NSW Department of Education and Training
Position Description
POSITION TITILE:
Director, International Programs
REPORTS TO:
Executive Director, DEC International
Department of Education and Training
LOCATION:
Level 2, 1 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst 2010
DATE:
March 2014
PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Providing strategic directions to and operational management of all aspects of the
International Students Centre; encompassing programs for full fee paying students
for NSW government schools and TAFE NSW, study tours for NSW government
schools, and management of temporary visa holders for NSW government schools.
Providing and managing opportunities for the international student market, in
conjunction with various stakeholders, to grow the International student market for
TAFE NSW and NSW government schools for onshore and offshore markets.
Providing strategic high level advice to senior officers of the Department including the
Managing Director of TAFE NSW, Deputy Director General Schools, DirectorGeneral and the Minister on all aspects of the operational and legislative processes
related to the International Students Centre.
Developing and managing policies and procedures relating to the ESOS Act to
enable the Department to meet these legislative requirements and other Federal
legislation pertaining to the enrolment and administration of international students
studying in the TAFE and Government Schools sectors. The Director International
Programs is the Principal Executive Officer for CRICOS registration and compliance.
Developing and maintaining significant alliances with other states and territories on
changes and new directions in higher education, vocational training and school
education initiatives provided to overseas students and applying this intelligence to
programs offered in NSW.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Director International Programs reports to the Executive Director, DEC
International of the Department of Education and Communities, through to the
Managing Director of TAFE NSW.
Other positions reporting directly to the CEO, DEC International are:
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Manager Financial Services;
Professional Support Officer
Manager, International Relations
Director, NSW AMES
Executive Assistant
The Director, International Programs has responsibility for approximately 70 staff,
both permanent and temporary to support the delivery of services.
Positions reporting directly to the Director are:
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Manager, International Students – NSW government schools
Manager, International Students – TAFE NSW
International Students – Executive Assistant
ROLE OF THE POSITION
The incumbent of this position leads a significant unit of approximately 70 staff. The
position supports the Executive Director of DEC International, the international
commercial arm of the Department of Education and Communities.
The position incumbent also has a responsibility for setting the strategic direction for
increasing the international student markets and developing departmental policies
and guidelines for the implementation and management of the programs that meet
the stringent Federal Government legislation and requirements laid down under the
ESOS Act.
The Director, International Programs provides high level strategic advice to the
Executive Director, DEC International, Managing Director of TAFE NSW, Deputy
Director-General (Schools), Director-General, other Directors as required, the
Minister and ministerial advisors and other government departments. The Director
International Programs is responsible for responding to RML’s, complaints, enquiries,
requests, updating House Folder Notes, and other correspondence from these areas.
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT
The Department of Education and Communities is an innovative organisation
focused on provision of service to the community through the delivery of quality
education and training.
It is the role of senior staff in the Department to lead the development of an
organisational culture which is focused on the work of staff in schools and TAFE
Institutes. Senior staff serve and support students, staff and the community; promote
the development of key relationships and values; and work collaboratively with
interest groups. They also value team work, problem solving and strategic issues
management; and promote the significant role of education and training for the social
and economic future of NSW.
More than 1.5 million students (in schools, TAFE and community education) in NSW
benefit from the services of the Department of Education and Communities. To
achieve this, the Department has a recurrent budget of over eleven billion dollars and
a workforce of over 96,000 FTE. Its size, power and capacity for coordination provide
opportunities to integrate the provision of education and training in ways that had not
been possible traditionally.
The challenges and opportunities facing the Department are immediate and
significant. Success depends on providing quality support to teachers in schools,
TAFE NSW Institutes, communities and industries; ensuring that high quality learning
and teaching are everyone’s central focus; providing students with the knowledge,
understanding, skills and values for productive and rewarding lives; and providing
vocational education and training of the highest quality. This ongoing focus is needed
to meet the needs and aspirations of the community and industry, and to implement
government initiatives in the provision of educational technology.
The Department of Education and Communities will meet these challenges and
opportunities by strengthening its focus on support for teaching and learning; leading
the growth of the market position of public schools; ensuring accountability to the
Government and community; and implementing an ethos of customer service
throughout the Department. The Department is committed to promoting public
schools and TAFE NSW and the teachers who work in them; and creating
harmonious and productive relations with the teaching profession (and those who
represent its members), the community and industry.
Rapidly changing information and communications technology provides further
opportunities for the Department of Education and Communities to apply and adapt
work practices to e-business, online curriculum, flexible delivery of services and
products, and strategic use of executive information to inform corporate and
educational decisions.
Provision of high quality public education and training requires the concerted effort of
every senior officer of the Department. These efforts require close alignment of policy
and support through the Department’s directorates and portfolios with the needs of
schools and TAFE NSW Institutes.
The staffing environment of the Department of Education and Communities is diverse
and complex. Staff are employed under a number of Acts of Parliament, with the
majority being covered by the Teaching Service Act 1980 and the Public Sector
Employment and Management Act 2002 (this includes staff employed under Chapter
1A of the Public Sector Employment and Management Act 2002 in the Department of
Education and Training, or the TAFE Commission Division, to enable the TAFE
Commission to exercise its functions). Every senior officer of the Department will
ensure that all staff, regardless of the awards governing their employment, are
committed to the corporate priorities.
The Department of Education and Communities has been operating in the
international market place for over 15 years. International students have been a key
commercial revenue activity for the Department of Education and Communities.
In 1997, the Department brought together the international students program from
TAFE NSW and NSW government schools and also incorporated the school study
tour program and support for visiting delegations and student exchange programs.
In 2000 The International Students Centre (ISC) was created with responsibilities for
the recruitment of international students across TAFE NSW and NSW government
schools, the school study tour program and the school Temporary Visa Holder (TVH)
Program. The ISC provides a central point of communication and coordination for all
potential and enrolled international students in NSW government schools and TAFE
NSW locations.
TAFE NSW Institutes and the NSW government school system must compete in
commercial markets for international students while advancing the interest of the
TAFE NSW Commission, the Department of Education and Communities and the
NSW Government system as a whole.
Several reviews of the international students program have been undertaken over
many years. It was recommended by Corrs, (Corrs Report, February 1998) that the
TAFE NSW and NSW government schools international student functions and
marketing direction with an overall marketing approach be centrally determined.
TAFE NSW Institutes play a significant role within this framework where they wish to,
for recruiting and providing programs for international students.
Marketing and promotions of TAFE NSW English Language Centres are managed at
the Institute level. However, the international student applications are processed
through the ISC and all centres are required to adhere to and comply with the ISC
procedures in relation to the ESOS Act as the ISC is the CRICOS holder for English
Language Programs. The International Students Centre provides advice and support
on a needs basis
The Schools Study Tours Program offers a combination of short and long-term visits
including home-stay covering both school students and adults. The growth of this
program is limited by the number of schools that are able to provide programs. Each
year approximately 10,000 students or adults participate in a school visit.
In June 2000, the management and administration of the Temporary Visa Holders
policy was attached to the International Students Centre. This significantly increased
the work load and responsibility of the Centre. In the 2000/2001 financial year,
revenue achieved was $26.92 million. The income for the 2011/2012 financial year
was $19.22 million.
The Director, International Programs has a critical role in building the international
student market, within budgetary constraints, in consultation with all stakeholders of
TAFE NSW and NSW government schools.
The position sets the strategic direction consistent with and in support of the
Department's corporate plans, as well as being within the framework of central
agency requirements and statutory obligations laid down by the Federal Government.
The Director is required to liaise regularly with TAFE NSW Institutes and School
Executive Directors’ Offices to ensure support for the marketing of the program(s).
Externally, the Director, International Programs liaises with other relevant State and
Federal Government Departments, other State education and training authorities,
peak industry groups and relevant international organisations. The Director is a key
senior figure within the international student sector in Australia. The position regularly
engages in high level forums with universities and private providers
The Director manages relationships with a wide range of overseas student
recruitment agents who act on behalf of the Department both on and off shore.
This position is a senior key strategic position which has contact and influence on all
aspects of International Student recruitment and administration across NSW.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Responsible for:
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Managing the strategic direction and business operations of international
student programs encompassing full fee paying students for NSW government
schools and TAFE NSW, study tour programs and temporary visa holders for all
NSW government schools.
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Developing and reviewing ongoing marketing strategies in conjunction with
stakeholders to grow the International student market for TAFE NSW and NSW
government schools.
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Developing marketing strategies to support the strategic direction for
international student programs across TAFE NSW and NSW government
schools.
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Managing the International Student unit human, financial, physical resources, IT
and operations to ensure a high level of customer service to meet client and
departmental needs.
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Establish effective project management systems for successfully managing the
delivery of international student programs, projects and consultancies.
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Identifying training programs to support and motivate staff to achieve the
Department’s international marketing strategies and targets.
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Identifying, developing, monitoring and building effective customer relationships
with relevant Government agencies and international agents and other
stakeholders in the international student industry.
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Developing and implementing customer relationship models for internal and
external stakeholders.
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Identifying new market opportunities to support the Centre’s strategic directions
and increase the commercial revenue/market share of international student
programs and study tours.
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Identifying and developing a range of consultative initiatives, processes and
policies which deal with market opportunities and drive the corporate
performance in these international programs.
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Liaising closely with and providing authoritative advice on the international
student market to Directors across a number of areas/portfolios including:
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TAFE NSW Institute Directors
Student Services and Equity
School Executive Directors
Managing Director of TAFE NSW
Deputy Director-General, Schools
Customer Services and Support
ITD
Ministers and their staff
Other NSW Government Departments e.g. Trade and Investment; Premiers
Federal Government Departments e.g. Austrade; DFAT; DIISTRE; DIBP
Regulatory authorities – TEQSA; ASQA; NSW Board of Studies; TPS Director
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Ensure that a high quality customer focus presence is maintained within
budgetary limitations for the International Student Centre at all times, including
the training of all staff to ensure their awareness and commitment to providing
service and programs are of the highest quality.
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Lead and manage the International Student Centre to ensure a high degree of
responsiveness and accountability is provided to internal and external clients
within the budgetary, legislative and customer service guidelines.
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Provide high quality strategic advice to senior officers of the Department and
Minister regarding all facets of the operation of International student admissions
and procurement, both at functional and legislative levels.
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Develop and maintain constructive links and communications with a range of
external clients and other State/Federal agencies to ensure the growth and
compliance of the program and ensure that the Department is kept at the
forefront of the International student delivery program in Australia.
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Work with the Executive Director, DEC International to manage international
business for DEC including understanding the national profile of international
students and analysing the programs of competitors in the international student
market.
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Contribute to continuous improvement in records management and the
achievement of full compliance with State records legislative requirements, by
promoting corporate records management policies, plans, procedures and
practices, and developing and delivering effective local strategies for their
implementation.
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Contribute to the development of an organisational culture which is focused on
the work of staff in schools, colleges and other education and training facilities;
exists to deliver services to and support students, staff and the community;
promotes the development of key relationships and values and works
collaboratively with interest groups; values team work, problem solving and
strategic issues management; and promotes the significant role of education
and training in the social and economic future of NSW.
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Demonstrate commitment to core NSW public sector values of cultural diversity,
equity and ethical practice, and a healthy, safe and fair workplace; and lead
staff in implementing these values.
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
The Director has a strong external focus
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Consulting with key State/Federal bodies to ensure compliance of the program
to legislative requirements and National Code of Ethics.
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Developing relationships with student recruitment agencies, ELICOS centres,
Universities, private providers and community groups.
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The Director requires strong relationships with key internal stakeholders
particularly State Office Directors, School Executive Directors, TAFE NSW
Institute Directors and Executive Directors, and School Education Directors.
CHALLENGES AND CONSTRAINTS
The position faces the following challenges and constraints:
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Developing and maintaining an international student program which is
supported by the NSW government school sector and TAFE NSW Institutes.
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Managing all functions within a limited budgetary environment.
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Ensuring support for the program within NSW government schools while the
schools meet the need of placing and educating local students.
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Ensuring support from TAFE NSW Institutes in areas where demand is high
from the local market and demand is also high in the same programs in the
international market.
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Large number of competitors in the VET, private sector, universities as well as
other State school systems competing for the same lucrative market.
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Being across current and emerging issues affecting the operational delivery of
programs to overseas students in TAFE NSW Institutes and NSW government
schools to ensure a high level of quality advice is available to senior
departmental staff and the minister.
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Legislative requirements and support of the National Code of Practice and the
Educational Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act while attempting to
grow the market.
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Managing agents to ensure Departmental policy and legislative requirements
are adhered to and exposing the Department to possible legal or media issues.
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Gaining support from Senior Management for the need of international travel to
be part of the marketing strategy.
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Fostering and leading highly professional staff to perform as a cohesive team to
meet the operational issues and challenges of the International Student Centre.
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Growing DEC’s market share in a public sector environment.
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Working with other providers and Government agencies to promote a whole of
state approach to growing market share in International Students.
DECISION MAKING
Within the context of Government commitments and the Department’s state wide
policy framework the Director, International Programs:
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Sets program objectives and strategic directions for international students in
consultation with stakeholders.
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Is responsible for the management and resolution of any contentious issues
as requested.
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Can negotiate with unions and key education and community groups and
make decisions relating to strategies for the resolution of contentious issues.
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Provides expert advice to the Executive Director DEC International, Managing
Director of TAFE NSW, Deputy Director-General (Schools), Director-General,
Minister for Education on emerging issues to ensure consistency in the
implementation of vocational training and educational programs for overseas
students in TAFE NSW and NSW government schools.
POSITION DIMENSIONS
Staffing
Reporting directly:
3
Budget
Operating Budget including salaries 2011-12
$9.88 Million
Revenue 2011-12
$92.56 Million
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
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Proven successful experience in developing and implementing
commercial/business strategies in the international student market.
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Demonstrated skills in leadership, management, strategic planning and
development of policy together with appropriate tertiary qualifications or
equivalent.
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Excellent organisational skills with the ability to set work priorities, provide a
superior level of customer service and meet deadlines in a highly commercially
competitive area.
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Superior written and oral communication skills including high level negotiation
skills and the ability to deal effectively with staff, stakeholders and external
clients.
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Proven ability and comprehensive understanding of strategies required to seek
new opportunities in the international student market to grow and expand
international student market share within a public sector environment.
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Demonstrated high level customer service skills and development of customer
relations management with both internal and external stakeholders together
with wide knowledge of the international student market covering the VET and
School sectors.
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A sound understanding of the broad principles and issues of the international
student market in relation to visas, agents, code of ethics and relevant
legislation.
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Capacity to lead staff in implementing the Department’s Aboriginal education
and training policies and to ensure quality outcomes for Aboriginal people.