Senior Convenor

Details: The Restorative Justice Unit (RJU) is a high-performing, inclusive and dynamic environment that is guided by trauma-informed and restorative practice, both with clients and with each other.

The RJU provides innovative and voluntary restorative justice services to persons harmed by an offence, those responsible for the harm, and their respective communities. Careful assessment, preparation and facilitation ensures a safe and productive environment for participants to discuss what happened, how people are affected and how to make things better. In doing so, the RJU aims to:

• Support people who have been harmed by crime, provide a forum for their voice, and empower them to have their needs addressed in the aftermath
• Repair and strengthen supportive relationships for both persons harmed and persons responsible
• Encourage responsibility-taking by persons responsible
• Identify outcomes which aim to address the interests and needs of persons harmed as well as developing strategies to support the person responsible not to repeat any behaviours that might have led to the harm being caused.

The Senior Convenor will be an experienced and motivated restorative justice professional, joining the team in a leadership role. The Senior Convenor will work with two other Senior Convenors to supervise a team of Convenors in their roles preparing, assessing, and convening restorative justice conferences. The Senior Convenor will provide oversight and coordination to caseloads and support for individual cases, as well as induction, training and support ongoing professional development. Senior Convenors also act as Case Reviewers in matters involving domestic, family and sexual violence. Subject to workloads, the Senior Convenor may also be required to maintain a small case load.

The Convening team also includes a First Nations Convenor and First Nations Guidance Partner, which work with the team to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation. Knowledge of issues impacting First Nations peoples in the justice system and experience in supervising First Nations staff in frontline positions will be highly regarded.

The Senior Convenor will also be required to undertake discrete projects to enhance restorative justice practice or program management of the Restorative Justice Scheme. They may also provide oversight to Convenors undertaking projects.

The position reports to the Senior Director and is a member of the RJU's leadership team. The Senior Convenor also works closely with the Operational Support Team which facilitates a range of administration, evaluation and reporting tasks to support the operation of the Unit.

Eligibility/Other Requirements:

• Prior to commencing this role, a current registration issued under the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011 is required. For further information on Working with Vulnerable People registration refer to - Apply for or renew a WWVP registration - Access Canberra )
• The successful candidate will also be required to complete background/security clearance checks.
• Class C drivers' licence is highly desirable.
• Experience working in restorative justice and within the criminal justice setting; with adults and or young people; people harmed by crime and those responsible for causing harm; sexual offences and family violence matters is desirable.
• A degree in criminology or behavioural sciences is desirable.
• Qualifications in conflict resolution/mediation are desirable.

Notes: This is a temporary position available immediately until 30 June 2026 with the possibility of extension up to 12 months and/or permanency.

Reference checks will be conducted for merit-listed candidates.

A merit pool will be established from this selection process and may be used to fill future identical vacancies over the next 12 months.

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where people with diverse thoughts, lived experience, and perspectives can thrive and contribute their unique talents to the ACTPS and ACT community. We encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, veterans, younger and older workers, and people with diverse genders, sexes and sexualities to apply.

How to Apply: Interested applicants should submit a supporting statement (no more than two to three pages) outlining practical experience and examples related to the role with reference to the Professional and Behavioural Capabilities, a current curriculum vitae and the name and contact details of two referees.

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