Senior Program Advisor

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Victorian Government in Melbourne is seeking a Senior Program Advisor to drive development and implementation of the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative (MHiPS) within the Student Mental Health Branch. You will manage policy projects, engage with stakeholders, and produce reports and guidance for schools.

The role requires experience in education policy, government processes, and contract governance, with collaboration across divisions and external partners.

Qualifications

• Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in education, social policy, health/mental health or related field.
• Desirable: A good understanding of VPS operations and processes is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Be an integral part of a small, high-performing team working in a dynamic environment.
• Support the development and implementation of mental health policy for schools and implementation of the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative.
• Work with stakeholders across the department and externally.
• Lead project and program management related to student mental health initiatives and projects and produce a range of written products, including presentations, reports, briefings and guidance for schools and
• Lead contract management, governance arrangements, and data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Policy and project management

Stakeholder management

Problem solving

Written communication

Organisational skills

Education

Tertiary qualification in education or social policy or health/mental health

Job description

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DE/SEPS/1952893

This role provides an exciting opportunity for an individual to contribute to driving the ongoing development and implementation of the one of the department's landmark student mental health initiatives - the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative (MHiPS), within the Student Mental Health Branch. Experience and skills in policy and project management, understanding of government, stakeholder management and problem solving are crucial to be successful in this role.

About the Division

Wellbeing,Healthand Engagement Division (WHED)

WHED leads the department's efforts to support student wellbeing, health,engagementand inclusion. This includes supporting:

• schools to create and uphold safe,inclusiveandequitableschool environments and prevent and respond to family violence and child abuse
• student health, including promoting physical activity and healthy eating, enabling access to healthservicesand supporting students with health conditions
• student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and building mental health capability, through delivery of school mental health reforms
• student engagement with school, including promoting attendance and providing targeted support for vulnerable and disengaged students.

Student Mental Health Branch (SMHB)

The Student Mental Health Branch leads the department's efforts to support student mental health and wellbeing, including positive mental health promotion and build mental health capability. The branch provides mental health policy advice, delivers programs, supports schools and works in collaboration with partners across the education system and community sector who contribute to and influence positive outcomes for students.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the department's response to the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health system in delivering on Recommendation 17 and coordinating the department's work in implementing whole of government mental health reform.
• Managing the Schools Mental Health Fund and Menu to support government schools to select programs, staff and other support from an online evidence-based menu that best meets their students' mental health and wellbeing needs.
• Delivering the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative which supports every government and low-fee non-government primary school to employ a Mental Health and Wellbeing Leader to implement a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing for students.

Mental Health in Primary Schools Unit

The Mental Health in Primary Schools Unit sits within the Student Mental Health Branch and is responsible for leading the design, development and delivery of the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative.

About the Role

This role provides an exciting opportunity for an individual to contribute to driving the ongoing development and implementation of the one of the department's landmark student mental health initiatives - the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative (MHiPS).

Experience and skills in policy and project management, understanding of government, stakeholder management and problem solving are crucial to be successful in this role.

The Senior Program Advisor will:

• be an integral part of a small, high-performing team working in a dynamic environment
• support the development and implementation of mental health policy for schools and implementation of the Mental Health in Primary Schools initiative
• work with stakeholders across the department and externally
• lead project and program management related to student mental health initiatives and projects and produce a range of written products, including presentations, reports, briefings and guidance for schools and
• lead contract management, governance arrangements, and data analysis and reporting.

The role may also be required to contribute to other priority projects across the wider branch and division as required.

Attributes

To be successful in this role, good written communication, relationship building, strong organisa tional skills, flexibility, adaptability and initiative are essential.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

Essential: Relevant tertiary qualification in education, social policy, health/mental health or related field.

A good understanding of VPS operations and processes is preferred.

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 Emily Walker, Manager Mental Health in Primary Schools via 0482 922 349 or [e-mail].

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 Thursday 05 November

Applications close Thursday 5 November 2026 at 11.59pm