Policy and Project Officer

Location: Melbourne | CBD

Job type: Full time / 2 years

Organisation: Department of Justice and Community Safety

**Salary**: $90,067 - $102,192

Occupation: Policy

Reference: VG/TBC_CRIR

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?
- **Exciting 2-year fixed term position available to assist strategic policy reform projects with a justice system focus.**:

- **Utilise your policy development and stakeholder engagement skills to contribute to a dynamic and busy team.**:

- **VPS Grade 4: $90,067 to $102,192 plus superannuation.**

**About us**

Corrections and Justice Services (CJS) is part of the Department of Justice and Community Safety and is responsible for the direction, management and operation of Victoria's adult corrections system, including Community Correctional Services, public and privately operated prisons, and a transitional centre.

CJS is made up of several business units including Corrections Victoria, Justice Services and Policy, Strategy and Offender Outcomes (PSOO). PSOO brings together a number of teams responsible for policy, strategy and coordination functions.

The Policy and Project Officer role sits within Policy, Strategy and Service Design (PSSD) within the PSOO business unit. PSSD provides strategic advice and develops policy to improve rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes for people across the corrections system, including in prisons and community corrections. This is a critical component of the department's strategy to reduce offending, keep people out of prison and contribute to community safety. PSSD is also responsible for CJS's response to the Cultural Review into the Adult Custodial Corrections System (the Review). The Review is the first of its kind conducted in Australia, inquiring into the culture of the custodial system with a focus on the wellbeing and safety of staff and the safety (including Cultural safety) of people in custody.

PSSD works closely with other CJS business units to deliver a modern corrections system for Victorians that is focused on human rights, rehabilitation and community safety. PSSD lives the DJCS values in its work, with an emphasis on improving outcomes for people in contact with the system, and fostering a workplace culture that is kind, respectful and effective.

**About the role**

Key priorities for the Policy and Project Officer role include supporting the development of significant state-wide policy and priority projects in response to emerging issues with a focus on the needs of prisoners and offenders in the community. This may include assisting with the preparation of detailed and complex reports, contributing to the development of briefings and business cases, supporting key governance structures through the provision of Secretariat support, liaison with operational staff, service providers and other government stakeholders.

The role operates within a complex and dynamic environment that requires a capacity to exercise sound judgement, and the ability to proactively develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, using influence and negotiation skills to support the provision of clear advice to support effective, timely actions.

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

**About you**
- Knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian government administrative processes, or the ability gain that knowledge quickly.
- Project management and secretariat support experience.
- Knowledge of current policy direction, research and issues within corrections and the criminal justice system more broadly, or the ability to understand these issues quickly.
- Applied conceptual, policy and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.
- A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.

**_ The Department of Justice and Community Safety has a comprehensive Aboriginal Employment Strategy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply._**

**How to Apply**

**FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES*