Senior Project Officer

An exciting opportunity exists for a talented and passionate individual to join the First Peoples-State Relations Group in the Traditional Owner Rights and Land Justice Branch, Trust Operations Unit, as a Senior Project Officer at the Department of Premier and Cabinet. This is a designated position under section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

In this dynamic role the Senior Project Officer will be responsible for the development and management of a range of projects and programs to strengthen Victoria's Aboriginal communities, specifically at Lake Tyers and Framlingham Aboriginal Trusts (Trusts). The Senior Project Officer will play an active role in regulating the Aboriginal Lands Act 1970, building partnerships and engaging across government and community to influence future investment and achieve better outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians. They will also be responsible for the successful coordination of significant workstreams and supporting the successful delivery of critical infrastructure for the Trusts and ensuring its alignment of the original scope, budget and program. The position also requires sound judgment and a commitment to achieving results.

The role will contribute to the ground-breaking work of the Group in the areas of truth, Treaty, self-determination and cultural rights. The First Peoples - State Relations Group supports an extensive program of priority work with First Peoples, applying a strong understanding of self-determination to our work practices and in providing clear and robust advice to the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, Premier, Cabinet and senior executives within the Group.

The successful applicant will possess strong interpersonal skills, program and project management and coordination experience, policy skills, and ideally experience in working with Aboriginal communities.

This is a unique opportunity to work in new and innovative ways that recognises First Peoples as the self determining drivers of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria.

The First Peoples - State Relations Group recognises the invaluable contribution of existing Aboriginal staff and is committed to promoting Aboriginal leadership as reflected in the Group's executive team. The Group welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and strongly encourages all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people interested in these positions to apply. This is a designated position under section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will bring:

• Demonstrated ability in managing and maintaining constructive, collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders that are critical to the successful delivery of the project including engaging in a sensitive and culturally appropriate manner with Aboriginal organisations and communities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Aboriginal cultures and societies, an understanding of historic and contemporary issues relating to Aboriginal Victorians and experience in policy and program design and implementation in the Treaty and First Peoples' portfolio.
• Strong project management, planning and organisational skills and the ability to apply sound judgement and initiative to the management of complex projects within the scheduled timeframe and budget.
• Highly developed written communication skills, including ability to prepare briefs, correspondence, grants and/or reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language, ensuring that they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs.
• Proven experience and demonstrated capacity to identify and address complex and emerging challenges through high-level conceptual analysis to develop policy and project advice drawing on best practice.
• Highly developed interpersonal and negotiation skills, with an ability to effectively negotiate and resolve project scope, design and delivery issues with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

For more details regarding this position, please see attached position description for the key selection criteria to address in application.

The closing date for this position is midnight, Thursday, 30th October 2025.

Apply before the advertised closing date, all applications should include:

• a resume
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages)

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Other relevant information

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DPC has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DPC employees be fully vaccinated.

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and people with disabilities. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.