• Play a leading role in significant legislative and policy reform projects.
• 1 x Ongoing & 1 x Fixed Term, Full-Time opportunities.
• VPS Grade 5: $109,730 - $132,764 plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety, Corrections and Justice Services, is seeking 2x Senior Legal Policy Officer's to provide a critical role within Policy, Strategy and System Outcomes.

About the Business Unit

Corrections and Justice Services (CJS) 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 both community and custodial corrections.

Policy, Strategy and System Outcomes (PSSO), a business unit within CJS, is responsible for policy reform, program design and development, and strengthening engagement with service sector partners. PSSO works closely with other CJS business units to deliver a modern corrections system that is focused on human rights, rehabilitation and community safety. PSSO lives the Victorian Public Service values in its 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.

About the Role

The Senior Legal Policy Officer, Legal Policy Team will be responsible for delivering policy projects and legislative reform for Corrections and Justice Services, developing and coordinating new legislative and policy proposals, and the preparation and coordination of detailed and complex advice, reports and briefings.

Key priorities for the Legal Policy Team and PSSO over the next 12 to 24 months include:

• developing and delivering priority reforms across the adult corrections system, including community corrections, parole and post-sentence
• ensuring human rights are embedded in corrections policy and practice
• contributing to upcoming legal and regulatory reforms and
• providing strategic legal policy advice to the Minister and DJCS Executives on key issues and priorities within the corrections system.

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, using influence and negotiation skills to support the provision of clear advice to support effective, timely actions.

Some of your duties will include:

• Provide insightful legal policy analysis and advice, including the identification of emerging issues, opportunities, risks and trends impacting on the achievement of key government initiatives.
• Deliver high quality and authoritative written materials including solutions focussed reports, briefings, papers and presentations on policy and program issues and options for senior management, departmental executives, government and other key stakeholders.
• Develop legal policy to support operational service partners within Corrections and Justice Services.

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:

• Sound knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian government administrative processes, including Cabinet and legislative processes.
• Previous experience in providing public sector policy advice.
• Knowledge of current policy direction, research and issues within corrections and the criminal justice system more broadly, or the ability to understand these issues quickly.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues, interpret legislation and provide appropriate legal or regulatory options.

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.

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.

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.