultation and developing written submissions/reports.
  4. Solid experience in the delivery of national projects funded by government – including work planning, liaison with funding bodies, delivery of project outputs.
  5. Experience in an advocacy role, with strong diplomacy and negotiating skills.
  6. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  7. Able to work well in a team.

Desirable

  1. Knowledge of early childhood education and care legislation and policy frameworks
  2. Experience in conducting, analysing and utilising research
  3. Excellent organisational skills, including demonstrated capacity to manage multiple projects
  4. Sound Microsoft Office skills (including experience creating graphs and charts).

Apply via Seek by clicking your relevant state or territory:

Please apply through Seek with your current resume and a brief cover letter addressing the ‘Required’ Selection Criteria. Only applications addressing the selection criteria will be considered.

Publishing editor – Canberra

The Publishing Editor role is responsible for the editing, proofing, content development of the organisation and ensures that all materials produced reflects ECA’s values, maintains consistency and achieves the objectives set out in ECA’s Strategic Plan. The Studio and Publishing team delivers a range of corporate, marketing, events, professional learning and published communications across ECA’s portfolio. The ECA Studio offers services to both projects undertaken by ECA as well as external clients that require editing and proofing services. The Publishing Editor reports directly to the Studio and Publishing Executive Manager.

Please apply through Seek with your current resume and a brief cover letter addressing the ‘Required’ Selection Criteria by midnight 21 September 2021.

NDIS Early Childhood Specialist

Based in Darwin but advertised in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Darwin

As an Early Childhood Specialist, you will be a key point of contact for families whilst working within a transdisciplinary team. You will work closely with families to support them to identify their child’s needs and to set goals that will assist the child in everyday environments. You will support families to access community-based and mainstream supports. You will also gather information to identify the appropriate referral pathway for the child and support the family to access these services, which may include the NDIS. You will provide short-term interventions, where appropriate, and develop and monitor goals with the family.

We are seeking a tertiary qualified Allied health professional, preferably with Paediatric experience to fill the role, however other Early Childhood Education qualifications would be considered.  You will have experience delivering services/support to children with developmental delay or disability. A current Working with Children Clearance (Ochre Card) or the ability to obtain and NT drivers licence is essential.  Where appropriate, clinical or professional registration is required.

A National Police Check will be conducted prior to commencement.

This is a full time position based in Darwin.  Normal work hours are flexible between 7.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday.  The positions will require a commitment to occasional attendance at events outside normal work hours. Relocation assistance may be available.

Apply via Seek by clicking your relevant state or territory:

Early Childhood Inclusion Professional

based in Alice Springs but advertised in Darwin, Adelaide, and Brisbane

As a member of the Early Childhood Australia NT Branch, Inclusion Agency team based in Alice Springs you will:

  • work directly with services and stakeholders to deliver inclusion support to ECEC services, educators and parents
  • work to promote an understanding of inclusion, which focuses on all children being seen as capable and contributing in their environment
  • work closely with other NT-IA Inclusion Professionals to deliver support to the ECEC sector which is flexible and responsive to needs and in accordance with ISP Guidelines.

Apply via Seek by clicking your relevant state or territory:

Customer Service Officer

As Customer Service Officer, you will be the first line of response to customers regarding their memberships and subscriptions, sale of resources, online learning queries and registrations into ECA’s various events.  You will thrive as Customer Service Officer if you enjoy pro-actively communicating with customers as a significant part of your day. In this role, you will also need to communicate and coordinate with other teams within ECA to ensure the customers needs are being met.

Apply for this role through Seek. Applications must address the Required Experience in the cover letter.

Call for Expression of Interest

 AJEC Editorial Assistant

Open to PhD Candidates and Early Career Researchers from within Australia and New Zealand

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) is seeking Expressions of Interest for an Editorial Assistant for the Australasian Journal of Early Childhood (AJEC). The position will require the selected candidate to provide support to the editor, including compliance checking papers, managing workflow in an online manuscript management system, communicating with authors and peer reviewers by email, and scheduling meetings. The Editorial Assistant will join the AJEC Editorial Executive and Committee. The Editorial Assistant will be appointed for a three-year term. Following completion of the term, the Editorial Assistant will have the option of continuing as an ordinary Committee member.

Essential Criteria:

  • Currently enrolled in an approved PhD program at a university in Australia or New Zealand, or employed at a university in Australia or New Zealand and within five years of PhD completion.
  • Experience and/or expertise in a relevant field of early childhood, including education, developmental psychology, community, and/or health services.
  • Demonstrated ability to complete set work tasks to deadline.
  • Capacity to attend and participate in Editorial Executive meetings (60 minutes, fortnightly) and Committee meetings (90 minutes, every two months).
  • Experience with online manuscript submissions.
  • Commitment to working with colleagues with diverse areas of expertise.

Desirable qualities include:

  • Knowledge of ECA as an organisation.
  • Excellent organisational skills.
  • Commitment to improving processes.

Please note: This is a voluntary position.

Applications

Applications must include: A curriculum vitae and cover letter addressing each of the selection criteria.

Send applications to: publishing@earlychildhood.org.au

Closing date: 30 September 2021