Independent Panel for School Dispute Resolution

Expression of interest
Expressions of interest are now open for the Chair, Deputy Chair and Panel Members for
the Independent Panel for School Dispute Resolution (Independent Panel).
About the Independent Panel
The Victorian Government is building the
Education State, where every Victorian
has an equal right to the knowledge and
skills needed to shape their lives. To
ensure students remain engaged in
learning and parents remain engaged in
school communities, the Victorian
Government is establishing a new
Independent Panel for School Dispute
Resolution (the Independent Panel).
The Independent Panel will provide
alternative dispute resolution (ADR) approaches (e.g. conciliation) that allow people to be
heard through a simple, fair and timely process focused on resolution.
For more information about the Independent Panel see:
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/department/Pages/independentunit.aspx
About the Expression of Interest (EOI)
Expressions of Interest are invited from candidates to join the Independent Panel. All
candidates must have extensive experience at a senior level, with demonstrated personal
attributes of integrity and empathy, and be highly trusted and respected in their field.
Potential candidates should provide a cover-letter and CV. The cover-letter must indicate:
The role being applied for
Responses to each key selection criteria for the role.
See the EOI template (Attachment A) for further information.
These roles will be remunerated according to the Victorian Governments
Appointment_and_Remuneration_Guidelines, following Group B, Band 1 remuneration
schedules.
Submissions must be received by midnight, Sunday 20 November 2016 to:
gilbert.jed.x@edumail.vic.gov.au
For further information you may contact Jed Gilbert, Project Manager, at the Victorian
Department of Education and Training:
Phone: (03) 9637 3845
Email: gilbert.jed.x@edumail.vic.gov.au

About the Chair and Deputy Chair roles

A Chair and Deputy Chair are sought. The Chair is a sessional role, estimated to be 2-3
days per week. The Deputy Chair is a sessional role, as required.
The successful candidates will have:

Exceptional skills in alternative dispute resolution (e.g. conciliation, mediation, and

making recommendations, etc.);
Exceptional skills in complaints management (ideally including the triage of
complaints, and the analysis and reporting of data);
Exceptional stakeholder engagement and management skills;
Experience in managing a small organisation, including people and financial
management;
Solid knowledge of procedural fairness and natural justice;
Knowledge of school education governance and pedagogy (preferable); and
Experience in public speaking and/or providing professional learning (preferable).

About the Panel Member with expertise in school education role

Panel Members with expertise in school education are sought. These will be sessional
roles, as required.
The successful candidates will have:

Deep and substantial knowledge of school education (such as a former principal or

leading teacher); and
Demonstrated experience in parent and student engagement, complaints
management and/or alternative dispute resolution techniques.

About the Panel Member with expertise in the nature of complaints role
Panel Members with expertise in the nature or topic of complaints are sought. These will
be sessional roles, as required.
The successful candidates will have:

Exceptional skills in one or more of the following fields:

o Social work / child and adolescent development
o Mental health / psychology
o Disability
o Family law
o Family violence
o Vulnerable cohorts (including translators and/or cultural liaisons for culturally
and linguistically diverse communities, Koorie communities, and other
cohorts such as regarding sexuality and gender); and
Demonstrated experience in child, young people, parent and/or family engagement,
complaints management and/or alternative dispute resolution techniques.

Attachment A Expression of Interest Template

Please provide your CV, and a cover-letter that indicates for which role you are expressing interest.
You may indicate multiple roles:
Chair (sessional role, 2-3 days per week)
Deputy Chair (sessional role, as required)
Panel Member with expertise in school education (sessional role, as required)
Panel Member with expertise in the nature of complaints (sessional role, as required)
please specify your areas of expertise: ____________
Your cover-letter must include responses to each of the key selection criteria for all roles, as
outlined below, as well as for the key selection criteria for the individual role for which you are
expressing interest, as outlined below.
Key selection criteria (all roles)

Extensive experience at a senior level

Demonstrated personal attributes of integrity and empathy
Be highly trusted and respected in your field
Ability to hear anticipated complaints without any conflicts of interest (candidates are
preferred that are not currently working in the Victorian Government school system).

Key selection criteria (Chair and Deputy Chair)

Exceptional skills in alternative dispute resolution (e.g. conciliation, mediation, and making
recommendations, etc);
Exceptional skills in complaints management (ideally including the triage of complaints, and
the analysis and reporting of data);
Exceptional stakeholder engagement and management skills;
Experience in managing a small organisation, including people and financial management;
Solid knowledge of procedural fairness and natural justice;
Knowledge of school education governance and pedagogy (preferable); and
Experience in public speaking and/or providing professional learning (preferable).

Key selection criteria (Panel Members with expertise in school education)

Exceptional skills in school education (such as a former principal or leading teacher); and
Demonstrated experience in parent and student engagement, complaints management
and/or alternative dispute resolution techniques.

Key selection criteria (Panel Members with expertise in the nature of complaints)

Exceptional skills in one or more of the following fields:

o Social work / child and adolescent development
o Mental health / psychology
o Disability
o Family law
o Family violence
o Vulnerable cohorts (including translators and/or cultural liaisons for culturally and
linguistically diverse communities, Koorie communities, and other cohorts such as
regarding sexuality and gender); and
Demonstrated experience in child, young people, parent and/or family engagement,
complaints management and/or alternative dispute resolution techniques.