Senior Policy and Projects Officer - Aboriginal Youth Health

About this role

• Develop policies that support the delivery of health services and offending behaviour interventions for Aboriginal young people in the Youth Justice system
• Ongoing, Full time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 5: Salary range $105,479 - $127,621 plus superannuation

 

Justice Health is seeking a motivated person with a solid research and policy background, and a strong interest in Aboriginal health and wellbeing to join the team.

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 us

Justice Health is the business unit of the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) responsible for health, mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) services in Victoria's prisons and Youth Justice centres. Justice Health is also responsible for the delivery of rehabilitation services across the Youth Justice custodial and community system. Justice Health sets the standards for the delivery of these services, monitors service delivery, and manages contracts with service providers for public prisons and Youth Justice.

Justice Health works in collaboration with other DJCS areas such as Corrections Victoria and Youth Justice, as well as the Department of Health and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing to fulfil these functions. This collaboration helps to ensure that young people in custody are effectively transitioned to the community, and that rehabilitation and mental health services are provided to young people on community-based orders or parole.

Justice Health works in partnership with the Aboriginal community, under the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement Burra Lotjpa Dunguludja, to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities through active participation in the Aboriginal Justice Forum and associated Collaborative Working Groups.

 

What does a Senior Policy and Projects Officer do?

The Senior Policy and Projects Officer will work closely with Aboriginal Health and Clinical Governance teams, Aboriginal Youth Justice and relevant stakeholders to:

• enhance the cultural safety of health, mental health and rehabilitation service provision for Aboriginal young people under the supervision of Youth Justice
• lead the development of the Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing plan
• develop cultural strengthening programs which address Aboriginal young people's needs and offending behaviour
• develop cultural safety standards for health, mental health and rehabilitation services in the Youth Justice environment
• support the implementation of recommendations from the Royal Commission into Mental Health, the Aboriginal Youth Justice strategy, and the Aboriginal Justice Forum.

 

What skills should a Senior Policy and Projects Officer have?

• demonstrated knowledge and understanding of the Aboriginal community, society and culture and the issues impacting on these with the ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with the Victorian Aboriginal community and stakeholders
• demonstrated knowledge and understanding of health and/or mental health issues as they relate to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and young people
• experience providing policy advice, conducting research or leading projects on a range of health or human services issues
• strong stakeholder management, written and verbal communication skills.

Understanding of the Youth Justice system and clinical service delivery, or a tertiary qualification in allied or public health, is also desirable.

For detailed information on the opportunity, please refer to the attached position description or contact Kyra Low on 0455 459 357 or at kyra.low@justice.vic.gov.au

What's in it for you?

At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we provide every person with the means to achieve their potential through ongoing learning and development opportunities in a diverse, equitable and supportive environment.

All candidates are given the opportunity to utilise support from the Aboriginal Employment Team throughout the recruitment process with the team contactable via email at aboriginal.employment@justice.vic.gov.au

We have various staff support networks in place including a state-wide Aboriginal Staff Network, Aboriginal Youth Network and regional Aboriginal Staff Networks. These networks assist in developing and retaining Aboriginal staff through peer support, professional and personal development, establishing connections and providing valuable cultural peer support from other Aboriginal staff members.

We look for people who are prepared to do their very best in line with our values and behaviours. Our values shape and influence how we recruit, train and develop our staff and build relationships with stakeholders.

 

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 national police checks 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.

FOR INTERNAL VPS EMPLOYEES:

• For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform.
• For all VPS employees, due to the new Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) policy, please apply through the JSE to be eligible to be considered for this position in the first round.

 

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.