About the role The Head of Learning and Wellbeing – Top End leads the Learning and Wellbeing Team, a small multi-disciplinary team, to deliver the Children’s Ground Learning and Wellbeing Framework. They will lead the development and implementation of high quality, culturally enriched, early learning opportunities in the Top End. The Head of Learning and Wellbeing is also responsible for the delivery of a high-quality extended hours program, 10 to 25-year-olds, in our Top End communities.

As part of the senior management team, the role actively contributes to the development and achievement of the strategy, objectives and goals of the organisation.

This is a full-time position and will be based at Children's Ground office in Darwin. There is an expectancy to work from place-based offices at Minmarama, Knuckey's Lagoon and 15 Mile. You will also manage Learning programs in Marlkawo, a remote community in West Arnhem, providing virtual support and maintain direct communication with Marlkawo staff. Occasional travel to Marlkawo and West Arnhem is an expectation of the role.

Key Responsibilities

- Alongside First Nation educators, lead the development of early years curriculum for First Nations children in the Top End Communities. Oversight and management of the Extended Learning program for 10- to 25-year-olds in the four Top End Locations.
- Lead the development and implementation of the Learning and Wellbeing Framework for Children's Ground Top End
- Foster solid relationships with First Nations communities, ensuring Children’s Ground operations uphold and promote local cultural knowledge, aspirations and practices.
- Maintain robust systems, policies, and procedures prioritising child safety, compliance, quality, and integrity across all operations. Regularly review standards to meet regulatory and organisational requirements.
- Provide strength-based leadership and supervision to staff, support the development of a local First Nations workforce. Lead the professional growth of the Learning team through mentoring, training,



and responsive HR practices.
- Lead and foster a workplace culture of data collection, monitoring and evaluation, and evidence-based decision making, in line with the Children’s Ground Research and Evaluation principles. Train and empower local staff in community-led evaluation and documentation.
- Ensure all programs meet high standards of quality and integrity, with up-to-date risk management systems and compliance with early years learning frameworks and child safety legislation.
- Oversee budgets and grant reporting related to learning and wellbeing, ensuring financial practices align with Children’s Ground systems and strategic goals.

Essential Key Selection Criteria

- Experience with First Nation communities and a deep understanding of the key challenges facing First Nation Peoples, and the strengths of First Nations Peoples; and demonstrated cultural competency or experience in culturally safe practices, especially in educational settings.
- Relevant tertiary qualification and minimum 5 years teaching experience.
- Current teachers' registration with Teachers Registration Board Northern Territory, or ability to obtain.
- Proven experience in leading, designing and delivering early years curriculum and resource development.
- Experience leading and organising a learning environment that suits different ages and abilities (multi-aged class).
- Experience in leading and managing a team of people.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written.
- Ability to work flexibly and creatively in a demanding NGO environment.
- A current full driver’s license
- OCHRE card and National Police Clearance or willingness to obtain.

We are committed to increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation within our workforce and welcome applications from First Nations peoples.

We are committed to providing an inclusive recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments are available for candidates throughout the selection process.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the position may be filled before the advertised closing date.

📌 Head of Learning and Wellbeing (Australia)
🏢 Children's Ground
📍 Australia