Little Scientists is not-for-profit national initiative supported by the Australian Government through the Department of Education. Little Scientists’ mission is to champion inquiry-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education for all children aged 0-8 years across Australia. We do this by training educators in early STEM teaching skills and knowledge at our evidence-based STEM workshops nationwide.

Little Scientists is proud to be Australia’s leading provider of early STEM professional development to the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector. Through our work, we also advocate for the importance of early STEM education with decision-makers across the ECEC sector as well as state, territory, and federal governments.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This is a unique opportunity for an experienced early childhood or education professional who enjoys contributing to strategic communications, while working directly with educators to strengthen their teaching capability.

Reporting to the Project Director, this role combines two complementary areas of responsibility:

1. Strategic projects & written communications. (80% of the role)
2. Professional development workshop facilitation in-person and online. (20% of the role)

A significant part of this role involves developing high-quality written work, e.g. grant applications, funding proposals, reports, accreditation submissions, educator resources, workshop content, partnership materials, and stakeholder communications. We are looking for someone who can take a brief, undertake research, and produce high-quality first drafts.

This role would suit an experienced educator, educational leader, teacher, consultant, manager, or sector professional who enjoys strategic thinking, written communication, professional learning, and making a meaningful contribution to the ECEC sector.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Research, identify, and coordinate grants and strategic development opportunities across the ECEC and STEM sectors.
• Develop high-quality written outputs including grant applications, funding proposals, reports, briefing papers, accreditation submissions, and stakeholder communications.
• Research, analyse, and synthesise information from multiple sources to develop high-quality documents, recommendations, and resources.
• Prepare written materials that support partnership development, advocacy activities, and stakeholder engagement.

In a trainer capacity:

• Deliver STEM professional development workshops online (as required) and in-person (approximately 15 per year) for early childhood educators.
• Contribute to the ongoing review, improvement, and development of Little Scientists' professional development program.
• Develop professional learning content, workshop materials, and educator resources.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Qualification and/or substantial professional experience in education, ideally early childhood education.
• Strong understanding of contemporary early childhood education practice, pedagogy, and policy.
• Excellent written communication skills, with the ability to independently develop clear, persuasive, and well-structured written communications.
• Demonstrated ability to take a brief, conduct research, synthesise information, and independently develop high-quality first drafts.
• Excellent organisation and task management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Strong digital literacy and the ability to quickly learn new platforms, systems, and technologies.
• Engaging, warm, and confident verbal communicator and facilitator.
• Ongoing unrestricted working rights in Australia.
• Must be Sydney-based, hold a current driver's licence, and have access to a car.

BONUS SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Experience developing grant applications, funding proposals, government submissions, accreditation applications, strategic reports, or similar documents.
• Experience developing professional learning content, training resources, or educational materials.
• Experience presenting workshops, conference sessions, or professional learning events.

WHAT'S ON OFFER

• Two-day-per-week role (0.4 FTE) with flexible, family-friendly working conditions.
• Salary of $90,000 pro rata for 0.4 FTE (equating to $36,000 per annum plus superannuation) and optional salary packaging.
• Workshop delivery can either form part of the agreed 0.4 FTE workload or, by agreement, be remunerated separately at $550 per 3.5-hour workshop.
• The chance to influence early STEM education nationally through both direct educator engagement and sector-wide initiatives.
• Hybrid work arrangements with a boutique office located in the heart of Sydney CBD (with glimpses of the Sydney Harbour Bridge!).
• Opportunities for domestic travel and professional development.
• Fixed-term contract concluding 30 June 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to future government funding arrangements.

ABOUT THE TEAM

We are a small, high-performing, and supportive team. We are passionate about increasing equitable access to high-quality early STEM education, the potential of our work to shape Australia’s future, and supporting Australia’s hard-working early childhood educators.

We bring our whole selves to work and balance hard work with taking the time to connect — there’s never a bad time to chat movies, reality TV, and weekend adventures!

MORE INFO

For more information about the role, please contact Little Scientists’ Project Director Emma McGarrity: [email protected], using the subject line: Strategic Projects & Training Specialist via EthicalJobs.
Please note that interviews will commence in early August.