Legal Policy Advisor

About the role:

The Legislative Policy Unit is responsible for crafting Victoria Police's response to all of the Government's proposed legislative reforms and also its own proactive requests for law reform, ensuring a consistent and considered organisational position is presented. We are a busy team offering an outstanding quality of work and a great diversity of issues - on any given day you could work on major and organised crime, firearms, covert services, forensics, road safety, family violence, just to name a few.

Our unit is visible throughout the entire organisation and its work directly contributes to community safety.

The main objectives of our unit are to:

• Consider legislative or policy proposals initiated outside Victoria Police and develop responses to external agencies and bodies
• Assess, develop and manage internal requests for legislative change
• Coordinate responses to Cabinet submissions
• Advocate for, and negotiate, positive reform outcomes for policing and community safety
• Provide advice and support on legislative changes across Victoria Police.

The unit sits within the Policy and Legislation Division (PLD), Capability Department. PLD is a dynamic and high-performing division that operates across the policy life cycle from initiation, development and implementation of legislative reform at a national and state level, through to the development of organisational policy. It also provides executive advisory services. PLD staff are agile, giving you the opportunity to work across multiple functions and subject matters to support the broader team in delivering organisational priorities. PLD has a strong culture of service excellence, teamwork, inclusion and support across work units to achieve positive outcomes for Victoria Police and the wider community.

Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• Provide advice on issues of government policy, legislation and cross-agency/inter-jurisdictional engagement.
• Support the management and coordination of responses to legislative change proposals from Government, including through the development of whole of organisation responses to Cabinet submissions within tight timelines.
• Identify, monitor and assess legislative trends and changes which may impact on the strategic direction of the organisation and inform the establishment of a legislative development agenda.
• Prepare high quality written briefs to ensure the delivery of authoritative and informed policy advice and options for Executive Command regarding legislative issues affecting contemporary policing.
• Undertake high level research and critical analysis.
• Build and sustain partnerships and networks with key internal and external stakeholders to assist with meeting organisational objectives.
• Perform duties more broadly across PLD to support legislative proposals and reforms, implementation and/or other necessary duties to enable enhanced interoperability.

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• Proven experience in the development of complex policies, procedures and guidelines and the ability to provide policy advice to government, senior levels of an organisation and key external
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills and proven ability to effectively negotiate complex
• Demonstrated experience in developing, maintaining and strengthening relationships, both internally and externally, with key clients and
• Proven ability to monitor client and stakeholder satisfaction and constructively manage stakeholder issues to ensure positive outcomes.
• Legal qualifications are not mandatory but will be highly regarded.

Requirements and relevant information:

• One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available.
• This position is located at Victoria Police Centre, 311 Spencer Street, Docklands.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo National Security Vetting, achieve and maintain a security classification as determined by the Department Head. To achieve this, applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.

Your application must include:

• Resume
• Cover letter

Applications close midnight 29 April 2024.

Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) website, Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic) or Seek. Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.

Current Victorian Government employees must apply via Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE). 

For further information, please contact: Acting Assistant Director Leigh Davis at ***********@police.vic.gov.au.

We welcome applications from people with disability. If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirement/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email **************@police.vic.gov.au or on (03) 8335 8***.

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety. 

Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.

Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/vps