(Level B/C) $114,917 to $161,145 plus an employer contribution of 17% superannuation applies.

Full-time fixed term position for 3 years with a possible 2-year extension.

Can consider part-time hours for the right candidate.

The BetterStart Group is seeking a Project Coordinator. The role is focussed on evaluating the processes and outcomes of the recent SA Government Initiatives to expand preschool to 3-year-old children.

BetterStart Group is an interdisciplinary team trained in epidemiology, public heath, psychology, and social work. Our focus is on improving the wellbeing of children, young people, families and communities. Our expertise spans the first 1000 days, early childhood education and care, child maltreatment, justice systems, housing and homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, domestic, family and sexual violence, and social and economic inequalities. Our aim is to generate useful evidence to inform policy and practice that can improve health and wellbeing of children, young people, families, and communities.

This role will support a nation-leading research project focussed on South Australia’s 30-hour preschool reform, a key recommendation of the 2023 Gillard Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care. You will play a pivotal role in coordinating project activities, supporting research design and delivery, and ensuring timely, high-quality outputs that inform policy and practice. The activities of the role are diverse and will span the following areas:

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong partnerships with project stakeholders, including Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and frontline providers. Coordinate engagement activities, support co-design, and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Research Support: Assist with ethics applications, data collection and analysis, and contribute to mixed-methods research outputs such as surveys, reports, and policy briefs.
• Knowledge Translation: Help translate findings into practical tools (e.g. infographics, presentations) and support real-time feedback loops into government.
• Project Coordination: Manage day-to-day operations, maintain project plans and risk registers, and liaise with internal and external partners.

To be successful you will need:

• Tertiary qualifications in early childhood, education, public health, public policy, or a related field or the equivalent work experience.
• Demonstrated experience in project coordination and research in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience with data collection and analysis (quantitative and/or qualitative)
• Experience working in or with the early childhood education and care sector (desirable)
• This position requires a valid Working with Children Check and a National Police Check

The path to Adelaide University

We are on an exciting path to Adelaide University as we prepare to open our doors in January 2026. Adelaide University will combine the strengths of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia, and we are dedicated to creating an accessible and future-focused educational powerhouse that fosters economic and social wellbeing through ground-breaking research and innovative teaching. You can learn more about Adelaide University HERE and more information will be provided throughout the recruitment process.

Enjoy an outstanding career environment

We offer a uniquely rewarding workplace. The size, breadth and quality of our education and research programs - including significant industry, government and community collaboration - offers you vast scope and opportunity for a long, fulfilling career.

It also enables us to attract high-calibre people in all facets of our operations, ensuring you will be surrounded by talented colleagues, many world-leading. Our work's cutting-edge nature - not just in your own area, but across virtually the full spectrum of human endeavour - provides a constant source of inspiration.

Our culture is one that welcomes all and embraces diversity consistent with our Staff Values and Behaviour Framework and our Values of integrity, respect, collegiality, excellence and discovery. We firmly believe that our people are our most valuable asset, so we work to grow and diversify the skills, knowledge and capability of all our staff.

We embrace flexibility as a key principle to allow our people to manage the changing demands of work, personal and family life.

In addition, we offer a wide range of attractive staff benefits. These include: salary packaging; flexible work arrangements; high-quality professional development programs and activities; and an on-campus health clinic, gym and other fitness facilities.

Learn more at: adelaide.edu.au/jobs

Your faculty's broader role

The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences contains one of Australia's largest concentrations of leading health researchers, teachers and clinical titleholders. It's comprised of eight schools and a number of specialist disciplines, institutes and centres, variously focused on world-class research, and training the next generation of: medical doctors; surgeons; dentists; nurses; psychiatrists; psychologists; and other health professionals.

Learn more at: health.adelaide.edu.au

If you have the talent, we'll give you the opportunity. Together, let's make history.

Click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to be taken through to the online application form. Please ensure you submit a cover letter, resume, and upload a document that includes your responses to all of the selection criteria for the position as contained in the position description or selection criteria document.

Applications close 11:55pm, 21 August 2025.

The University reserves the right to close this advertisement before the closing date if a suitable candidate is identified.

For further information

For a confidential discussion regarding this position, contact:

Taryn Giles
Senior Talent Acquisition Officer
E: taryn.giles@adelaide.edu.au

You'll find a full position description and/or selection criteria below: (If no links appear, try viewing on another device)

We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. Female applicants, people with a disability and/or and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the requirements of this position are strongly encouraged to apply. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

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