Project and Policy Officer

About this role

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking aProject and Policy Officerwithin our Stolen Generations Reparations Unit.

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.

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) was established to implement the Reparations Package to help address the trauma and suffering caused by the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, culture and Country. The Advisory Committee (AC) is an all-Aboriginal body that meets quarterly to provide advice on the implementation of the Package. The Independent Assessment Panel (Panel) determines the eligibility of applications to the Package and, in its capacity as a Review Panel, reconsiders the eligibility of applications found ineligible for the Package. The Panel ensures that determinations of applications are made by an Aboriginal-led body at arm's length from government and that any decision-making for monetary reparations includes Aboriginal people.

About the role:

As the Project and Policy Officer, Research and Assessment, you will manage the Secretariats for the AC and the Panel including the coordination and administration of meetings, meeting papers, correspondence, briefing, action register and associated tasks, and provide support to senior colleagues in the development of policy, processes and briefings to deliver the Stolen Generations Reparations Package.

This role requires strong organisation and communication skills, including demonstrated experience of writing for government and knowledge of government systems. It will support key activities that involve working with Aboriginal people who have lived experience of trauma and in depth understanding of both the principles of cultural safety, and the gravity of this reform for impacted Aboriginal Victorians.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Provide key support and secretariat services for all meetings of the AC and the Panel including, coordination of meetings, circulating agendas and meeting documents in a timely manner, ensuring meeting minutes are properly recorded and distributed and responses to members' requests, arranging facilities and performing other similar duties.
• Assist with the development of meeting papers and other project papers, including reports, analyses, governance documents and presentations.
  • Monitor and report on project status, participate in and facilitate project meetings and prepare a range of project documents as required.
  • Maintain effective documentation and records, ensuring relevant minutes, reports, submissions and correspondence are reviewed and filed accurately.
  • Prepare briefs to the Director, SGRU on Panel decisions.

About you

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.
• Demonstrated experience providing secretariat support to a board, advisory group or similar.
• Demonstrated experience in contributing to the development of policy, procedures and briefings.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and/or coordinating efficient project administration systems and processes, including data analysis and visualisation.

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 more information regarding Aboriginal employment and our Aboriginal Workforce Unit, please visit: Aboriginal employment | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria

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

How to Apply

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.

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.