Project Officer

• One ongoing opportunity based in Swan Hill or Mildura locations.
• Salary between $90,067 - $102,192+ superannuation
• Key role providing secretariat support for the Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committees (LAJAC), as well as promotion of all AJA initiatives within the region.

This is an Aboriginal Designated Position, classified under ‘special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About Us
To provide services that best meet the needs of Victoria's diverse growing needs, the Department of Justice & Community Safety is actively implementing a regional management model. Regionalising Justice operations aligns with the Victorian Government commitment to make government services more accessible to the community.
The Koori Justice Unit (KJU), within the department's Service Strategy Reform division, is primarily responsible for co-ordinating implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement (AJA) across the Victorian Government and justice system. In 1991, the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody made recommendations toward decreasing Indigenous peoples' over-representation in Australia's criminal justice system.
The AJA is the Victorian Government's primary vehicle for coordinating initiatives aiming to do this. It has established extensive Government and Community networks through the Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee Network (RAJAC) and the Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committees (LAJAC) and uses them to effectively deliver initiatives including Community Initiative Program, Night Patrol Program, Frontline Youth Initiatives Program, Koori Offender Support and Mentoring Program and other initiatives in accordance with the AJA.
What is the Local Aboriginal Justice Action Committee (LAJAC):

The LAJAC exists to:

• Identify and address justice issues that contribute to poor outcomes for the local Koori community through the development and implementation of local justice plans;
• Advocate, monitor and comment on Koori contact with the justice system at the local level;
• Promote justice related initiatives to Koori communities and government agencies;
• Promote Koori participation in the design, development, implementation and evaluation of local justice initiatives;
• Participate in and provide advice to the Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF) and related forums; and
• Develop, promote and participate in relevant and local cross agency and cross sectoral forums and initiatives.

About the role
The Project Officer reports to the Executive Officer, Loddon Mallee Regional Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee (RAJAC). The Project Officer's role includes but is not limited to, the provision of secretariat support for the LAJAC, as well as promotion of all AJA initiatives within the region.

Some of the duties will include:

• Provide secretariat support to the LAJACs, including the preparation of meeting papers, agenda, venue, catering and minute taking
• Provide a range of administrative functions to support the RAJAC Executive Officer
• Undertake other tasks as requested by the Executive Officer and Management of the KJU
• Provide research for the RAJAC Executive Officer
• Assist with a variety of investigations and projects, including the collation of data and the preparation of associated reports and correspondence
• Promote the AJA and Community Grant Programs in the region
• Coordinate the Koori Justice Network in the respective RAJAC region and assist in developing the local planning process

About you

• A demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Koori community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with the members of the Victorian Koori community.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is continually working towards increasing our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) workforce. The Aboriginal Employment Team aims to attract, recruit and retain Aboriginal staff across all our roles. This support includes a culturally appropriate attraction and recruitment process. To learn more, email aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic). Therefore, there is a requirement that all DJCS employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to undertake duties outside of their homes.
Prior to commencement of employment with the department you will need to provide evidence that you are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Upon commencement of employment with the department you will be required to provide evidence that you have an up-to-date vaccination status within the timelines specified by the department into the DJCS Service Portal. This includes evidence of all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine required by the department (from time to time).

Acceptable evidence includes:
*

• COVID-19 digital certificate or ATAGI exemption certificate (available via your myGov account)
• Your immunisation history statement (available via your myGov account)

Other documentation outside the above will not be accepted as evidence of having received your COVID-19 vaccine doses.