Senior Legal Policy Officer

* Utilise your expertise to provide support and advice to key stakeholders.
* Fixed term to 30 June 2026 Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
* VPS Grade 5: $10+,730 - $132,764 plus superannuation.

This is an Aboriginal Prioritized position, a 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.
Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact Aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.au if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made
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 connect, support and deliver better outcomes for the Aboriginal community. The group works in partnership with Traditional Owners and the Victorian Aboriginal community to embed the principles of self-determination in the justice sector.
The Stolen Generations Reparations Unit sits within the Aboriginal Justice Group and was established in January 2022 to deliver the Stolen Generations Reparations package in Victoria. The team is committed to delivering a reparations process that is fully supported, accessible, transparent and trauma informed.
About the Role
The Senior Legal Policy Officer reports to the Senior Manager and is responsible for delivering operational and legal policy advice and documentation to support the effective implementation of the Stolen Generations Reparation Package. This position is also responsible for advising on the resolution of complex matters in accordance with the department's legal obligations and the Package's policy framework.
This position supervises the Project and Policy Officer, who delivers secretariat support to the Independent Assessment Panel and supports the research and assessment of applications to the Stolen Generations Reparation Package. The role also provides governance advice and support to the Independent Assessment Panel to facilitate decision making around eligibility to the Package.
Some of your duties will include:

* Provide strategic policy advice in relation to the continuous development and improvement of the Stolen Generations Reparations Package (Package).
* Provide internal legal policy and strategic advice in the delivery of the Stolen Generations Reparations Package, including to respond to new and emerging issues and update operational policies and procedures.
* Provide governance support to an Independent Assessment Panel to facilitate decision making around eligibility to the Package.

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:

* Demonstrated knowledge and experience of one of the following areas of Victorian law: public and administrative law.
* Excellent knowledge of Aboriginal culture and society and understanding of historical and contemporary issues relating to Aboriginal Victorians.
* Strong knowledge of, and demonstrated experience, working with Aboriginal communities and advisory groups, including sophisticated and culturally aware stakeholder engagement.
* Understanding of the policy context of the Stolen Generations Reparations Package and the Victorian Government's commitment to Aboriginal self-determination.

Qualifications

* A qualification in law from a recognised tertiary institution is highly desirable.
* A qualification in public policy or other relevant qualification, or equivalent experience, is highly desirable.

Applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Employment Team throughout the recruitment process. Aboriginal candidates are encouraged to contact Aboriginalworkforce@justice.vic.gov.au if they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.'
Please visit https://www.justice.vic.gov.au/careers/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-island-employment for further information.
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. Read more