Senior Policy Officer - Treaty

Senior Policy Officer, Treaty - Fixed Term - Full Time

Senior Policy Officer, Treaty - Fixed Term - Full Time

VPS Level: VPS 5
Salary: $105,479 - $127,621
Work type: Fixed Term to 30 June 2027
Location: CBD
Occupation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander / Policy

Job description:
This position is open to all suitable candidates. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

About the role:
Treaty negotiations in Victoria will soon commence. The Department of Education (the department) is committed to supporting the Treaty process, which will provide a new foundation and resource base for Aboriginal Victorians to steer issues and decisions that affect their lives.

To coordinate the department's role in this important work, we have established two positions within the Office of the Deputy Secretary, School Education Programs and Support - an Executive Treaty Coordinator (Senior Technical Specialist) and a Senior Policy Officer - Treaty. The formal reporting line for work deliverables from the department's Treaty Unit will be directly to the Secretary, with day-to-day support from the Deputy Secretary SEPS, the Deputy Secretary's Office and the Koorie Outcomes Division.

The Senior Policy Officer - Treaty requires a 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. The successful applicant will possess strong collaboration skills and knowledge of governance processes. Professional or lived experience demonstrating commitment to the rights of First Peoples in Victoria, including cultural rights, self-determination, Treaty and Truth are highly regarded.

The DE Treaty roles will work closely with the Whole of Victorian Government (WoVG) Treaty roles in other Victorian Government departments. The department's Treaty positions will be required to build and maintain formal relationships to existing Truth, Treaty and Self-Determination teams to progress department-wide approaches to Treaty readiness, alignment, education, communication and reform work on behalf of the department.

The Senior Policy Officer - Treaty supports the Executive Treaty Coordinator and will:

• Initiate, develop and maintain working relationships across DE, particularly with the existing Self Determination team in Koorie Outcomes Division
• 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
• Develop briefings to portfolio executives on proposed Statewide Treaty positions
• Develop briefings to portfolio Ministers on Statewide Treaty progress, processes and positions to ensure portfolio Ministers are regularly informed on Treaty
• Manage engagement processes across the department and portfolio and with key internal stakeholders to test and establish department positions, under direction of the Executive Treaty Coordinator. Initiates and maintains key relationships across the department
• Lead the coordination and supports drafting of department input to Statewide Treaty Cabinet submissions, is influential in negotiations and takes responsibility for ensuring department positions are developed in alignment with the guiding principles of the Treaty Negotiation Framework
• Collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders (particularly Koorie Outcomes Division)

All applications should include a resume and cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within two pages).

For more details regarding this position please see attached position description.

The Department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website , HRWeb and our Diversity and Inclusion page.

Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person. 

Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be obtained from the following websites: www.education.vic.gov.au and http://www.education.vic.gov.au/hrweb/Pages/default.aspx.

Applications close on 23/02/2024.