• Position: ​Full time fixed term – 12 months
• Salary: ​​VPS 5
• Location: ​Level 18, 570 Bourke Street Melbourne – the Commission encourages and ​​supports flexible work and hybrid working models.

The Commission is an independent statutory body that promotes improvement in policies and practices affecting the safety and wellbeing of Victorian children and young people. It has a particular focus on vulnerable children and young people. The Commission is also the regulator for the Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme. The Commission supports flexible and hybrid working models. The position sits within the Koori Advisory and Engagement unit.

About us

Reporting to the Manager, Koori Advisory and Engagement, the Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer is part of a small team that provides specialist advice on issues specific to Aboriginal children and young people, with a focus on those in contact or involved with child protection, out-of-home care and youth justice systems. As a result, cultural awareness and proven ability to manage stakeholder relationships in Aboriginal communities are a critical part of the role. 

In doing this, the team represents the two Commissioners with external stakeholders, including community and partner agencies, and works across the broader Commission to ensure Aboriginal issues and perspectives are reflected across all the work of the Commission when advocating for the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

About you

As our ideal candidate, you will be suitable to work with and on issues relevant to Aboriginal children and young people and you will:

• work collaboratively with other teams across the Commission, providing and promoting culturally specific insights into policy, practices and services affecting Aboriginal children and young people, especially those in contact or involved with out-of-home care, child protection and youth justice systems. 
• provide timely and high quality advice on complex and sensitive policy issues and proposals and preparing and reviewing reports and briefings as required for the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Senior Management Team and Manager, Koori Advisory and Engagement.  
• in partnership with members of the Koori Advisory and Engagement Team, create and facilitate opportunities for Aboriginal children and young people and communities to be involved in the work of the Commission including by sharing their views and experiences.
• establish and maintain stakeholder relationships with Aboriginal youth organisations and advisory groups in areas of relevance to the Commission’s work.

What we can offer you

• Flexible working arrangements
• A friendly and supportive working environment.
• Training and development opportunities.
• Our office building provides:
  • free access to the building’s lifestyle centre including a gym, secure bicycles storage, shower rooms with hair dryers, straighteners, ironing board and fresh towels
  • free Parcel Lockers – no more missing deliveries or rushing home to meet the courier.

How to Apply

Please include a resume and covering letter and submit your application via the "Apply Now" button.

There will be questions pertaining to a number of the position's Key Selection Criteria to which you are required to respond. There is no need to respond to the selection criteria itself.

The Commission is headed by the Principal Commissioner, Liana Buchanan, and the Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Meena Singh.

A position description is attached.