Director: Student Wellbeing & Diversity – Catholic Education, Diocese of Cairns, NQ

Introduction

The Catholic Education Community – Diocese of Cairns, is a partnership between Catholic Education Services and twenty-nine schools. There are nineteen primary schools, one Prep to Year 12 College, and six secondary Colleges. The 27^th school is a Special Assistance School with campuses in Cairns and Cooktown, catering for disengaged young people in Years 7-12. Two new schools opened in 2016 in Weipa (P-6) and Mt Peter (P-12).

The Vision of the Catholic Education Community is ‘to offer quality Catholic education so that each person may know and come to identify more fully with the living Spirit of Christ’. In seeking fulfillment of our Vision, we are inspired to:

• Be people of Mission and Witness inspired by what is best for all students in our schools
• Embrace the gifts and talents of all through commitment to Subsidiarity and Co-responsibility
• Be courageous – encountering possibilities and engaging in Dialogue to achieve excellence in all we do
• Move forward together – strengthening relationships between Families, Staff, School & System leaders, Clergy and the Diocese
• Be accountable for student learning through continuous improvement.

Leadership and strategic management of the system of schools is the responsibility of the Executive Director of Catholic Education. Through a team of professionals, the Executive Director leads and facilitates a number of significant and particular delegations which enable the achievement of the Strategic Directions:

• Lived and celebrated Catholic identity
• Optimal learning and wellbeing for all students
• Access and stewardship of quality Catholic education
• Prophetic and creative leadership.

Further Information

Additional information, including ‘Strategic Directions 2016 – 2019’, can be viewed by visiting the Catholic Education Diocese of Cairns website located at https://www.cns.catholic.edu.au.

Position Overview

Position Title: Director: Student Wellbeing and Diversity

Reports to:       Deputy Executive Director

Position Purpose

The Vision of the Catholic Education Community is ‘to offer quality Catholic education so that each person may know and come to identify more fully with the living Spirit of Christ’ inspires and guides the professional roles of service and ministry to students, families and schools within a spirit of subsidiarity and co-responsibility.

In this context, the Director: Wellbeing and Diversity:

• Co-ordinates the implementation of Diocesan wide best practice and efficient approaches to Social Emotional Learning (SEL), wellbeing, student services and schoolwide positive behaviour practices.
• Ensures a consistent model of service delivery, communication, and collaboration of resources to schools which are research and data driven.
• Provides a targeted collection of data that will inform current school systems and practices that is succinct, aligned and informed through the filters of the different teams in the directorate
• Uses evidence based practice to incorporate Social Emotional Learning programs through the shared experiences of student services, and student wellbeing. For example, aligning national and international best practice in formulating inclusive education practices therefore ensuring a focused celebration and promotion of inclusivity practices across the Diocese and a focus on prevention and early intervention facilitated through more targeted research and professional development
• Actively strengthens the facilitating partnerships with government agencies and community organisations
• Supports the parent to school partnership particularly when working with students with diverse needs
• Enables a co‐ordinated approach to universal design in schools that covers the continuum of diversity.

Core Accountabilities

• Provides Leadership and Direction in the area of Student Wellbeing and Diversity
• Energises and supports CES staff and school leaders in ensuring an understanding and the implementation of appropriate strategies and planning for diversity and that the wellbeing of all students is integrated into planning.
• Engages Leaders in inclusive, innovative and futures directed educational practice grounded in research.
• Manage the Physical Resources of Wellbeing and Diversity in Student Support Service Team
• Establish, Monitor and Improve Wellbeing and Diversity Systems and Services
• Maintain Effective Communication & relationships with Service Partners

Shared Accountabilities

• Ensure that a co‐ordinated approach to universal design is adopted across the Cairns Catholic Education Community that covers the continuum of diversity.
• Actively participating in the CES Strategic Leadership Team
  • Engaging and contributing to regular meetings of the Strategic Leadership Team and completing delegated tasks
  • Contributing through shared leadership to the development and implementation of Strategic Directions across the entire Catholic Education Community – Diocese of Cairns
• Ensures that there is collaboration within the teams in the Directorate but also that teams within the Directorate of Wellbeing and Diversity have formal collaboration across other CES teams, especially School Support Teams.

Initial Priorities

• Develop collaborative and strategic relationships with the other Directors and teams in Formation, Innovation and Policy Services as well as the Directors and teams of School Support Services.
• In partnership with the senior role holders in Student Support Services, and with Formation, Innovation and Policy Services; conduct a light touch internal review of the services and activities undertaken by Student Support Services, and their responsiveness to the needs of School Leadership Teams and students.

Key Relationships

The position reports to the Deputy Executive Director. The position also has a collegial relationship with the Executive Director, The Chief Financial and Operating Officer, and The Vicar for Education.

The position is a member of the Strategic Leadership Team of Catholic Education Services.

The position will also from time to time be a member of various Diocesan committees, QLD Directors Forum committees, National committees and represent the Diocese at QCEC level.

An organisation chart will be provided at a later stage in this recruitment process.

Reason for Vacancy

This is a newly created role which has resulted from a restructuring of the leadership team to better support the Diocesan Vision “To offer quality Catholic education so that each person may know and come to identify more fully with the living Spirit of Christ.”

Commencement

Negotiable, however ideally for the start of the 2018 school year.

Location and travel

The main office for Catholic Education Services is located at 130 Lake St (Cnr Minnie St), Cairns Qld. The nature of this role will require regular travel.

Conditions of Employment

• This is an executive role and remuneration will be discussed as we move through this process.
• Five year contract with annual review. The precise nature and range of duties will similarly evolve and develop during the course of the contract and be determined in consultation with the Executive Director and Deputy Executive Director.
• Reasonable relocation assistance (if required) will be available.
• The position is a fulltime leadership position, which involves extended hours, evening meetings, overnight absence and interstate travel ranging over seven days.
• A non-smoking policy is effective in Catholic Education Services buildings, offices, and motor vehicles.
• 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 by accessing the web site of the Public Safety Business Agency at the following internet address:  bluecard.qld.gov.au

Please Note: It is an offence for a disqualified person to sign a blue card application. Penalties of up to five years imprisonment or a fine of up to $50,000 may apply

• Confirmation of employment is conditional upon the preferred applicant being issued with a suitability card from the Public Safety Business Agency.

Mandatory Qualifications and Requirements

• A strong demonstrated commitment to the objectives, vision and ethos of Catholic Education.
• Meets the faith criteria for senior leadership positions within Catholic Education
• Significant leadership experience as a member of a School or System Leadership Team
• Evidence of participation, innovation and research in the area of student wellbeing and diversity.
• Relevant Degree level and/or Post Graduate qualification in a discipline related to student wellbeing and diversity

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 TS1370. Whichever you choose, please provide a brief resume and contact telephone number.

At this stage 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 ‘Director Student Wellbeing & Diversity TS1370’; 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 to you 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 contact one work-related referee and a Priest referee 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
• All information provided to Trak Search will be made available prior to shortlisting, in confidence, to the Executive Director or Deputy 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.