• Play a key role in the development of new and innovative health service delivery approaches
• Fixed, Full-Time, until 31 December 2026, opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 5: $113,022 - $136,747 plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking a Senior Policy and Projects Officer to provide a critical role within Justice Health.

About the Business Unit

Justice Health is responsible for:

• the delivery of primary health, primary mental health and specialist forensic mental health services for people in Victorian prisons and young people in custodial centres. In Victoria, health services to people in adult correctional and youth justice facilities are delivered by both public and private providers
• managing relevant contractual arrangements, including overseeing the delivery of health services and the provision and maintenance of all medical records in an electronic medical record
• facilitating the release of health information to community health care providers, legal representatives, and individuals
• the design, procurement and delivery of new and innovative, evidenced-based health services that meet the needs of people of all ages and genders in custody.

The Justice Health Services Reform team is responsible for the design, procurement and delivery of new and innovative, evidenced-based health services that meet the needs of people of all ages and genders in custody.

Justice Health also works closely with custodial health providers and other parts of government to identify and drive service improvements that optimise health outcomes for people in custody. In partnership with Corrections Victoria and Youth Justice, Justice Health is expected to ensure that people in custody are supported to address their health needs and ensure the effective transition of people from prison and young people from Youth Justice facilities back into the community (with a particular focus on the health, mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug needs).

Justice Health is part of the Corrections and Justice Services (CJS) group in the Department of Justice and Community Safety and supports the Minister for Corrections. CJS plays an integral role in developing safer and more resilient communities and in delivering a trusted justice and community safety system.

About the Role

The Senior Policy Officer will report to the Manager, Strategic Policy and be responsible for contributing to the development of high quality, evidence-based health service delivery approaches, which improve health care for adults and young people in custodial settings, and robust evaluation frameworks to guide continuous improvement and reform.

The role operates 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 across government, using influence and negotiation skills to support the provision of clear advice to support effective, timely actions.

Some of your duties will include:

• Formulates authoritative, in-depth advice on complex policy and service design issues relating to health, mental health, alcohol and other drug treatment for people in custody and the custodial operating environment.
• Identifies emerging issues that impact on the operating environment and develop creative, innovative, and practical solution options and recommendations to ensure continued effective service delivery.
• Develops complex written briefs, reports and project documentation that provide policy options and recommendations for consideration by senior decision makers.
• Lead project management activities, including project planning, identification and management of risks, and ensure that project deliverables align with work program and project objectives.
• Proactively builds and maintains positive relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and facilitate a partnership approach to working across the department, across government and with the community.

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 in the development of policy advice and/or operational/performance frameworks within a complex social and/or economic policy environment.
• Sound knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian Government administrative processes.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with an ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.

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 a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) 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.