Senior Project Officer

Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Senior Project Officer

Strategic Engagement

Youth Justice

• Temporary, Fulltime up to 12 months
• Location: Parramatta
• Clerk Grade 9/10, Salary ($129,464 - $142,665 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This is a targeted recruitment. While all applicants are welcome, preference will be given to candidates who meet the established standards of the role and are of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait islander descent. This is because the Department acknowledges this lived experience contributes a perspective valuable to our work with this community.

Your role

Provide high-level advice and assistance to the Executive Director Youth Justice and the Director, Strategy and Engagement to ensure seamless communication with the Minister's Office and to prepare information, briefings and reports to inform the parliamentary process.

Undertake the management of key strategic projects within Strategy and Engagement for a range of corporate activities and provide high level support for key committees, including the Youth Justice Executive Leadership Team. Additionally, provide support to the Executive Director to prepare briefs, reports and other strategic documentation for the division.

What you'll do

• Act as the key liaison between Youth Justice and the Minister's office, facilitating an effective partnership and coordination of Ministerial and Parliamentary Services in consultation with the Youth Justice Department Liaison Officer.
• Lead the development, monitoring and review of ministerial briefings and reporting to the Minister's Office on issues of political, corporate and strategic significance. Prepare ministerial correspondence, briefings and house folder notes, including for the annual budget estimates process.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships across Youth Justice Directorates to prepare briefs and correspondence for submission to the Executive Director, Secretary and the Minister, in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain a process for tracking Ministerial and Parliamentary matters, correspondence and reporting.
• Provide strategic advice and support to the Executive Director, Director of Strategy and Engagement, Secretary's office and the Minister's office on corporate reporting, projects and key issues.
• Undertake the management of key strategic projects within the Strategy and Engagement directorate for a range of corporate activities and provide high level support for key committees, including the Youth Justice Executive Leadership Team.
• Supervise the activities of the Department Liaison Officer who is located at the Minister's Office and through this position is required to ensure an effective partnership and line of communication is developed and maintained.
• Supervise the activities of the Information Support Officer to ensure timely appropriate responses to requests for information through Government Information Public Access inquiries and to support responses to subpoenas and other litigation.

What we're looking for

• Current NSW Working With Children Check clearance.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

In addition to the above essential criteria, we are looking for someone with:

• High-level competence in systems development and maintenance supporting ministerial and parliamentary processes in a medium to large agency.
• Strong understanding of ministerial and parliamentary process.
• Strong project and stakeholder management expertise.
• Understanding and knowledge of the significant trauma and disadvantage young people experience. Display key understanding of the unique sensitive, cultural differences and social complexities of young people, their families and communities.

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the 'Apply now' button.

We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply - you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

1. Provide an example of when you prepared executive or ministerial briefing materials. How did you ensure they were accurate, timely, and aligned with priorities and stakeholder expectations?
2. Describe how you've built and maintained effective working relationships with Aboriginal colleagues, organisations, or communities in a previous role. What strategies and approaches helped you develop trust and collaboration?

Applications close Sunday, 28th September :59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Samantha Isnard on or at

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Olivia Alipalo on or via

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook:

The Welcome Experience

Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more:

The careers site currently promotes this service on the 'Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.