Director of Catholic Identity & Indigenous Education Services – Catholic Education Diocese of Townsville

The Catholic Diocese of Townsville covers more than 435,000 km2 across North and North West Queensland. It spans an area from Proserpine in the south through to Ingham in the north and extends west to the Northern Territory border. The Diocese includes the major commercial centres of Townsville and Mount Isa and many rural and remote communities including Palm Island.

The Diocese is led by the Bishop of Townsville, Most Reverend Timothy Harris DD.

The Townsville Catholic Education Office (TCEO) operates under the direction of the Bishop of Townsville. TCEO is a service organisation supporting 29 Catholic schools and employing more than 2,400 staff throughout the Diocese who cater to the learning of more than  12,000 students.

The 29 schools are comprised of:

• Primary schools: 18
• Secondary colleges: 5 including 1 boarding college
• Prep to Year 12 schools: 5 including 1 boarding college
• Prep to Year 9 schools: 1

In addition there is responsibility for:

• Early Learning Centres:  6
• Kindergartens: 8

The TCEO is based in Townsville and employs more than 90 staff members.

Living in Townsville

Providing a laid back tropical lifestyle that is complemented by capital city comforts, no other Australian city boasts the resilience, diversity, lifestyle and economic potential that the Townsville North Queensland Region enjoys.

Known as the Second Capital of Queensland and with a population of approximately 190,000 people, Townsville offers a wonderful lifestyle coupled with strong economic prosperity. Townsville is a thriving precinct with access to a variety of world class education facilities, leading edge health care, affordable housing, spectacular events and entertainment, dining precincts and a wide range of outdoor recreation options.

Further Information

A range of additional information, including the strategic direction 2017-2021, can be viewed by visiting the TCEO website at  https://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/

Position Overview

Position Title: Director of Catholic Identity & Indigenous Education Services

Reports to:       Executive Director of Catholic Education

Position Context

A review was recently completed which focused upon how the Townsville Catholic Education Office (TCEO) could provide a greater level of support to schools and students.  One outcome has been a restructure of the Strategic Leadership Team and the sharper emphasis on Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education in this role.

Position Purpose

Lead the development and delivery of contemporary strategy and policy in the areas of Religious Education and Indigenous Education, enabling connection with the Church, ensuring the spirit of our Catholic culture and identity is at the heart of everything that we do, and promoting the ongoing development of Catholic Education.

Key Result Areas

• Actively participate as a member of the Strategic Leadership Team by providing expert and strategic input and leadership, particularly with regard to Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education support services to schools.
• Lead the Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education Directorate ensuring the integration of Catholicity, Indigenous perspectives, and associated initiatives across Diocesan schools and colleges, and the collaborative delivery of services across the other Directorates in TCE.
• Lead the collaborative development and setting of Religious and Indigenous Education strategy and Policy for TCE, ensuring the Church, Office and Schools/Colleges are central to the design and successful implementation of forward plans.
• Lead the regular review and analysis of school data to ensure TCE is achieving its Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education objectives and the overall strategic intent of TCE.
• Ensure the relationship between the Diocese Executive Team and the TCE Strategic Leadership Team is vibrant, contemporary and connected to the successful achievement of strategic objectives.
• Provide expert advice and assurance with respect to Catholic Identity and Indigenous Education delivery, risk mitigation and management, along with ensuring the organisation meets its legislative and compliance obligations for these functions.
• Lead the collaborative development of strategy and policy to create an environment that provides for school improvement and best practice for Catholic education throughout the Diocese.
• Lead the development of Religious Education curriculum and quality pedagogy through staff formation to drive the improvement of teaching and learning outcomes and to enable evangelisation to occur.

Team Structure

Reporting to the Executive Director, this position leads a team of approx. 10 people with direct reports being:

• Religious Education Curriculum and Professional Learning Adviser
• Religious Education Advisers (x3)
• Indigenous Education Project Officer
• Mulkadee Coordinator
• Administration Assistant

In conjunction with three Education Consultants, who each lead a Service Team, this Director will have some oversight of work delivered by the three Indigenous Education Advisors who work within these Service Teams.

Initial Priorities of the Role

• Review and further development of staff formation programs and activities.
• Continued research into the Enhancing Catholic School Identity project and monitoring its impact.
• Working with Principals to build closer connections and partnerships between the Parish and the School communities.
• Ensure appropriate implementation of religious education curriculum in the context of the new senior secondary changes.

Commencement

While the start date is negotiable, it is anticipated the successful applicant will be able to commence in this role for the start of the 2019 school year.

Location and Travel

The TCEO office is located at 2 Gardenia Avenue, Kirwan, which is a suburb of Townsville. While the role is based in the TCEO, travel throughout the Diocese and the State should be anticipated.

Conditions of Employment

• The remuneration package reflects the seniority of the appointment and will be discussed as we step through the process.
• The initial contract period is for five (5) years subject to satisfactory performance, with further contract periods subject to an appraisal according to policy.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be negotiated with the successful applicant.
• The Working with Children (Risk Management & Screening) Act 2000 requires the preferred applicant to be subject to “working with children check” as part of the employment screening process. Further details regarding this check may be obtained at https://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au
• Applicants will require a current “C” Class Driver’s Licence.

Selection Criteria

The Executive Director invites expressions of interest from people who align with the following expectations:

• A genuine, deeply embedded Catholic faith and an active member of a Catholic Eucharistic Community;
• A career Catholic education with senior leadership experience and an ability to operate at a System level;
• Expertise in Catholic theology, with particular interest in the contribution of contemporary pedagogical approaches and the successful implementation of Religious Education Curriculum;
• An understanding of and a commitment to Indigenous Education;
• The interpersonal and relational skills to work collaboratively as part of an executive team with matrix responsibilities to achieve shared outcomes;
• Masters qualifications, ideally in Theology; combined with a track record of ongoing personal and professional learning.

Are You Interested in this Opportunity?

If you are interested in this role, then simply complete the ‘Express Your Interest’ panel on this page; or email us at jobs@traksearch.com stating your interest and nominating ref number TS1394. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

We do NOT ask you to address the selection criteria or provide an application document – just complete the panel on this page or send a one-line email to Trak Search to indicate your interest in ‘Townsville Director CI&IES TS1394’; and providing your brief resume and contact telephone number.

Any questions can be directed to either (a) our Director John Chesher by telephone (0417 068 220) or (b) email our office via jobs@traksearch.com.

The timeline and details for this project are outlined below. All emails and applications are acknowledged within 48 hours.

The Selection Process

Key dates are as follows:

Trak Search has been instructed to provide a process that is welcoming for people interested in this role. Significant aspects include:

• Throughout the process, Trak Search is available for confidential discussions and to provide information to allow you to explore this opportunity and determine your interest in the role.
• A range of additional information will be provided as we progress through this process.
• At the outset you will not be required to: complete an application form; provide a lengthy document to address the selection criteria; or supply referee details. However, you will be invited to supply us with additional information (verbally and in writing) as you progress through the process.
• A late application could be accepted, providing it does not adversely impact other applications or the schedule. Please be aware however that any application received after close of business on the date noted above is more likely to be returned to you.
• At the appropriate time (refer above) we will seek written consent to speak with referees – listing referees on your resume does not signify consent.
• We expect to complete one work-related reference and a faith-related reference (with a Catholic Priest) prior to shortlisting, with additional references completed later in the process.  You should always expect that prior to reaching the final stage of the project, we will ask to speak with at least one person who has: directly managed you; recently; and for a significant time period;
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Executive Director or her nominee unless you instruct Trak Search otherwise.

You are also encouraged to view our Collection Statement which provides details on the manner in which we collect and use information obtained from you during your engagement with Trak Search.