Lead the quality assurance, impact and expansion of the Hands on Learning (HoL) program in schools in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne. For 24 years, this innovative education program has been proven to significantly increase wellbeing, attendance, foster social and emotional learning, and improve academic and vocational pathways. In this exciting role, your passion for supporting young people will drive HoL’s growth across the state. You’ll play a key role in ensuring that the young people who could benefit most have the opportunity to access a quality HoL program at their school.

54 reasons is Australia’s leading child rights organisation – no ordinary not-for-profit.

Proudly part of the Save the Children Australia Group and global movement, we’re here to make sure that everyone understands their rights. So that children and young people have their rights met and thrive, in all their diversity.

We champion the children, young people and families we work with. We are inspired by the curiosity and creativity of children and motivated by the love of those who care for them.

With the child’s voice at the centre, we provide quality services to children and their caregivers, advocating with them so that children develop, learn, and are connected, safe and confident. Our people are proudly local, reflective of the communities we serve – in every state and territory, and across regions, remote areas and capital cities.

Where you come in:

In this part-time, fixed term role (.6 or .8) with flexibility in days starting mid-January 2023 through to mid-December 2024, with possible extension based on results and funding) you’ll drive the implementation support and growth of the HoL program in the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne. The in-school wellbeing focused program uses a variety of practical projects to engage and connect students to their education and with their school and community. You’ll liaise directly with schools, and you’ll act as mentor to the HoL artisan-teaching staff who work with a small group of students to complete significant projects, such as (but not limited to) construction, building, landscaping, and hospitality. As part of our HoL School Support team, you’ll report to our Program Development Manager.

The main focus of your work will be visiting current and prospective partner schools. Location for the position has some flexibility, though our preference is for a home office base to allow for accessibility to partner schools located in the north and western areas of Melbourne (see this map for a list of our current partner schools). Option to work from the Save the Children office in Carlton when not visiting schools.

You will make an impact by:

• Building and maintaining relationships with school leadership and a wide range of stakeholders, including community and other organisations
• Delivering professional development to HoL artisan-teachers and teams and offering value add ‘hands-on skills’ aligned with the practical expectations of the program
• Supporting the quality assurance of HoL implementations
• Overseeing the expansion of HoL into partner schools within this area

Does this sound like you?

You’re a self-starter, with a ‘can do’ attitude and have a passion for making a difference in the education experience of young people. Your dynamic and engaging personality will see you easily connect and build relationships with a range of stakeholders including students, teaching staff and school leadership teams. This diverse role is ideal for people with practical talents to share and add value, motivate and inspire HoL artisan-teachers to achieve ambitious outcomes for the young people they support.

Selection criteria:

• An understanding of the wellbeing and education sector, with preferably first-hand experience of schools and the way they operate, including wellbeing practices and practical programs within schools.
• Experience working with people in a team leader or leadership role.
• Ability to offer a range of practical and creative skills to assist and inspire team projects.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present in front of groups and communicate confidently with HoL artisan-teachers, school leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, effectively and collaboratively.
• Organisational skills to manage the administrative and recording keeping components of the role, which requires computer literacy in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Working at 54 reasons is more than just a job.

We are a learning organisation that invests in the development and wellbeing of our people. Our workforce is 680+ people strong, and proudly diverse, whether in race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, cultures and beliefs.

We are creative, connected and accountable, bringing energy, guts and ideas to all we do to champion children in Australia and partner with families, communities and partners to bring about change.

Our people work from both home and office, with important moments held in-person to foster belonging and support professional development. Our leave provisions include personal, ceremonial and family violence leave as well as the ability to purchase additional leave.

Other benefits include:

• Generous salary plus full salary packaging benefits. Use this link to see how much this benefit could mean to you!
• 6 weeks annual leave
• Reimbursement for use of personal vehicle for work purposes and provision of hire and lease vehicles as appropriate and available
• Agile work environment including working from home
• Internal employment and development opportunities

For more information regarding the employee benefits of the Save the Children Australia group, please follow this link.

Sound interesting?

We’d love to hear from you. Submit your cover letter and CV, addressing the key selection criteria above and describing your suitability for the role (the cover letter should be no more than 2 pages in length), by clicking on one of the buttons in the ‘Apply’ section.

Applications Close: 4pm AEDT, Monday 13^th November 2023. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as they come in, so don’t delay in applying!

Position description – Hands on Learning School Support Manager

For more information about this position, please contact Rebecca Edwards, Program Development Manager, at [email protected]

We have tested our application process with diverse groups in mind, with the intent to ensure it’s straightforward and accessible for all to apply. Diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our culture and improve our ability to reach our most vulnerable client groups. But we also know there is no one-size fits-all when it comes to recruitment – so if we didn’t quite hit the mark for you, please let us know! We’re dedicated to ensuring 54 reasons is a workplace suitable for all people and can modify our processes to suit you – no matter your race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, sexuality, neurodiversity, culture and beliefs.

54 reasons is a child-safe organisation. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check, a Working with Children Check where necessary, and sign our Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct. We also support the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. You can read about the Scheme and our commitment to Safeguarding here.