About the Department

The VCAA is a statutory body responsible to the Victorian Minister for Education, serving both government and non-government schools. In this context, the VCAA is responsible for developing high-quality curriculum and assessment products and services.

The VCAA is a registered foundational and senior secondary awarding body with the Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA). As part of its functions, the VCAA develops policies, criteria and standards for:

- curriculum, assessments and courses for school-aged students

- learning, development and assessments which relate to early childhood

The VCAA develops strong relationships with the government, Independent and Catholic school sector, other national and interstate curriculum authorities, academics in the field, teacher/subject associations and, most importantly, with Victorian educators.

All VCAA employees are expected to perform their duties in accordance with relevant legislation, governance requirements, policies and procedures, safety obligations, the Code of Conduct for Victorian public sector employees, and the Victorian Public Sector Values.

All roles are expected to work collaboratively across teams and functions, build productive relationships, and contribute to shared organisational outcomes.

About the Division

Curriculum Division is responsible for the development, implementation and review of:

- the Victorian Curriculum F-10

- Senior Secondary, including: the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the VCE Vocational Major; the Victorian Pathways Certificate (VPC); the VCE Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs

- international programs

The Curriculum Design Unit leads the design, evaluation and continuous improvement of curriculum across early childhood education and the Victorian Curriculum F-10, ensuring it remains high-quality, coherent, contemporary and aligned with government and system priorities. The Unit provides authoritative advice and stakeholder support across key curriculum priority areas including the early years, the eight learning areas, Foundation Levels A-D, the capabilities, the cross-curriculum priorities and the foundational skills, responding to evidence, school need and educator feedback.

The Senior Curriculum Adviser will contribute to the design, monitoring, review and ongoing development of the Victorian Curriculum F-10 by providing specialist curriculum and policy expertise with a particular focus on a particular focus on the four capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Capability, Intercultural Capability) and three cross-curriculum priorities (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia's Engagement with Asia, and Sustainability).

The Curriculum Design unit is a small, high-performing team within a busy, dynamic work environment. The ability to think flexibly and strategically, adapt to changing priorities, work closely with internal and external stakeholders and autonomously manage tasks to completion is essential.

In this role, you will use your knowledge and experience in specialist curriculum design and implementation to lead the Capabilities and Cross-curriculum Priorities for the Curriculum Design Unit, leading to tangible actions and outcomes for the team. Your ability to identify and mitigate risks and think critically from multiple perspectives to solve problems will support the team to deliver high-quality solutions and outcomes.

Your ability to navigate complex issues and make decisions that impact staff and stakeholders both within and beyond your immediate work area will be utilised in this role. Your capacity for collaboration, driving continuous improvement, and cultivating genuine relationships will be pivotal for your success.



You will be an effective people manager who fosters collaborative team development, builds a safe and welcoming work setting and leads with integrity.

Your strong writing skills will be utilised in the preparation of reports and papers for project governance boards, development of presentations for executives, internal and external stakeholders and writing briefings, correspondence and communications. You will lead and/or contribute to documents that require strategic thinking and collaboration across teams, divisions or departments, such as budget bids, policy and PAEC responses.

About the Role

The Senior Curriculum Adviser - Capabilities and CCPs will provide specialist curriculum and policy expertise with a particular focus on a particular focus on the four capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Capability, Intercultural Capability) and three cross-curriculum priorities (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia's Engagement with Asia, and Sustainability) for the Curriculum Design Unit.

Attributes

- Provide curriculum management and specialist support to educators working in the field through the provision of resources, advice and professional engagement to support curriculum and assessment implementation within the work area.
- Maintain skilled engagement with educators, demonstrating specialist expertise, credibility, and a commitment to ongoing learning. Represent the VCAA in local and national forums in line with agreed priorities.
- Contribute to the design, monitoring, review and ongoing development of the Victorian Curriculum F-10 by providing specialist curriculum and policy expertise with a particular focus on the four capabilities (Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Capability, Ethical Capability, Intercultural Capability) and three cross-curriculum priorities (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Histories and Cultures, Asia and Australia's Engagement with Asia, and Sustainability).
- Provide specialist curriculum and policy advice on issues relating to curriculum design, inclusive education, student diversity and curriculum access.
- Lead and coordinate curriculum and policy projects, develop project plans, monitor progress, managing risks and stakeholder engagement, and ensuring deliverables are completed within agreed timeframes and quality standards.
- Support the development of curriculum resources and professional learning including procurement, contract management and project governance activities, working collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to deliver agreed outcomes.
- Analyse educational research, stakeholder feedback, policy developments and emerging trends to identify issues, opportunities and implications for curriculum and assessment policy.
- Develop evidence-based advice, briefings, reports, discussion papers and other strategic communications to support executive decision-making and policy development.
- Support curriculum and policy projects by undertaking research, analysis, planning, coordination and reporting activities to ensure the timely delivery of outcomes.
- Monitor national and international developments in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment and educational reform, and provide advice on their relevance to the Victorian context.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with education sector representatives, subject matter experts, professional associations,



government agencies and internal stakeholders to inform curriculum and policy development.
- Coordinate consultation and engagement activities, synthesising stakeholder perspectives and evidence to support informed decision-making.
- Analyse qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate curriculum initiatives, identify emerging issues and contribute to continuous improvement activities.
- Prepare high-quality materials for governance and advisory groups, including briefings, presentations, reports and committee papers at an advanced professional level.
- Contribute to strategic business planning, interpret and apply business plans and policies, provide advice on implementation issues, and support continuous improvement in the work area.
- Be accountable for work organisation, allocation of resources within and the outputs required of the work area.
- Formulate policy options and advice. Develop briefs on highly complex issues that provide options for discussion/consideration and will contribute to final options for decision.
- Work collaboratively across the VCAA to support activities in other areas and contribute to broader organisational priorities where required.
- Manage and lead projects within the area of responsibility, including development of project briefs and plans.
- Model high level leadership attributes and professional behaviours.
- Engagement with educators and the education community is a core activity of this role.
- This role will support surge or critical activity needs of other roles in the team, unit, branch, division, and organisation as directed by a member of the executive team.
- Undertake other duties as required, consistent with the classification and capabilities of the role.
- Act responsibly and proactively to support occupational health, safety and wellbeing for self and others, consistent with organisational policies and obligations.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

- Relevant tertiary qualification in education and/or policy in related areas.
- Classroom practice experience related to role function is desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in project management, curriculum design and implementation, and resource development

How to Apply

Applicants are encouraged to include a Curriculum Vitae and a Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria provided in the position description

Further Information

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.

The 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 Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.

For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Samantha Cunningham, Manager Curriculum Design Unit via email: ***************@education.vic.gov.au.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g. large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.

Applications close 11:59pm on 30-Oct-2026

📌 Senior Curriculum Adviser, Capabilities and Cross-Curriculum Priorities (Melbourne)
🏢 Department of Education Victoria
📍 Melbourne