Manager, Legal Policy

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time / 12 months

Organisation: Department of Justice and Community Safety

**Salary**: $134,593 - $180,115

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/DJ2287SEPT2024

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?
- ** Utilise your management expertise to provide support and advice to the **Police Racing Victims and Coordination** branch**:

- **Fixed-Term (12 months), Flexible** opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service**:

- **VPS Grade 6: $**134,593 - $180,115** plus superannuation.**

**About Us**:
Victim Services, Support and Reform (VSSR) is part of the Police, Racing, Victims and Coordination Group within the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS). VSSR is responsible for the delivery and reform of services to victims of crime, placing victims at the centre of our justice system, as well as direct service provision through a range of programs including the Victims of Crime Helpline, Victims Register and the Victims Assistance Program.

The new Victims of Crime Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) will commence operation by 1 December 2024. The FAS will replace the current judicial scheme administered by the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT). The FAS has been established as a new business unit in DJCS, and will provide financial assistance to victims to help them recover from violent crimes.

**About the Role**:
The Manager, Legal Policy is responsible for managing a small team and provides legal policy advice and support in delivery of victim focused reforms, with a particular focus on delivery of the FAS. When the scheme commences, the Legal Policy team will provide advice and assistance to the FAS assessment team, to ensure sound decisions are made in line with legislation, regulation and decision making guidelines.

The Legal Policy team is also responsible for formulating and driving the strategic policy direction (including leading innovations that support alignment with best practice in victim support). Finally, the Legal Policy team oversees administration of the Victims Legal Service, delivered by Victoria Legal Aid in partnership with community legal centres.

Some of your duties will include:

- Managing a team responsible for the development, implementation and delivery of strategic legal policy advice.
- Liaising and negotiating with senior stakeholders, including Office of Parliamentary Counsel, regarding the development of the reform options and scheme design.

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

**About You**:

- Excellent knowledge and experience in the law, legal policy or associated field.
- Experience in managing people to achieve objectives within tight timeframes.
- Excellent ability to communicate complex issues, simply and effectively for a range of audiences.
- Professional written communication skills and an ability to develop complex policies, briefs, Cabinet submissions and drafting instructions to a high standard.
- Qualifications:_
- A degree in law or significant legal policy experience is required.

**How to Apply**:
**_ FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES:_**

**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.