Senior Program Officer, Aboriginal Practice Leadership

About This Role

• Lead culturally safe, best-practice interventions for Aboriginal young people across community and custody settings.
• Support the reinstatement of Aboriginal Case Management Review Panels as part of the Aboriginal Youth Justice Strategy.
• Build staff capability and strengthen cultural practice through training, collaboration, and statewide stakeholder engagement.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is responsible for the statutory supervision of young people in the criminal justice system across both custody and community.

Youth Justice Custodial Centres accommodate young people aged 10-18 years who have been remanded or sentenced by the Criminal Division of the Children's Court, and some 18–21-year old's sentenced by Adult Courts to a Youth Justice Custodial Centre.

The Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020 – 2030 includes a reform objective to further Aboriginal self-determination to address the overrepresentation of Aboriginal young people in the Youth Justice system.

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
The Opportunity

• Fixed term, full-time position until 30 June 2027 based in Melbourne.
• VPS Grade 5 role: $113,022 - $136,747 per year plus superannuation.
• Meaningfully contribute to the design, development and implementation of various projects, including the Aboriginal Case Management Review Panel, ensuring that quality assurance processes are in place, to review effectiveness of practices and procedures.
• Drive opportunities to engage key YJ staff and related stakeholders in a partnership approach to the design and implementation of priority projects in accordance with high-level Government strategies, organisational priorities, policies and operations.
• Negotiate outcomes, communicate and collaborate regularly with Youth Justice regions, CCYP, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), other government departments, justice partners and other key stakeholders, including providing shared secretariat services and preparing meeting papers, agendas, organising meeting venues and catering, minute taking and follow up action items.
• Lead progress and report on the status of priority projects led by the Aboriginal Practice Leadership Team.

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 it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community
• Demonstrated experience in the design and development of complex programs and services for vulnerable cohorts.
• Understanding of the Youth Justice system in Victoria.

A full driver's licence is required due to the need to be able to work flexibly across both custodial precincts and community offices, based on operational requirements.

A current employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) card is required and will need to be provided prior to commencement of employment by the applicant. Currency will need to be maintained by the employee for the period of employment.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.
What's in it for you?
You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

• Job stability – position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS).
• A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
• Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

If you have any queries, please contact Victoria Idoniboye on or

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact

if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.
For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW. Applications close 11.59pm,
Sunday 14 September 2025.
How To Apply
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
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.