Company description:

Department of Communities and Justice

Job description:

Manager Aboriginal Strategic Coordination Unit,

Youth Justice

• Ongoing, Full time
• Location: Hybrid, based at 6 Parramatta Square - Parramatta
• Clerk Grade 11/12, Salary ($145,378 - $168,130 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.

About us

Youth Justice, New South Wales (YJNSW) is in a period of significant reform, and is committed to delivering improved services. We will continue to adapt our service system to better meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and communities, in accordance with Closing the Gap, Target 11 and the Closing the Gap priority reforms. Youth Justice acknowledges the importance of lived experience and how it contributes to the valuable work we do with the community. Our commitment includes working towards an anti-racist workforce which is based on the principles of cultural humility and respect.

Your role

Lead the Aboriginal Strategic Coordination Unit. Set direction, coordinate the development and implementation actions in line with the YJ Strategic Plan and the Close the Gap priority reforms.

This role is committed to building a workforce that better reflects the perspectives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities we serve.

You'll work as part of a team of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal staff who are committed to driving change in Youth Justice. You will be a voting member of the Executive Leadership Team and will have significant input into the strategic direction of Youth Justice.

We are looking for a motivated person to lead the Aboriginal Strategic Coordination Unit (ASCU). This position will play a pivotal role in ASCU and within Youth Justice, by focusing on advancing Target 11 and the Priority Reforms of the Closing the Gap framework, aiming to improve outcomes.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities, stakeholders, and government agencies to develop, implement and evaluate initiatives that promote justice reinvestment, diversion programs and culturally appropriate support service.

What you'll do

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key stakeholders to successfully deliver on strategic plans.
• Provide advice to internal and external stakeholders on programs, initiatives, policies, legislation and interventions as they relate to and impact on Aboriginal young people in the youth justice system.
• Coordinate the division's responses to whole of government initiatives
• Strategic liaison with key Aboriginal stakeholders and facilitate interaction within regions to maximise opportunities for young Aboriginal offenders to participate in community education. Liaise with Federal and State Government agencies and community organisations regarding evidence based best practice and programs to address criminogenic risk and offending.
• Develop and evaluate policies to drive effective, culturally competent interventions for Aboriginal children and young people in contact with youth justice.
• Prepare high-level reports, briefing notes and correspondence for the Executive Director and the Minister.
• Provide a regular forum to enhance opportunities for skills and career development of Aboriginal staff.
• Represent youth justice on working parties and committees.
• Participate in the Aboriginal Strategic Advisory Committee.

What we're looking for

• NSW Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012.

As an Identified role, this role is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia's First Nations people.

Where a position is identified, an applicant's race is a genuine occupational qualification and authorised by Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014

Download the role description.

If you are viewing this ad in Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to either set up a profile or login via your existing Seek account.

To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now' button.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career.
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters!

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It's work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia's top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the focus capabilities & requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

1. Can you choose 3 components/topics of Close the Gap that you think would be priorities for Youth Justice. Why do you consider them to be priorities? (no more than 2 pages)

Applications close 04 May 2025 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it's like to work for DCJ, please contact Carol Thomas - Director Policy & Practice on 0406 382 873 or via [email protected]

If you've got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Lisa Smith on 0456 199 105 via [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit.

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW' page.

Profile description:

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) is the lead agency under the Stronger Communities Cluster. DCJ works to enable everyone's right to access justice and help for families through early intervention and inclusion, with benefits for the whole community. Stronger Communities is focussed on achieving safe, just, inclusive and resilient communities by providing services that are effective and responsive to community needs.

We offer:

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career.
• Flexible, autonomous work environment
• Competitive pay and conditions
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.