Senior Engagement and Communications Officer
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.
The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.
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 more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers
We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
| Department: | Department of Justice and Community Safety |
| Work Type: | Fixed term - full time |
| Job Function: | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
| Classification: | VPSG5 |
| Work Location: | Hybrid |
| Reference: | VG/D00894 |
| Closing Date: | 25-Sep-2026 |
| Salary Range: | $116,413 - $140,849 |
| Job Duration: | 18 months |
| Attachments: | Position Description - D00894 - VPS5 - SGRU Senior Engagement and Communications Officer - Fixed Term, Full Time - September 2026.docx (Word, 560KB) |
| Contact: | Shahaan Murray 0411 489 081 | shahaan.murray@justice.vic.gov.au |
Position Details
- Utilise your understanding of the Aboriginal community and ability to communicate sensitively to support the Stolen Generations Reparations Unit.
- Fixed term, Full time opportunity.
- VPS grade 5: $116,413 - $140,849 plus superannuation.
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 Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking a Senior Engagement and Communications Officer within our Aboriginal Justice Group.
About the Business Unit
The Aboriginal Justice group of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) is committed to driving systemic change in the justice system, to connect, support and deliver better outcomes for the Aboriginal community. The group works in partnership with Traditional Owners and the Victorian Aboriginal community to embed the principles of self-determination in the justice sector.
The Stolen Generations Reparations Unit (SGRU) sits within the Aboriginal Justice Group and was established in January 2022 to deliver the Stolen Generations Reparations Package (Package) in Victoria. The team is committed to delivering a reparations process that is fully supported, accessible, transparent and trauma informed.
About the role
Reporting to the Manager, Policy, Strategy and Operations, the Senior Engagement Officer plays a key role in implementing the Stolen Generations Reparations Engagement and Communications Strategy. The position works collaboratively across the team to coordinate and deliver targeted engagement activities, develop quarterly engagement schedules, and support effective stakeholder engagement to achieve program objective.
You will work closely with the DJCS Strategic Communications Branch, to create communications products to support the success of the Stolen Generations Reparations Package. The role also ensures a holistic engagement approach is adopted for key support services and recordkeeping agencies across the Unit. As the Senior Engagement and Communications Officer, you will require strong communication skills and demonstrated experience of working with the Aboriginal community, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, across the Victorian Public Service, and sector support services.
Some of your responsibilities will include:
- Work collaboratively with the existing Senior Engagement and Communications Officer to implement and review the Stolen Generations Reparations Engagement and Communications Strategies and all associated initiatives.
- Lead the coordination and implementation of targeted engagements, including the development of quarterly engagement plans and delivery of regional engagement activities across Victoria.
- Work collaboratively with the existing Senior Engagement and Communications Officer, the Senior Program Officer (Restorative Programs), relevant ministers' offices and local Aboriginal partners to deliver In-Person Apology events.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will have:
- Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.
- Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal community, both society and culture, and the issues impacting it.
- Demonstrated expertise in managing complex engagement and communication projects within governments.
- Experience in stakeholder engagement principles, such as the IAP2 framework, and delivering sophisticated and culturally aware stakeholder engagement.
Find out more working with the department: https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/careers/aboriginal-torres-strait-islander-employment
Aboriginal applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process and are encouraged to contact aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.auif 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.
To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.
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.


