• Great opportunity to join Corrections and Justice Services
• Make a positive difference in keeping our community safe
• Attractive salary between $101,120 - $122,348 + superannuation
• Fixed term, full time opportunity until 31 December 2021

Exciting opportunity to join Policy, Strategy and Service Design as the Senior Policy and Projects Officer on a fixed term, full time basis until 31 December 2021.

What does the Policy, Strategy and Service Design team do?

Policy, Strategy and Service Design (which is part of the Corrections and Justice Services Division) is responsible for policy reform, program development and design, and strengthening engagement with service sector partners.

Joining this team of six, you will play an important role in significant state-wide policy and priority projects relating to mental health and substance abuse emerging issues within the justice system.

What will the Senior Policy and Projects Officer do?

The Senior Policy and Projects Officer will report to the Manager, Alcohol and Other Drugs and Mental Health and be responsible for contributing to the development of significant state-wide policy and priority projects in response to emerging issues. This includes preparing and coordinating detailed and complex reports and briefings, responding to Parliamentary questions, correspondence, undertaking research and leading projects related to corrections policy and service design.

The role operates within a complex and dynamic environment that requires a capacity to exercise sound judgement, and the ability to proactively develop and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders, using influence and negotiation skills to support the provision of clear advice to support effective, timely actions.

What skills should a Senior Policy and Projects Officer have?

Core to being successful in this role will be your ability to understand new subject matter quickly, demonstrate appropriate initiative, and your capacity to write accurate, timely and audience-appropriate strategic documents, briefings and issues papers.

In addition, as our ideal candidate you will have:

• Sound knowledge of and/or experience in Victorian Government administrative processes.
• Exposure to significant or complex programs or policy initiatives.
• Knowledge of current policy direction, research and issues within corrections and the criminal justice system more broadly, or the ability to understand these issues quickly.
• Strong conceptual and analytical skills with ability to analyse complex operational, policy and legal issues.

People with a lived experience of mental illness, or as a carer for a person with a mental illness, are strongly encouraged to apply.

To learn more about the type of skills you will need to thrive in this role, please read the position description.

What's in it for you?

You will be working for the Department of Justice and Community Safety, which is one arm of the Victorian State Government, a recognised top employer of choice nationally. All our staff work to the vision of a safe, just, innovative and thriving Victoria.

There are many advantages in working for the department, including:

• Job stability – fixed term position as a member of the Victorian Public Service (VPS)
• A fair salary– enjoy great work conditions and salary sacrificing options.
• Transparent performance framework– approach your work with confidence in how you're tracking, working to professional development plans agreed on by you and your manager.
• Generous leave entitlements– provisions for many forms of leave; including personal, parental, carers, study, cultural, compassionate, and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program support – you are encouraged to use this short-term, confidential counselling service if you're experiencing emotional stress, relationship problems, conflict with others or personal issues. It is also available for financial counselling and retirement planning.

If you have any queries, please contact Patrick Moody at [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Policy and Project Officer enquiry via EthicalJobs.

We want to make sure all Victorians feel represented by the department's work. One of the ways we do this is by recruiting a diverse workforce – we welcome people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability and cultural background. We are also committed to the Victorian Government's promise to increase the number of veterans working in the public sector.

We're proud of our individual differences. We're proud of the many languages we speak and the stories we can share with each other. We hope you will share your story too.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

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 [email protected].

If this sounds like a compelling job that you believe your skills would be a great match for, please APPLY NOW.

How to Apply

Please click the Apply Now 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.