Senior Policy Officer - Treaty

• Utilise your Policy expertise to provide support and advice to Aboriginal Justice Policy Reform Unit.
• Fixed term, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 5: $106,534 - $128,897 plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety (the department) is seeking a Senior Policy Officer - Treaty to provide a critical role within Aboriginal Justice Policy Reform 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 deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians. The group works in close partnership with Victorian Aboriginal communities and is guided by principles of Aboriginal self-determination in the justice sector.
The Aboriginal Justice Policy Reform Unit (AJPRU) drives structural and systemic transformation and coordinates efforts across the department to improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians through policy development, legislative reform, and genuine commitment to self-determination. The AJPRU has primary responsibility for coordinating the delivery of the Aboriginal Justice Group's law and policy reform agenda. The AJPRU coordinates the department's involvement in the Victorian Treaty process and work closely with the department of Premier and Cabinet, which leads the State's Treaty negotiations.
About the Role
As the Senior Policy Officer - Treaty, you will report to the Executive Treaty Coordinator, AJPRU, and as a team, lead the department's coordination and engagement in the Victorian treaty process including through input into the State's treaty negotiation strategy and positions, influencing the development of treaty content relevant to the department and participation into whole of government processes. This includes supporting existing Aboriginal justice partnerships, particularly Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja – Phase 4 of the Aboriginal Justice Agreement and close engagement with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, facilitating continuity and consideration of the impacts of Treaty across the justice sector.
Some of your duties will include:

• Report directly to the Executive Treaty Coordinator and work closely with other units in the Aboriginal Justice Group.
• Contribute expertise and knowledge and lead research, to support the development of policy advice, including undertaking complex research and analysis, to inform department positions on Statewide Treaty matters.
• Lead the preparation of briefings, correspondence and presentation materials on Statewide Treaty negotiation matters, and department positions.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.
About you
To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Strong working knowledge of the Victorian Treaty process including legislation, policy, agreements and frameworks, and demonstrated understanding of the Victorian Government's Aboriginal self-determination agenda.
• Strong negotiation and collaboration skills.
• Knowledge of Cabinet processes and Government decision-making processes.
• Demonstrated professional or lived experience commitment to the rights of Aboriginal people in Victoria, including cultural rights, self-determination, Treaty and Truth.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal community, both society and culture, and the issues impacting it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law, public policy, Aboriginal affairs or similar is desired.

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.
FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES:

• For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.
• For all VPS employees, due to the new Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) policy, please apply through the JSE to be eligible to be considered for this position in the first round.

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.