Senior Policy and Project Officer

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC in Melbourne is seeking a Senior Policy and Project Officer to deliver initiatives that improve separations across the adult custodial system, with a focus on governance, data and stakeholder engagement.

The role supports the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner and contributes to the Prison Workforce Strategy, with travel to various prison locations as required.

Qualifications

• A relevant tertiary qualification, and/or training related to the delivery of correctional services, would be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to developing and implementing initiatives to uplift separations across the adult custodial system.
• Prepare reports, briefs, options papers and staff communications to support project delivery.
• Build strong relationships with prison staff and stakeholders to identify risks, opportunities and trends.

Education

Relevant tertiary qualification in correctional services

Job description

Department of Justice and Community Safety VIC – Melbourne VIC

• Contribute to key initiatives to improve separation practices across the adult custodial system.
• Fixed term, full time opportunity until 2 July 2027.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking a Senior Policy and Project Officer to help deliver initiatives that improve separations across the adult custodial system, with a focus on strategic communication, project reporting, and stakeholder engagement.

About the Business Unit

Corrections Victoria's purpose is to enhance community safety through the operation of safe and humane community corrections, adult prison and post-sentence systems that supports reducing reoffending by delivering on the fundamentals of good order and control in prisons, a professional and skilled workforce, case management and programs and services that address the root causes of offending behaviour.

About the Role

The Workforce Capability and Cultural Reform team are seeking a Senior Policy and Project Officer to contribute to meaningful reform across Victoria's prison system. Supporting the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, Workforce and Aboriginal Outcomes, the team leads initiatives that strengthen workforce capability and deliver key commitments under Corrections Victoria's Prison Workforce Strategy.

As the Senior Policy and Projects Officer, you will play an important role in separation reform across the adult custodial system. You will help improve governance of longer-term separations, strengthen data and insights, and work closely with prisons to support safer outcomes for staff and people in prison.

This position will be primarily based at 50 Franklin Street, Melbourne, and will also require travel to and work at other prison locations across Victoria as needed.

Some of your key responsibilities will include:

• contributing to the development and implementation of initiatives to uplift separations across the adult custodial system
• preparing reports, briefs, options papers and staff communications to support project delivery
• building strong relationships with prison-based staff and other stakeholders to identify and address emerging issues, risks, opportunities and trends

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description. For specific queries, please contact Sarah Mitchell - A/Policy and Projects Manager, Safer Separations at **************@justice.vic.gov.au.

About you

• knowledge of key issues and trends affecting correctional services
• strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work through complex operational, policy and legal issues
• proven project delivery skills and the ability to think strategically, manage priorities and respond to emerging issues
• strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build relationships and work collaboratively in a complex environment.

Qualifications/requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification, and/or training related to the delivery of correctional services, would be desirable.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check (NCCHC) 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 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.