Principal Policy and Project Officer

Utilise your policy and project expertise to provide support and advice Koori Justice Unit
- Fixed term, Full-Time until May 2025 opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
- VPS Grade 6: $134,593 - $180,115 plus superannuation.

This is an Aboriginal Prioritised position, a role for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, who will be given priority consideration as per the special measures provision of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
About the Business Unit
The Aboriginal Justice group drives systemic change in the justice system, by connecting, supporting and delivering better outcomes for the Aboriginal community. We partner with Traditional Owners and the Victorian Aboriginal community to enable them to self-determine their role in policy and services within the justice sector. We collaborate with our colleagues across government to establish strong connections and build capability and awareness that Aboriginal business is everyone's business.
The Koori Justice Unit (KJU) is a unit within the Aboriginal Justice Group of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), which has been established to help realise a clear vision of a fair and accessible justice system for Aboriginal people.
The KJU is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement - Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja - currently in its fourth phase (AJA4), in partnership with the Aboriginal community and Victorian government, in line with realising Aboriginal self-determination. The AJA has established extensive Government and Community networks through the Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF), Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Network (RAJAC) and the Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committees (LAJAC) and uses them to effectively deliver initiatives including early intervention and prevention programs, diversion initiatives, and rehabilitation and reintegration support.
About the Role
As the Principal Policy and Project Officer, you will contribute to the strategic leadership of advice lead the design and implementation of projects and governance mechanisms under the AJA, including coordination of the RAJAC and LAJAC network and Collaborative Working Groups. You will have primary responsibility for the oversight, ensuring sound governance processes are upheld, and will lead the project delivery of initiatives arising from the mechanisms under the AJA.
**Some of your duties will include**:

- Autonomously lead governance oversight and strategic support of the RAJAC and LAJAC Networks across Victoria.
- Proactively and autonomously scope and lead the delivery of projects, to support effective operation of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, from conception to evaluation, ensuring risks and critical issues are mitigated with effective management strategies, projects are delivered on time and to budget, and monitoring and reporting on progress meets departmental objectives.

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**:

- Excellent knowledge of Aboriginal culture and society and understanding of historical and contemporary issues relating to Aboriginal Victorians.
- Excellent knowledge of public policy development and implementation and knowledge of Cabinet processes and Government decision-making processes.
- Demonstrated experience in advocacy and delivering policy and reform through community partnership and targeted engagement.
- Strong knowledge of, and demonstrated experience, working with Aboriginal communities and advisory groups, including sophisticated and culturally aware stakeholder engagement.

**Qualifications**:

- A tertiary qualification in law, public policy, Aboriginal affairs or similar is desired.
- A current Victorian Driver's Licence

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.
How to Apply
**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.