• Support the design, planning and delivery of a new self-determined grants program to support Aboriginal Victorians on remand and bail.
• 2 x Fixed Term, Full-Time Opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS5 Grade : $113,022 - $136,747plus superannuation.

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking 2 Senior Program Officers to provide a critical role within the Koori Justice Unit

This is a prioritised 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.

About the Business Unit

The Koori Justice Unit (KJU) is responsible for the stewardship, coordination, and implementation of Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Phase 4 (AJA4), a formal partnership with Aboriginal communities to reduce Aboriginal over-representation and improve justice outcomes KJU provides coordination and support to the Aboriginal Justice Forum (AJF) and its associated partnership mechanisms, to deliver on the goals of the AJA. It is responsible for leading effective engagement with the department's key Aboriginal partnership, the Aboriginal Justice Caucus, and other Aboriginal stakeholders.

About the Role

As part of the 2025-26 State Budget, funding of $20 million was allocated to a new self-determined grants program to support Aboriginal Victorians on remand and on bail. Reporting to the Manager and working within a small team, the Senior Program Officer will be responsible for working alongside community partners to design, develop and coordinate the new grants program.

Work will be driven by close engagement with the Aboriginal Justice Caucus and Forum, ensuring community voice is at the heart of KJU's work.

Some of your duties will include:

• Work alongside stakeholders, the Aboriginal Policy and Reform Unit, and Evidence and Insights Unit to analyse the impact of the Victorian Government's 2025 legislative changes to Bail laws on Aboriginal communities to inform the design of the grants program.
• Design, develop and implement a new self-determined grants program to address risks associated with legislative changes to Aboriginal Victorians on remand and bail, ensuring objectives, timelines and outcomes are achieved in alignment with strategic priorities and community needs.
• Embed self-determination and cultural safety principles throughout the grant program's design and implementation, ensuring community voice and AJA-related governance structures are central to decision-making.

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 understanding of the Aboriginal community, both society and culture and the issues impacting on it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and work effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community.
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian Aboriginal community and demonstrated experience and understanding of Aboriginal programs within the justice system. Co-lead the development and implementation of new policies, programs and initiatives.

Qualifications/requirements

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law, public policy, Aboriginal affairs or similar is desired.

How to Apply

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 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.