Principal Legal Policy Officer, Systemic Review Unit

2 weeks ago

Melbourne City Centre, Australia Department of Education Full time

**About us**

The Department of Education (the department) is responsible for delivering and regulating state-wide learning and development services to approximately one-third of all Victorians across the early childhood and school education sectors. The department is also one of Victoria's biggest employers, with approximately 80,000 teaching staff and around 5,000 public service employees.

The Legal Division provides highly valued legal services to support the delivery of the department's strategic objectives, key reforms and to manage legal risk. In doing so, Legal Division provides direct, practical and strategic legal advice to portfolio ministers, the secretary, other senior staff and over 1,600 government schools, supporting approximately over 650,000 Victorian Government school students.

**About the role - fixed term, full-time till 30 June 2026**

A rare and exceptional opportunity has arisen to work as a Principal Legal Policy Officer for the newly formed System Review Unit in the Legal Division of the Department of Education.

The Systemic Review Unit has been established following findings made by the Board of Inquiry into historical abuse at Victorian Government schools (the Inquiry). In its response to the Inquiry, the Victorian Government acknowledged the importance of institutional accountability and transparency to enable individual and collective healing, and provided a commitment to proactively understanding the extent of its own historical failings outside of those that were canvassed in detail as part of the Inquiry.

The Systemic Review Unit will undertake a review of historical child sexual abuse in Victorian government schools from 1960 to 2000. The Systemic Review is due to report in 2026.

The role will also support the broader Legal Division's work, including: undertaking legal research; knowledge management; drafting legal documents; correspondence and briefings; reviewing department policies and guidelines; preparing reports and resources; and liaising with clients as appropriate.

**Why join us?**
- **Challenging, purpose-based work that makes a difference -**Be part of a passionate, high-performing team that helps support life-long learning in Victoria.
- **Flexible and hybrid working arrangements** - Part time, flexible start and finish times, work from home to help manage your work and personal commitments.
- **Competitive salary** - Bi-annual salary increases in line with the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement
- **Diversity and inclusion** - As one of Victoria's largest employers, the department is committed to creating an organisation that is inclusive and ensuring it has a workforce that represents the community it serves.
- **Values** - The department has adopted the public sector values which are set out in the Code of Conduct for Victorian Public Sector Employees, which are Responsiveness, Integrity, Impartiality, Accountability, Respect, Leadership and Human Rights. The department's Values underpin how we interact with colleagues, students and families, members of the community, suppliers and government.
- **Employee assistance program** - For emotional, mental and general psychological wellbeing and support

**How to Apply**

For more information, please review the attached position description.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and a cover letter (no more than 2 pages).

For a confidential discussion regarding the role, please contact Jessi Whitby, Project Director, Legal Division, 03 7022 5811.

**Applications close 11:59pm on 08-MAY-2025.

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