Project Officer

**Support the review and redevelopment of the Aboriginal Independent Prison Visitor Scheme (AIPVS).**:

- **Fixed Term, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service**:

- **VPS Grade 4: $97,955 - $111,142 plus superannuation.**

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking an Project Officer to provide a critical role within the Koori Justice Unit

**This is a prioritised 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 Koori Justice Unit (KJU) is responsible for the stewardship, coordination, and implementation of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4 (AJA4), a formal partnership with Aboriginal communities to reduce Aboriginal over-representation and improve justice outcomes KJU provides coordination and support to the Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF) and its associated partnership mechanisms, to deliver on the goals of the AJA. It is responsible for leading effective engagement with the department's key Aboriginal partnership, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, and other Aboriginal stakeholders.

**About the Role**

The Aboriginal Independent Prison Visitor Scheme (AIPVS) is administered by the KJU and is a volunteer-based program designed to provide independent oversight of the state's prison system, with a particular focus on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals in custody. The AIPV aims to ensure that the needs of Aboriginal people are met through a more culturally informed and safe system. A key action of the AJA4 is to review and redevelop the AIPVS to better meet the needs of Aboriginal people in custody and adapt the current mainstream model to be culturally responsive to identify deeper insights and strengthen justice outcomes.

The Project Officer will support the coordination of the AIPV, with a primary focus on supporting the review and redevelopment of the AIPVS.

Some of your duties will include:

- Support the review and redevelopment of the AIPVS ensuring culturally safe approaches and Aboriginal voices are embedded throughout all stages of the process.
- Assist in the coordination and support of the AIPVS including supporting recruitment activities, communication with volunteers and administrative functions of the scheme.
- Support stakeholder engagement, management and problem-solving skills to ensure successful program development, implementation and delivery.

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:

- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.

**Qualifications/requirements**
- A qualification in project management, public administration or a related discipline is desirable

**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.