Deputy Secretary, Community Operations and Practice Leadership

• Responsible for high quality community services delivery, dedicated to promoting a culture of learning and practice excellence
• Known for working in strong and effective partnerships with internal and external leaders
• Demonstrated experience in leading and motivating a large workforce to ensure a client-centred culture and ensuring the delivery of quality state-wide services

 
The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) is responsible for child protection, prevention of family violence, housing, disability, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQ+ equality, veterans, and the offices for Women and Youth.
As a key portfolio within the Department, the Deputy Secretary, Community Operations and Practice Leadership (COPL) is responsible for delivery, stewarding and overseeing Victorian community services, through the work of almost 5,000 Victorian staff and in partnership with funded agencies.
This is a key period of transformation for the Department as it seeks to strengthen evidence-based practices and ensure it meets the needs of the community (upholding safeguards and rights of at-risk Victorians).
Operating through four geographic divisions, 17 DFFH Areas and state-wide services, COPL directly delivers Child Protection, housing, emergency management, disability and other services and stewards the broader funded community services sector (non-government funded agencies). This includes contract managing and implementing operational policy and funding frameworks across child and family services, family violence and sexual assault services, homelessness, and community settings.
Reporting to the Secretary DFFH, the Deputy Secretary, COPL will need to be a champion of community services, dedicated to promoting a culture of learning and practice excellence. The role works with the Department’s program areas, the Executive Board, and Ministers in delivering agreed priorities. With an unwavering focus on client and system outcomes, the Deputy Secretary manages significant risk and complexity across operational delivery teams across Victoria.   Importantly, the position will work with community to ensure services are culturally safe, and that Aboriginal self-determination is at the heart of all Victorian community services.
To be successful in this role, you will possess deep experience in the leadership of complex and multidisciplinary public and social services, including operational service delivery. Known for working in strong and effective partnerships with internal and external leaders, you lead operations and work with policy and program areas to drive innovation and implementation of service development and reform, designed to meet the changing needs of clients in a practical and responsive way and which increases the social and economic participation of vulnerable client groups.
You will have demonstrated experience in leading and motivating a large workforce to ensure a client-centred culture and ensuring the delivery of quality state-wide services.
Success requires you having a reputation for person-centred public service delivery with political and environmental awareness, system-level thinking, and a capacity-building mindset. Empowering communication skills are integral, coupled with a strong propensity for innovation to support service development and reform designed to meet the changing needs of clients in a responsive way.
A relevant tertiary qualification in a human services related discipline, public sector management, public administration, and/or human/community services administration is required.
For more information about DFFH, visit: www.dffh.vic.gov.au/
Applications close: Monday, 6 June 2022
To apply – please click on ‘APPLY NOW’ and using reference DFHdes0522, address your cover letter and resume to Kate Wheeler or Sandra Kerr of Fisher Leadership, or call 1300 347 437 for further information.