▷ Urgent Principal Policy Officer

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: DJCS/D02024_OCT

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

- Deliver high level, expert advice, coordination, and support on the delivery of departmental objectives and priority projects;
- Fixed, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 6: $138,631 - $185,518 plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking a Principal Policy Officer to provide a critical role within the Office of the Secretary.

About the Business Unit

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) provides a range of government programs and services which focus on improving community safety, victim services, regulatory services and crime prevention, and building strong collaboration across the justice system.

DJCS oversees functions including: Aboriginal Justice, Victim Support, Corrections and Justice Services, Youth Justice, Emergency Management, Police and Crime Prevention, Regulation, Corporate Services and Infrastructure and Justice Coordination.

DJCS reports to the following ministers:

- Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Services
- Minister for Police, Minister for Crime Prevention and Minister for Racing
- Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support
- Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation.

The Office of the Secretary (the Office) provides advice on policy, strategy, governance and operations matters affecting DJCS. The Office supports the Secretary and the Board of Management in a range of high level and complex matters to ensure the smooth running of the organisation and delivery of the department's responsibilities and priorities.

About the Role

Some of your duties will include:

- Lead the development of authoritative and objective advice and support to the Secretary on issues related to public administration, organisational governance, policy and strategy.
- Works across the department to build productive relationships and champions the importance of partnership through co‑creation approaches.
- Guide and manage policy development and project support for priority, system‑wide and cross‑portfolio issues for the Board of Management and Justice Ministers.
- Have a demonstrated understanding of the Victorian Government's commitment to Aboriginal self‑determination.
- Develop and provide specialist, authoritative and complex advice to the Secretary, Executives, Board of Management, Ministers' offices, central agencies, departments and external organisations.
- Lead the preparation of Ministerial, Cabinet and Parliamentary documentation, including meeting papers, for the Secretary and DJCS Ministers as required.
- Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development initiatives to enhance the branch's culture and performance and drive and build a strong culture of collaboration and high performance.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

- Knowledge and demonstrated experience working on issues related to public administration, organisational governance, policy and strategy.
- Experience in providing high-quality and timely advice on complex and sensitive issues to the Secretary, Executives, Board of Management, Ministers' offices, central agencies, departments and external organisations.
- Willingness to lead the coordination and preparation of Ministerial, Cabinet and Parliamentary documentation, including meeting papers, for the Secretary and DJCS Ministers as required.
- Demonstrated ability to operate effectively under pressure in a dynamic and politically sensitive environment.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) and misconduct screening.

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.

Applications close Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 11.59pm

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