• Provide highly developed and influential policy advice to a range of departmental and ministerial stakeholders
• VPS 6: $142,790 - $191,084 plus superannuation
• Fixed term backfill
  
  • Position number DJ3335: 18 May 2026 to 9 July 2027
  • Position number CV0728: 20 July 2026 to 25 September 2027

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking 2x Principal Policy Officer, to provide a critical role within Policy and Strategy, Corrections Victoria.

About the Business Unit

Corrections Victoria (CV) 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.

Strategic Policy and Investment is a high profile, influential team with an exciting work program over the coming year. Key priorities include leading the budget strategy for corrections, ensuring that the system has the resources to deliver the best outcomes for people in contact with the system, and providing strategic advice to the Minister and executive on priority projects such as the impacts of bail reforms.   

About the Role

The Principal Policy Officer roles sit within Policy and Strategy, Corrections Victoria. Our mission is to drive systemic improvements in the corrections system by providing strategic, evidence-based advice. Policy and Strategy works closely with other business units to deliver a modern corrections system for Victorians that is focused on human rights, rehabilitation and community safety.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Strategic Policy and Investment, the Principal Policy Officer roles are responsible for contributing to 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 preparing and coordinating detailed and complex submissions, briefings and business cases, delivering strategic advice including on the State Budget, and leading projects related to corrections policy and service design, liaison with operational staff, service providers and other government stakeholders.

The roles operate 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.

Core to being successful in this role will be your ability to understand new subject matter quickly, demonstrate appropriate initiative, and your capacity to write accurate, timely and audience-appropriate strategic documents, briefings and budget bids.

Policy and Strategy live the DJCS values in our 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.

Some of your duties will include:

• Provide insightful policy analysis and advice, including the identification of emerging issues, opportunities, risks and trends impacting on the achievement of key government initiatives.
• Lead the research, analysis, preparation and presentation of comprehensive written materials including solutions-focussed briefings, submission, papers and presentations for senior management, departmental executives, and government.
• Proactively build and maintain positive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and facilitate a partnership approach to working across the department and government.

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

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Experience providing high quality, strategic, influential and evidence-based advice to inform decision-making.
• Advanced conceptual, policy and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.
• Exceptional stakeholder skills including experience influencing and negotiating on complex issues.
• Experience with Victorian Government administrative, budget or Cabinet processes
• Knowledge of current policy directions within the corrections and criminal justice system (or the ability to understand these issues quickly)

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.

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.

• a cover letter (max 2 pages) addressing your interest in the role; and
• a copy of your current resume that includes experience relevant to this role.

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.