Senior Governance Adviser

Victorian-Equal-Opportunity-and-Human-Rights-Commission; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 143,000 - 167,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Superannuation

Job summary

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is seeking a senior governance adviser to support equal opportunity and human rights. Based in Melbourne, you will guide planning, risk and governance, and advise senior leaders and the board.

This fixed-term, full-time role lasts 18 months, with a competitive salary range and generous superannuation. You will influence public service decisions and help shape a fair, safe, and inclusive Victoria.

Qualifications

• Experience providing expert advice on equal opportunity and human rights.
• Experience supporting boards and committees, with knowledge of government processes and governance or the ability to learn quickly.
• Strong writing skills to draft, edit and check complex documents with care.
• Sound judgement to solve problems, build working relationships and respond calmly to change.

Responsibilities

• provide clear advice to the commissioner, board and leaders on plans, risks and decisions
• coordinate business plans and track progress towards agreed goals
• prepare and check accurate reports, speeches, letters and briefing notes
• organise board and committee meetings, prepare papers and record key decisions
• maintain effective policies and records for risk, integrity, privacy and information security.

Skills

expert advice

board & committee support

strong writing

sound judgment

Education

Tertiary qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Occupation: Governance and risk management

Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/DJ3577OCTOBER2026

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission is an independent statutory body with responsibilities under three Victorian laws - the Equal Opportunity Act 2010, the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001 and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006.

Our vision is for a fair, safe, and inclusive Victoria where every person is respected and treated with dignity. We work with others to eliminate inequality and build a community that respects and promotes human rights and equal opportunity.

We are a small and buzzing organisation that embraces creativity, accountability, rigour, and empathy as our values. Our teams are filled with highly-motivated, conscientious and collaborative people who love what they do and uphold our values.

We know that our work has the greatest impact when it is informed by diverse experiences and perspectives.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with disabilities to apply.

We strive to build and maintain an inclusive workplace that brings out the best in our people and we support flexible work arrangements.

If you have the skills to do this job and think you'd be a good fit for our organisation, we'd love to hear from you!

• Help shape decisions that support equal opportunity and human rights.
• Advise senior leaders and guide the work of the board.
• Use your judgement to solve problems and improve public services.
• Build your skills across planning, risk and governance.
• Fixed-term, full-time role lasting 18 months, earning $142,790 - $166,938 per year, plus super.

About us

The Corporate Services Branch maximises the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission

(VEOHRC/the Commission) ability to achieve its strategic objectives through supporting and enabling a professional,

engaged and high performing workforce and culture. The branch provides a strong internal service culture that is

responsive to the strategic and operational needs of the organisation in the areas of people and culture, information

management and technology, finance, audit and risk, governance, business planning and performance.

What you will do

As senior governance adviser, you will help the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission make sound decisions. You will guide planning, support leaders and help staff meet their duties.

You will:

• provide clear advice to the commissioner, board and leaders on plans, risks and decisions
• coordinate business plans and track progress towards agreed goals
• prepare and check accurate reports, speeches, letters and briefing notes
• organise board and committee meetings, prepare papers and record key decisions
• maintain effective policies and records for risk, integrity, privacy and information security.

About you

You do not need a mandatory qualification. You will ideally bring a relevant tertiary qualification or equivalent experience.

You should also have:

• experience providing expert advice on equal opportunity and human rights
• experience supporting boards and committees, with knowledge of government processes and governance or the ability to learn quickly
• strong writing skills to draft, edit and check complex documents with care
• sound judgement to solve problems, build working relationships and respond calmly to change.

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (Aboriginal) people are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about our Aboriginal workforce strategy.

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.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

Child safe statement of commitment

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and youn g 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.

Applications close Tuesday 17 November 2026 at 11.59pm