Head of Learning and Wellbeing

About Children's Ground

Children’s Ground is a First Nations organisation. The Children’s Ground Approach is designed and delivered through the leadership of First Nations people. We are committed to systems change to ensure dignity, justice and equity for all children and families. Our work focuses on national reform as well as evidencing a new way of working.

The Children’s Ground Approach is a whole of community, whole of life approach. We privilege First Nations knowledge systems and practice. Over the course of a generation, led by local expertise, we create and deliver an integrated system that is centred on learning, development and wellbeing that responds to the child and their family through the key transition points from pre-birth to young adulthood.

Our approach recognises the cultural, social, and economic strength of our communities. We build on this over a generation to ensure a future for our children and grandchildren that gives them freedom, opportunity and rights to their culture and identity.

Children’s Ground operates in Central Australia and across the Top End, with support provided by a Melbourne-based Shared Services team.

About the role

The Head of Learning and Wellbeing – Top End will lead 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. Frequent 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 CG Top End
• Community Development and Cultural Respect Foster strong 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 culture 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.
• 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.

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