Senior Program Officer (Aboriginal Community Justice Panel Professionalisation Pilot)

About This Role

• Provide high level contract/grant and tendering process management relating to the delivery of the Pilot.
• Full time, Fixed term (24 months) opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team.
• VPS5: $116,413 - $140,849 salary plus superannuation.

About The Business Unit

The Koori Justice Unit (KJU) is a unit within the Aboriginal Justice Group of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS), which has been established to help realise a clear vision of a fair and accessible justice system for Aboriginal people.

The KJU is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement – Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja – currently in its fourth phase (AJA4), in partnership with the Aboriginal community and Victorian government, in line with realising Aboriginal self-determination.

The ACJP was established in 1988 in response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. The ACJP is a statewide Aboriginal-led program supporting Aboriginal people navigating the justice system through culturally grounded advocacy, system navigation, and community-led responses.

The ACJP provides critical support to Aboriginal people in police custody across Victoria. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week across 14 service areas (with the expansion of the volunteer model to 19 service areas) and has historically relied on a largely volunteer workforce to deliver timely cultural, wellbeing support, legal, and practical assistance at points of police contact.

About The Role

The Senior Programme Officer is primarily responsible for supporting the implementation and coordination of the ACJP Professionalisation Pilot (the Pilot). The role will lead and support a range of strategic and operational activities to ensure effective delivery of the Pilot across sites of Bendigo, Mildura and Shepparton.

The Pilot aims to strengthen the sustainability, capability and effectiveness of the ACJPs in three sites by supporting culturally safe, community-led approaches that improve justice outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities across Victoria.

Working closely with ACJP Pty Ltd, the ACJP Pilot sites and voluntary based ACJPs, the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, government stakeholders, regional staff and justice sector partners, the role supports the implementation of the Pilot and broader ACJP initiatives. The position is responsible for providing high-level project and programme management support, including implementation planning, monitoring and evaluation, governance coordination, stakeholder engagement, reporting and the development of implementation tools, resources and guidance materials.

Responsibilities

• Develop a strong understanding of the ACJP volunteer service and support effective development and implementation of the ACJP Professionalisation Pilot model.
• Support the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the ACJP Professionalisation Pilot, ensuring delivery aligns with program objectives, timelines and funding requirements.
• Develop and maintain implementation tools, resources and guidance materials to support effective pilot delivery, identify and manage risks and issues, and contribute to continuous improvement through evidence-based evaluation and learning.

About You

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community and the issues impacting on it.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with members of the Victorian Aboriginal community.
• Demonstrated experience in project and programme management, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of complex programmes or pilot initiatives.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, develop practical solutions and provide evidence-based advice to support decision-making.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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.

Important Information

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.