Policy Officer

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time

Organisation: Department of Justice and Community Safety

**Salary**: $91,418 - $103,725

Occupation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services

Reference: DOJ/1714816

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.

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?
- ** Great opportunity to join Youth Justice on an ongoing basis in Melbourne**:

- **Make a positive difference in the lives of Aboriginal young people in the criminal justice system**:

- **Attractive salary between $91,418 - $103,725 + superannuation**

**About us**

The Aboriginal Youth Justice unit at the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is responsible for the design and development of policy, strategy and program responses for young Aboriginal people in contact with or at risk of contact with the Youth Justice system. The Aboriginal Youth Justice team has worked in partnership with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus to develop Wirkara Kulpa, the first Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy as a key initiative under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja. The unit is also responsible for the delivery of the Aboriginal Youth Justice Program which is focused on providing culturally responsive service delivery for Aboriginal young people in the community to assist them to remain connected to family, culture and community.

**What does Aboriginal Youth Justice Policy and Strategy team do?**

A key focus of the Aboriginal Youth Justice Policy and Strategy team is to drive the implementation of Wirkara Kulpa in partnership with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus and under the governance of the Youth Collaborative Working Group of the Aboriginal Justice Forum. Wirkara Kulpa is a 10 year strategy with 75 actions designed to further Aboriginal self-determination and close the gap in justice outcomes by 2031. Wirkara Kulpa also directly responds to 56 of the 75 recommendations of the Our Youth Our Way Inquiry. The Aboriginal Youth Justice team is also responsible for coordinating the monitoring and reporting on the government response to Our Youth Our Way through the Youth Collaborative Working Group.

**What does the Policy Officer do?**

As the Policy Officer, you will work as a member of the Aboriginal Youth Justice Policy and strategy team to provide policy and secretariat support, as well as assist with supporting the data analysis and reporting functions.

You will work in conjunction with several stakeholders including the Aboriginal Justice Caucus and the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCO), as well as providing specialist advice and support to Youth Justice and DJCS more broadly on Aboriginal youth justice issues.

**What skills should a Policy Officer have?**
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal Community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community
- Experience providing support on policy, data analysis and reporting.

A qualification in community programs, youth justice, community engagement and partnerships, program support, youth work, community services or health is also desirable.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

**_ Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply._**

**What's in it for you?**

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

- **Job stability** - position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
- **A fair salary**- enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
- **Transparent performance framework**- approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development