THE ROLE

This position will work as part of a new team to prepare for implementation and delivery of Victorian Government Redress for people who experienced abuse and neglect in historic institutional settings prior to 1990 (Victorian Redress). 

Working in close collaboration with other Victorian Redress teams and applicant support services, the Counselling and Restorative Engagement team will work to develop, operationalise and deliver the Victorian Redress model endorsed by Government. In particular this includes the counselling and personal apology functions.

This role will also work closely with the Counselling Services Navigator, Senior Project Officer and Project Officer roles to develop and adapt policy, program documentation and processes to support delivery of these functions.

The Senior Engagement Officer will be the Victorian Redress contact point for people who accept an offer of redress that includes a personal apology. This will include liaising with the person applying for Victorian Redress, identifying and working with a selected external facilitator, Victorian Government institutional representative (executive) and supporting person/s to support delivery of the apology via a face-to-face meeting, written letter or other agreed arrangement.  

As such, this role will work with Victorian Redress participants at all stages of the restorative process, to help assess individual needs and circumstances to help participants achieve their key justice and healing needs. The Senior Engagement Officer will contribute to policy and program development and the training of Victorian Government executives and facilitators involved in delivery of Victorian Redress personal apologies.  

Additional key components of the role include contributing to the development and delivery of trauma informed processes and procedures to implement the Victorian Redress program and deliver high quality services.

This position will work collaboratively with colleagues across the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing, support services, other government departments, senior executives and facilitators to provide trauma-informed support to participants who choose to engage in restorative engagement processes.

Please note: this position requires dealing with sensitive material that can be emotionally challenging. This role will best suit resilient and empathetic candidates with experience in dealing with sensitive and distressing material.

ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDE

• Provide a central point of contact for people who contact the Victorian Redress program and provide them with information, referrals, support and advice as required.
• Provide trauma-informed support to people who contact the Victorian Redress program building safety and trust throughout the process.
• Assess a person's needs and vulnerabilities, facilitate access to trauma-informed counselling and other support services as appropriate including follow up as required.

Please open the position description to read more.

COVID-19 VACCINATION
The department strongly recommends (but does not mandate) that employees maintain their COVID-19 vaccination status in accordance with current ATAGI (Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) advice, given their individual circumstances. As of June 2023, DFFH does not require evidence of COVID-19 vaccination status.

HOW TO APPLY

All VPS employees (and ex-VPS employees with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange website) MUST apply via the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) <https://jse.vic.gov.au/user/login?destination=/new-home-page> portal.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 
Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. 
Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Please apply to submit your interest in this position.