• Work on an impactful, multi-disciplinary project 
  
• Contribute to improved awareness and trauma-informed practice in the legal system
  
• Collaborate with diverse stakeholders across sectors

This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

Primary Purpose of the role

The primary purpose of this role is to support the development and expansion of the Bugmy Bar Book Project by leading the development of educational and research materials about strengths-focused approaches to healing and wellbeing for people in contact with the legal system.

The Bugmy Bar Book Project publishes high quality, accessible summaries of key research relating to various experiences which may impact people in contact with the legal system. This project seeks to promote improved understanding of the impacts of these lived experiences within the legal profession in order to facilitate appropriate, evidence-based legal outcomes.

Why join the ALS team?

At the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) you can make an impact. You will join a strong movement fighting for social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities.

Our focus is our people: the people we support and the people we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our people and appreciate the rich diversity of lived experiences, languages, and culture.

Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation delivering high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in NSW and the ACT. It’s an exciting time to be joining us.

We recently received additional funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating significant opportunities for the ALS, our staff and communities.

As well as the satisfaction of working in a job that really matters, we offer our staff benefits including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%
• Career and professional development opportunities
• Access to personal counselling for you and your family
• Additional paid leave of up to 6 days per year, paid parental and study leave
• Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you

About the role

The Senior Policy and Project Officer is part of the Bugmy Bar Book Project Team within the Justice Projects, Policy & Practice division. The position holder will:

• Contribute to research and development of resources to assist legal practitioners, courts and others to identify culturally safe, trauma informed and disability informed supports and programs for client referrals
• Assist with commissioning research and contribute to publications and resources which focus on strengths-based approaches for people in contact with the legal system
• Undertake consultation and engagement with stakeholders in the community-controlled and mainstream health and justice sectors to identify opportunities for collaboration
• Deliver information sessions and education to a variety of stakeholders and professionals working across the legal assistance sector, health sector and community sector
• Contribute to monitoring and reporting against project deliverables to project funders
• Contribute to promotion of the project, including the project’s aims and purpose
• Travel to regional and interstate locations for work purposes as required
• Perform other reasonable duties as directed
• Adhere to ALS’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, work practices and rules
• Demonstrate a commitment to and behaviours that aligns to ALS Values and ALS Code of Conduct

KEY SKILLS AND Competencies

Essential

• Identify and be recognised in the community as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person – this is an identified position under Section 14 (d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act, 1977
• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities and employees
• Proven capacity to identify and understand systemic issues experienced by vulnerable people in contact with the legal system
• Demonstrated client-facing experience in social work, case work or community services, or other relevant area
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety, trauma-informed practice and holistic, wraparound approaches to service delivery for vulnerable clients
• Demonstrated understanding of key elements of project development and delivery
• Demonstrated research, analytical and information management skills and the ability to use these for policy and program initiatives
• Ability to work collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal skills
• Ability to travel to metropolitan and regional areas for work purposes
• Ability to adapt to change and work in a start-up environment

Desirable

• Diploma of Social Work, Psychology, Health, Counselling, Public Policy or related field, or equivalent qualifications
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in one or more of the above fields
• Demonstrated experience in project management, education or research

Pre-employment requirements:

ALS is committed to implementing safe recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations and National Police History check

If you have questions about this role, please email [email protected], using the subject line: Senior Policy and Project Officer - Bugmy Bar Book enquiry via EthicalJobs.