Aboriginal Engagement Advisor - Vic Various

About this role

• Various Aboriginal Engagement Advisor roles.
• Ongoing full time and one part time opportunities.
• VPS grade 4: $97,955 - $111,142 salary plus superannuation

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking various Aboriginal Engagement Advisor roleswithin the Workforce and Aboriginal Outcomes division of Corrections Victoria.

This is an Aboriginal designated position, classified under 'special measures' of section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About the Business Unit

The Workforce and Aboriginal Outcomes division of Corrections Victoria leads the design, development, implementation and monitoring of CV policies, programs and services aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people within the Victorian correctional system and manage initiatives related to the Safer prisons, Safer People, Safer Communities reform agenda. The division is made up of three teams Cultural Review and Workforce Strategy, Naalamba Ganbu and Nerrlinggu Yilam* (the Yilam) and Aboriginal Operational Strategic Supports.

This role sits within the Yilam team which is responsible for leading the design, development, implementation and monitoring of CV policies, programs and services aimed at reducing the over-representation of Aboriginal people within the Victorian correctional system. The Yilam seeks to do this by working in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal community, related agencies, and CV staff to understand the needs of Aboriginal people in the correctional system to ensure effective policies, programs and services are in place. The Yilam's motto is Our People, Our Priority, Our Pride.

About the role:

The Aboriginal Engagement Advisor (AEA) is a frontline role that is prison based providing state-wide coverage to prison locations. The AEA will conduct outward facing responsibilities which will consist of building effective relationships with Aboriginal communities and organisations while supporting Aboriginal staff at locations and will be an escalation point for Aboriginal Wellbeing Officers (AWOs).

The AEA will create and strengthen linkages between the prison locations, Community Correctional Services, Aboriginal Community organisations, post release support agencies and the Victorian Aboriginal community. The AEA is required to provide cultural supervision and support to prison-based AWOs and liaise with stakeholders to coordinate engagement within the prisons. The AEA will be in consistent contact with AWO's within their region/precinct and will provide advice and support to the AWO's with any issues that arise that are impacting Aboriginal prisoners.The AEA reports to the Assistant Manager Programs and Projects in the Naalamba Ganbu and Nerrlinggu Yilam team in Corrections Victoria.

The AEA will work out of multiple prison locations which will be adjusted based on operational demand. A driver licence is essential for this role with regular travel to prison locations required.

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Provide senior advice and support to multiple prison locations on cultural matters.
• Work closely with the local Aboriginal Community, ACCO's, other service providers and government departments, engagement and developing trust with the Community.
• Provide face to face, on-site assistance to AWO's and Aboriginal prisoners as required
• Create and strengthen linkages between the prison locations, Community Correctional Services, Aboriginal Community organisations, post release support agencies and the Victorian Aboriginal community.

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.
• Experience in supervising staff that are working with Aboriginal clients with a complex trauma background.
• Demonstrated ability to manage relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including Aboriginal stakeholders
• Sound understanding of the custodial environment including Commissioners Requirements and operating procedures.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Relevant experience in and with complex needs of Aboriginal people and environments is highly desirable
• A driver licence is required for this role
• This is a frontline role that services multiple locations which will vary depending on staffing levels and prisoner numbers thus ability to work across multiple locations is required for this role.
• This is a designated role – A Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) must be provided prior to being appointed to the role.

Aboriginal applicants are welcome to utilise support from the Aboriginal Recruitment Team throughout the recruitment process and are encouraged to contact aboriginalrecruitment@justice.vic.gov.auif they would like cultural support and guidance through the application process.

For more information regarding Aboriginal employment and our Aboriginal Workforce Unit, please visit: Aboriginal employment | Department of Justice and Community Safety Victoria

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

How to Apply

For Aboriginal Designated and Prioritised positions, a Certificate of Aboriginality (CoA) will be required prior to an offer of employment being made.

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.