Jess Davis
Sydney,NSW
Summary
A results-driven senior leader with a distinguished track record in Commonwealth project management, policy development, and community engagement, specializing in early childhood education, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives. Proven expertise in designing and delivering large-scale national programs that drive systemic change and empower communities. A strategic and influential leader in high-level advocacy, stakeholder engagement, and collective impact, dedicated to advancing outcomes for First Nations children and families through innovative, community-led solutions. Results-oriented individual with a passion for continuous learning and innovation. Known for leveraging analytical thinking and creativity to solve problems and deliver high-impact solutions in fast-paced environments.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
National Director, SNAICC Community Partners Team
SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children
11.2023 - Current
- Company Overview: SNAICC is the national non-government peak body representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
- Provide visionary leadership in designing and executing national programs, including the First Nations Playgroup Pilot Program, Improving Multidisciplinary Responses (IMR), Child Care Fund Restricted Expansion (CCCFR-E), and the Connected Beginnings Program across more than 50 sites nationwide
- Spearheaded a strategic initiative that secured the Australian Government's $81.8 million commitment to expand the Connected Beginnings program to 50 sites by 2025, demonstrating advanced negotiation and high-level advocacy skills
- Represent SNAICC on national and international stages, including presenting transformative insights on School-Community Engagement at the 2024 G20 Summit in Brazil
- Cultivate strategic relationships with government bodies, peak organizations, ECEC regulatory authorities, and Aboriginal-led organisations, ensuring these partnerships uphold culturally safe practices and strict policy compliance
- Oversee multi-million-dollar financial management, budget allocation, and contract compliance to support sustainable program growth and impactful community outcomes
- Drive comprehensive advocacy efforts to transition funding to Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), in alignment with Priority Reform 2 under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap
- Project managed the Connected Beginnings National Gathering (November 2024, Adelaide), a Commonwealth-funded national conference for 300 stakeholders, seamlessly coordinating high-impact discussions with peak bodies and policymakers to advance early childhood, maternal health, and family support services
- Demonstrate national leadership in early childhood by pioneering innovative program development and advocacy across remote, rural, and urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- Establish culturally safe governance frameworks that empower Aboriginal-led organizations, ensuring community-driven decision-making and accountability
- Balance fiscal responsibility with transformative program delivery through meticulous financial and contract management of multi-million-dollar project budgets
- Develop and implement integrated communication and data strategies to continuously evaluate program effectiveness and advocacy efforts, ensuring transparent reporting and evidence-based decision-making for ongoing program improvement
- Develop and implement robust data capturing systems to continuously assess program performance, while building and nurturing highly passionate and effective teams committed to innovation and excellence
- Lead end-to-end project start-up, including strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, governance framework development, and operational implementation to ensure strong foundations for success
- SNAICC is the national non-government peak body representing the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
Senior Project Advisor CCCFR
SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children
04.2022 - 11.2023
- Spearheaded the expansion of the Connected Beginnings Program, increasing its reach and impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families
- Developed policy frameworks and training resources that empowered service providers to adopt community-led governance structures
- Established and led Communities of Practice (CoP), fostering collaboration between early childhood services, schools, and health providers
- Successfully advocated for culturally responsive education strategies, presenting at the Thrive by Five National Disability Symposium
Course Coordinator Special Projects ABOR5250
The University of Notre Dame Australia – Broome Campus
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Course Coordinator standard marking, tutorials and other activities
Priority Support Facilitator – National Projects
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
12.2021 - 12.2022
- Managed the CCCFR Quality and Safety Project, ensuring regulatory compliance and service improvement across multiple sites
- Provided technical support and professional development to early childhood services, focusing on quality outcomes and governance
Senior Officer, Quality and Regulatory Support
ACECQA
01.2021 - 12.2021
Bookkeeper
Roberts Accounting
01.2019 - 12.2021
Senior Officer, Excellent Team
ACECQA, Educational Leadership Group
01.2017 - 12.2019
Senior Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
Department Of Education, NT
Katherine, Australia
01.2012 - 12.2017
Preschool Teacher
Department of Education, NT
Katherine, Australia
01.2011 - 12.2012
Inclusion support officer
Harold Wheen Preschool
St Clair, Australia
01.2009 - 12.2010
Welfare Worker
Axia Solutions
Parramatta, Australia
01.2009 - 12.2010
Education
Graduate Certificate - Aboriginal Studies
Notre Dame
Broome01.2021
Master of Teaching - Early Childhood
University of Western Sydney
01.2010
Bachelor of Early Childhood studies - child and family
University of Western Sydney
01.2009
Diploma of Children Services -
Bedford College
01.2007
Skills
- Strategic project management
- Leadership
- Collective impact
- Place-based approaches
- Stakeholder engagement
- Cultural governance
- Policy development
- Advocacy
- Financial management
- Compliance
- High-level communication
- Report writing
Professional Development
- Project Management, Filtered - Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority, 12/31/21
- Practitioner Professional Learning Program, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, 12/31/16
- Preparation for School Leadership Program, Charles Darwin University, Centre for School Leadership and Development, 12/31/21
- Authorised Officer Training, ACECQA, 12/31/17
- Remote Indigenous Professional Development (RIPD), Katherine Agency Workshop, 12/31/16
- Special Measures Training Module, Northern Territory Government, 12/31/16
- Walker learning Approach, Department of Education and Children’s Services, 12/31/12
Websites
Timeline
National Director, SNAICC Community Partners Team
SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children
11.2023 - Current
Senior Project Advisor CCCFR
SNAICC – National Voice for Our Children
04.2022 - 11.2023
Course Coordinator Special Projects ABOR5250
The University of Notre Dame Australia – Broome Campus
01.2022 - 01.2023
Priority Support Facilitator – National Projects
Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
12.2021 - 12.2022
Senior Officer, Quality and Regulatory Support
ACECQA
01.2021 - 12.2021
Bookkeeper
Roberts Accounting
01.2019 - 12.2021
Senior Officer, Excellent Team
ACECQA, Educational Leadership Group
01.2017 - 12.2019
Senior Early Childhood Educator (ECE)
Department Of Education, NT
01.2012 - 12.2017
Preschool Teacher
Department of Education, NT
01.2011 - 12.2012
Inclusion support officer
Harold Wheen Preschool
01.2009 - 12.2010
Welfare Worker
Axia Solutions
01.2009 - 12.2010
Graduate Certificate - Aboriginal Studies
Notre Dame
Master of Teaching - Early Childhood
University of Western Sydney
Bachelor of Early Childhood studies - child and family
University of Western Sydney
Diploma of Children Services -
Bedford College
Similar Profiles
Shelly HaseldineShelly Haseldine
Project Officer, Community Partner at SNAICC - National Voice for ChildrenProject Officer, Community Partner at SNAICC - National Voice for Children
Priya HemphillPriya Hemphill
Touring Actor at The National Theater for ChildrenTouring Actor at The National Theater for Children
Stephanie ChambersStephanie Chambers
Residential Counselor at The National Center For Children and FamiliesResidential Counselor at The National Center For Children and Families
Kieran HostyKieran Hosty
Senior Archaeologist and Heritage Advisor at Hosty Heritage and ArchaeologySenior Archaeologist and Heritage Advisor at Hosty Heritage and Archaeology
Tom RooneyTom Rooney
Data Analyst Intern at CoreDataData Analyst Intern at CoreData