Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Sam Nelson

Melbourne,VIC

Summary

Dynamic Snr Policy Advisor with a proven track record at The Department of Education, excelling in policy development and stakeholder engagement. Successfully managed multi-million dollar programs, enhancing educational outcomes for children in Out of Home Care. Adept at research analysis and fostering collaborative partnerships to drive impactful initiatives.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
Melbourne, VIC
09.2022 - Current
  • Company Overview: The Engaging Students at Risk Branch (ESARB), Out of Home Care Policy Unit manages the policy development and implementation for children and young people in Out of Home Care at school. ESARB provides policy and operational supports for LOOKOUT Education Support Centres which are designed to boost the capability of early childhood services, schools, carers, child protection practitioners and out-of-home care services to improve educational outcomes for children and young people living in out-of-home care.
  • Undertake research, analysis and reporting to develop policy positions and new programs to support children and young people who are in Out of Home Care while at school
  • Manage programs and contracts with external stakeholders
  • Manage and coordinate reporting across the division to the Commission for Children and Young People’s (CCYP) inquiry 'Let us Learn'.
  • Provide secretariat support for cross portfolio working groups with relation to the CCYP inquiry
  • Provide advice and feedback to Senior Managers and Executives in relation to policy and implementation approaches for programs to support children and young people in OOHC while at school
  • Overseeing funding and policy arrangements
  • Managing relationships with peak bodies and other key stakeholders
  • Coordination and quality assurance of internal and external reporting
  • Revising program guidelines in line with policy and regulatory changes and Ministerial expectations
  • Linking strategic policy to operational outcomes
  • Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and develop strategies for implementing policy in a partnership approach
  • Undertake consultations with internal and external stakeholders
  • Writing briefs and correspondence
  • Creating, managing and maintaining reporting tools for the CCYP inquiry response
  • Manage contracts, procurement and program evaluation
  • Contribute to working groups and collaborate with internal stakeholders
  • The Engaging Students at Risk Branch (ESARB), Out of Home Care Policy Unit manages the policy development and implementation for children and young people in Out of Home Care at school. ESARB provides policy and operational supports for LOOKOUT Education Support Centres which are designed to boost the capability of early childhood services, schools, carers, child protection practitioners and out-of-home care services to improve educational outcomes for children and young people living in out-of-home care.
  • Conducted comprehensive policy research, development, and implementation to enhance organizational strategies.
  • Managed contracts and funding efficiently, ensuring alignment with governance standards.
  • Provided secretariat support to streamline policy processes and enhance governance effectiveness.
  • Facilitated comprehensive collaboration across divisions and departments in response to the 'Let Us Learn' inquiry by the Commission for Children and Young People.

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
Melbourne, VIC
04.2022 - Current
  • Company Overview: The Early Years Management and Partnership unit is responsible for the policy and program management of the Early Years Management and Partnerships program. The unit provides governance, support and policy direction for community run early years kindergarten services and partnerships between the Department of Education and community led kindergartens.
  • Undertake research, analysis and reporting
  • Create engaging messaging and communication tools
  • Manage contracts and relationships with early years education partners
  • Develop and implement systems to support policy implementation
  • Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and develop strategies for implementing policy in a partnership approach
  • Undertake consultations with internal and external stakeholders
  • Writing briefs and correspondence
  • Managing reporting tools for Early Years providers
  • Overseeing funding and policy arrangements
  • Managing relationships with peak bodies and other key stakeholders
  • Coordination and quality assurance of internal and external reporting
  • Revising program guidelines in line with policy and regulatory changes and Ministerial expectations
  • Linking strategic policy to operational outcomes
  • The Early Years Management and Partnership unit is responsible for the policy and program management of the Early Years Management and Partnerships program. The unit provides governance, support and policy direction for community run early years kindergarten services and partnerships between the Department of Education and community led kindergartens.

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
01.2021 - 04.2022
  • Company Overview: The Kindergarten Reform and Implementation Division is responsible for the development and implementation of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform. The reform will provide funded access to early education for all Three-Year-Old children to attend kindergarten. The reform is a first in Australia and will cost almost $5 billion dollars.
  • Undertake research, analysis and reporting
  • Create engaging messaging and communication tools
  • Develop and execute a project plan for implementation
  • Develop and implement systems to support policy implementation
  • Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders and develop strategies for implementing policy in a partnership approach
  • Undertake consultations with internal and external stakeholders
  • Strategy development and planning for team
  • Stakeholder engagement and relationship management
  • Produce high quality briefs, correspondence, reports and communication tools
  • The Kindergarten Reform and Implementation Division is responsible for the development and implementation of the Three-Year-Old Kindergarten reform. The reform will provide funded access to early education for all Three-Year-Old children to attend kindergarten. The reform is a first in Australia and will cost almost $5 billion dollars.

Manager – Pick My Project

The Department of Premier and Cabinet
07.2019 - 12.2020
  • Company Overview: Multicultural Affairs supports the Victorian Government to promote its multicultural vision and priorities. They work to foster an inclusive, engaged and harmonious multicultural community in Victoria.
  • Manage a team of five staff members to achieve Pick My Project goals
  • Manage and close out Pick My Project, a $30 million dollar grant initiative to ensure communities have a say in where grant money is spent and which projects they would like delivered
  • Implement processes, project plans, reporting and monitoring tools for the Pick My Project grant fund
  • Develop strong relationships with community stakeholders
  • Deliver information workshops to community members regarding grant applications
  • Oversee grant approvals
  • Manage internal and external stakeholder relationships
  • Develop risk management and mitigation strategies for the program
  • Provide advice to Director of Multicultural Affairs regarding grant funding
  • Lead team to successfully deliver and close the project
  • Ensure team members are supported and mentored to grow in their roles and develop confidence in their ability
  • Produce good quality briefs, correspondence, reports and communication tools
  • Multicultural Affairs supports the Victorian Government to promote its multicultural vision and priorities. They work to foster an inclusive, engaged and harmonious multicultural community in Victoria.

Project Officer

The Department of Justice and Community Safety
02.2017 - 06.2019
  • Company Overview: The department manages the development and implementation of a range of laws, regulation, and policy in areas across the portfolio (such as in gaming, racing and emergency management) and ensures that all elements of the justice and regulation system are working efficiently and effectively.
  • Manage end to end projects for Ministerial Services
  • Chair working groups and steering committees
  • Manage stakeholder relationships
  • Prepare briefs, correspondence, and submissions for The Office of The Secretary
  • Deliver information workshops and training to staff members for projects where required
  • Develop concept plans, project plans and risk management plans
  • Provide advice to Director of Multicultural Affairs regarding grant funding
  • The department manages the development and implementation of a range of laws, regulation, and policy in areas across the portfolio (such as in gaming, racing and emergency management) and ensures that all elements of the justice and regulation system are working efficiently and effectively.

Program Coordinator, Case Manager, Social Worker – Family Services

Anglicare
Melbourne, Australia
07.2009 - 12.2016
  • Company Overview: Anglicare is a highly regarded not-for-profit agency that through a range of services works towards strengthening families and communities to protect and nurture. Anglicare operates family service programs with the aim of building capacity of families and young people.
  • Case Manage adoption and permanent care case loads
  • Provide counselling and support to new adoptive and permanent care carers
  • Deliver training to prospective adoptive and permanent carers and parents
  • Write reports and present to panels to support carers applications
  • Write extensive court reports and attend court hearings and provide key evidence and information in relation to child protection matters
  • Development of a new innovative young parent’s support program, including program research, design, and implementation
  • Building and maintaining a strong partnership with the local City Council, local youth centre and other key stakeholders
  • Managing program budget, providing monthly reports, ensuring all KPI’s were being met and writing client case notes where required
  • Building strong relationships with key stakeholders
  • Attending network meetings
  • Grant application preparation and writing
  • Writing detailed analytical adoption reports, presenting families to adoption and permanent care panel
  • Working with child protection to ensure positive outcomes for case managed children and families
  • Anglicare is a highly regarded not-for-profit agency that through a range of services works towards strengthening families and communities to protect and nurture. Anglicare operates family service programs with the aim of building capacity of families and young people.

Skills

  • Policy development
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Program management
  • Research analysis
  • Contract management
  • Data reporting

Timeline

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
09.2022 - Current

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
04.2022 - Current

Snr Policy Advisor

The Department of Education
01.2021 - 04.2022

Manager – Pick My Project

The Department of Premier and Cabinet
07.2019 - 12.2020

Project Officer

The Department of Justice and Community Safety
02.2017 - 06.2019

Program Coordinator, Case Manager, Social Worker – Family Services

Anglicare
07.2009 - 12.2016

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Sam Nelson