• Exciting key leadership opportunity in the South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group.
• Lead the team supporting the flagship Expert Working Group project, and make a positive change in the lives of South Sudanese young people in contact with, or at risk of contact with, the youth justice system
• VPS Grade 6: $129,379 - $173,138 plus superannuation

An exciting, fixed term opportunity exists for a Manager in the South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group.

About us

The South Sudanese Australian Youth Justice Expert Working Group (Expert Working Group) has been established to identify the reasons for, and potential solutions to the overrepresentation of South Sudanese Australians in the youth justice system. The Expert Working Group forms part of the roadmap set out in the Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2020-2030 for reform of the Youth Justice system, with a specific focus on supporting culturally and linguistically diverse groups in Youth Justice. The initiatives in the Strategic Plan aim to prevent children and young people from entering the youth justice system and help address the underlying drivers of offending of those already in the system.   

What does the Manager do?

• Lead insightful policy analysis and advice, including the identification of emerging issues, opportunities, risks and trends to inform the Expert Working Group project.
• Lead research, analysis, and the preparation and presentation of comprehensive written materials including accessible and solutions-focused reports, briefings, papers and presentations.
• Proactively build and maintain strong, trusting and positive relationships with leaders and community members from the South Sudanese Australian and African Australian community in Victoria.
• Lead accessible, relevant and culturally safe consultation processes that tap into and amplify the voices of the South Sudanese Australian and African Australian community in the work of the Expert Working Group.
• Proactively build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships across government and other key agencies to support the work of the Expert Working Group.

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

As our ideal candidate, you will have:

• Sound knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian Government administrative processes.
• Exposure to significant or complex programs or policy initiatives.
• Knowledge of current policy direction, research and issues within Youth Justice, including to address overrepresentation of particular cohorts.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.
• Lived experience and/or comprehensive understanding of issues affecting the South Sudanese Australian community or broader African Australian communities.
• Demonstrated expertise in cultural competence, particularly related to South Sudanese Australian community or broader African Australian communities.
• Strong knowledge of the strengths of, and challenges faced by, young people of South Sudanese Australian and African Australian heritage.

This is a prioritised role for candidates who are South Sudanese Australian or African Australian. That means anyone can apply, however, we will give priority consideration to applications from South Sudanese Australian or African Australian applicants, as required under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 for prioritised roles.

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:

• 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. In addition to the department's EAP, the Expert Working Group team have access to culturally sensitive, confidential counselling tailored to African Australian employees.

If you have any queries, please contact Benjamin Russo on 0438 995 760 or benjamin.russo@justice.vic.gov.au

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.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is continually working towards increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) workforce. The Aboriginal Employment Team aims to attract, recruit, and retain Aboriginal staff across all our roles. This support includes a culturally appropriate attraction and recruitment process. To learn more, email aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au

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 3 December 2023.

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 reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

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.

FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES:

• For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.
• For all VPS employees, due to the new Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) policy, please apply through the JSE to be eligible to be considered for this position in the first round.
  
  

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.