• Salary: $83,496.14 plus 11% Superannuation 
• Location: Melbourne, Preston Office (273 High Street)
• Contract: Full-time, fixed term 12 months

This is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander identified position (special provisions of the s12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act.

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

Overview

The Senior Policy and Community Engagement Officer engages with Aboriginal communities so that VALS policy and advocacy work is led by the community to promote self-determined advocacy and outcomes. Community engagement will include in-person events across Victoria and work with VALS’ clients. The Senior Policy and Community Engagement Officer will work with Policy, Communications and Strategy team colleagues and across VALS to develop advocacy that supports Aboriginal communities priorities.

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

Community Engagement

• Develop and implement a community engagement plan for the Policy, Communications and Strategy team
• Support VALS’ clients who wish to engage in policy and advocacy in relation to the legal system
• Engage with other Aboriginal organisations and stakeholders
• Travel across Victoria to engage with Aboriginal communities and VALS clients.

Policy, research and advocacy 

• Contribute to the core work of the Policy, Communications and Strategy team. This includes research and policy development, government and stakeholder engagement, communications and media activities, and assistance to other VALS teams.
• Research, write and prepare position papers, reports and submissions as relevant for diverse stakeholders including the VALS Board and to aid implementation of VALS’ Policy, research and advocacy strategy.
• Work actively with Aboriginal communities and VALS’ clients to centre their views and experiences in VALS policy and research and specific campaigns, policy and advocacy materials and communication strategies.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Policy, Communications and Strategy team to enhance VALS’ public advocacy.
• Develop, participate in and coordinate research projects where relevant.

Stakeholder management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external

stakeholders, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), research institutions, Government and community legal organisations

• Develop and participate in relevant coalitions to enhance VALS advocacy
• Contribute to the building of VALS profile through research activities and partnerships with external organisations and the wider community
• Develop and present on VALS Policy, Research & Advocacy activities at meetings and conferences as required.

Internal Obligations

• Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan
• Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings
• Mentoring and support Policy, Communications and Strategy team members
• Supervise and guide other Policy staff, contractors and volunteers
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed

Personal accountability

• Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion.
• Ensure appropriate use of resources
• Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
• Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required) and promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
• Attend any mandatory training.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Relevant qualifications such as Bachelor or Masters degree in Law, Politics, Communications or Journalism and/or extensive experience in policy analysis and advocacy.
2. Demonstrated advocacy, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills including in effectively engaging communities in policy or advocacy development.
3. Well-developed policy and analytical skills
4. Ability to work autonomously and to collaborate in a small team environment
5. High level organisational and administrative skills including the ability to prioritise workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
6. Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software
7. Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.

 Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

Overview

The Senior Policy and Community Engagement Officer engages with Aboriginal communities so that VALS policy and advocacy work is led by the community to promote self-determined advocacy and outcomes. Community engagement will include in-person events across Victoria and work with VALS’ clients. The Senior Policy and Community Engagement Officer will work with Policy, Communications and Strategy team colleagues and across VALS to develop advocacy that supports Aboriginal communities priorities.

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

Community Engagement

• Develop and implement a community engagement plan for the Policy, Communications and Strategy team
• Support VALS’ clients who wish to engage in policy and advocacy in relation to the legal system
• Engage with other Aboriginal organisations and stakeholders
• Travel across Victoria to engage with Aboriginal communities and VALS clients.

Policy, research and advocacy 

• Contribute to the core work of the Policy, Communications and Strategy team. This includes research and policy development, government and stakeholder engagement, communications and media activities, and assistance to other VALS teams.
• Research, write and prepare position papers, reports and submissions as relevant for diverse stakeholders including the VALS Board and to aid implementation of VALS’ Policy, research and advocacy strategy.
• Work actively with Aboriginal communities and VALS’ clients to centre their views and experiences in VALS policy and research and specific campaigns, policy and advocacy materials and communication strategies.
• Work closely with colleagues in the Policy, Communications and Strategy team to enhance VALS’ public advocacy.
• Develop, participate in and coordinate research projects where relevant.

Stakeholder management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external

stakeholders, including Aboriginal community-controlled organisations (ACCOs), National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (NATSILS) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS), research institutions, Government and community legal organisations

• Develop and participate in relevant coalitions to enhance VALS advocacy
• Contribute to the building of VALS profile through research activities and partnerships with external organisations and the wider community
• Develop and present on VALS Policy, Research & Advocacy activities at meetings and conferences as required.

Internal Obligations

• Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan
• Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings
• Mentoring and support Policy, Communications and Strategy team members
• Supervise and guide other Policy staff, contractors and volunteers
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed

Personal accountability

• Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the principles of social justice and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity and respect regardless of their background, ability, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation or religion.
• Ensure appropriate use of resources
• Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
• Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required) and promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
• Attend any mandatory training.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Relevant qualifications such as Bachelor or Masters degree in Law, Politics, Communications or Journalism and/or extensive experience in policy analysis and advocacy.
2. Demonstrated advocacy, relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills including in effectively engaging communities in policy or advocacy development.
3. Well-developed policy and analytical skills
4. Ability to work autonomously and to collaborate in a small team environment
5. High level organisational and administrative skills including the ability to prioritise workload, work under pressure and meet deadlines
6. Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software
7. Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.

Salary Offering: $35.05 per hour

Location: From Home

This role is a casual position

This is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander identified position (special provisions of S12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act)

OVERVIEW

The Custody Notification Officer acts as liaison between the VALS Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons taken into custody by the police. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1.  Respond to e-justice notifications, the on-call Client Support Officer (CSO), the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) or Victoria Police when advised that an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person is being held in custody;

2.    Contact the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person in custody, provide basic information, conduct a welfare check and coordinate for legal advice from the VALS on-call solicitor. Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the police and legal profession, not using legal jargon. Where appropriate, take notes of the history of the client’s case and provide them to the solicitor;

3.    Liaise and network with other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and agencies to promote VALS and be aware of programs that will assist in the prevention or reduction of crime within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community;

4.  Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service;

5.  Perform administrative tasks to ensure effective service delivery to VALS clients, including updating records, providing activity reports and attending staff meetings

6.   As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

KEY SELECTION CRETERIA 

1. A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system and an understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities;
2. Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
3. The ability to work in a multi-disciplinary environment;
4. Intermediate computer skills, with demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
5. Ability to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and acknowledge their diverse backgrounds, personalities and varying needs and the unique cultural ways in which they may be expressed.

Salary Offering: $75,566.40 – $81,317.60 plus 11% Superannuation 

Office Location 273 High Street Preston, Vic, 3072

This role is a full time fixed term role for 2 years.

This is an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander identified position (special provisions of S12(1) of the Equal Opportunity Act)

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave 
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia

The primary responsibility of the Family Support and Advocacy Officer (Coronial Inquests) is to provide support, assistance and advocacy support to bereaved families throughout the Coronial Inquest process.

This includes supporting families to engage with Court processes, to gain access to other support services, and to engage in media and advocacy. 

Dependant on capacity, the role may also work to support other clients of the Wirraway Police and Prison Accountability Practice.

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide a range of culturally appropriate support services and guidance to families throughout the Coronial Inquest, police and prison accountability process.
• Communicate with and effectively support, Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander clients who may present as distressed and will be grieving the loss of their loved ones.
• Assist clients and VALS with advocacy and law reform work arising out of coronial inquests.
• Liaison and high-level negotiation with the Coroner’s Court, Victoria Police, Corrections Victoria, legal assistance providers and wide-ranging services, including related to corrections and community health, child protection, drug and alcohol and family violence. 
• Work closely with the Policy, Communications and Strategy team to prepare advice and support policy and law reform work in areas relating to police and prison accountability.
• Work closely with the Community Justice Program team to develop and deliver community legal education across Victoria.
• Undertake related administrative requirements, including maintaining files in an orderly and professional manner, including the recording of all data for statistical purposes.
• Increase professional development outcomes through internal training and development opportunities, working with relevant legal teams and stakeholders.
• Establish effective and productive partnerships with Aboriginal and mainstream services and other support organisations.

Desirable

• An understanding of mental health and grieving issues and an ability to engage with people experiencing grief and mental health crises.
• An understanding of the protective benefit of culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians.
• Experience working with and providing culturally safe support to people experiencing mental health crises.
• A commitment to understanding VALS’s work and the social, legal and justice issues faced by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria.
• Demonstrated commitment and capacity to promote the rights interests and aspirations of Aboriginal people.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills with the ability to build effective relationships with Aboriginal peoples and communities and to collaborate to achieve their objectives.
• Effective administration and project management skills with well-developed time management skills to plan workload, prioritise and meet deadlines.
• Good working knowledge of technology, such as Microsoft Office and databases.
• Demonstrable personal drive, integrity, and capacity to work in a team.
• A willingness and ability to travel to regional, metropolitan, and interstate locations for work purposes. 

Desirable

• A relevant qualification in Social Work, mental health, community work and/or community development 
• Knowledge and understanding of the Coronial Inquest process.
• Experience of work within Aboriginal legal services, Victorian Legal Aid, community legal centres and / or other support services
• Experience in legal policy development and commitment to driving and influencing change on relevant policy priorities and emerging issues.
On offer of this position, you must provide$

Salary Offering: $91,631.54 plus 11% Superannuation 

Preston Office 

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave 
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging of up to $15,900+ per FBT available via Maxxia=

Overview

The Media Officer is responsible for planning and delivering VALS’s media strategy and acting as a VALS spokesperson, when required. This includes managing and developing relationships with media organisations/representatives, drafting media releases, preparing the CEO and other staff for media interviews and public speaking events and participating in media and communications opportunities.

This role is full time fixed term until 30th of June 2024

Key Performance Indicators 

• Write, review and pitch compelling and newsworthy content (including media releases and opinion pieces) for a range of broadcast, print and digital communications platforms, to promote VALS’ policy priorities and positions, VALS’ activities and articles that positively represent Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples and stories.
• Help ensure that VALS spokespeople are sufficiently equipped and prepared for media work and interviews.
• Participate in media opportunities as a spokesperson for VALS, when required. 
• Monitor media mentions of VALS and issues important to VALS, and provide regular reporting on trends.
• Develop and maintain relationships with journalists.
• Develop and maintain relationships with stakeholders, particularly in the legal and Aboriginal Community Controlled sectors, and identify opportunities to work collaboratively
• Work in collaboration with all sections of VALS to identify key priority areas and to formulate key messages
• Support the work of the Senior Communications and Digital Content Officer, as required
• Ability to travel across Victoria to work on local media opportunities. 
• As directed, undertake other duties which are incidental and peripheral to the main tasks, provided that such duties are reasonably within the employee’s skills, competence and training.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Relevant media qualifications such as in Journalism, Public Relations and Media and/or substantial experience of working as a media, communications or PR advisor 
2. Excellent writing skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated expertise in writing content for media.
3. Deep knowledge of the Australian media landscape
4. Experience pitching to journalists and a demonstrated ability to get up proactive media stories.
5. Strong organisational, time management and planning skills; with an ability to work autonomously and within a team 
6. High proficiency in Microsoft Office and media monitoring tools
7. Passion for working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and empowering their voices and advocacy.

Accordion Content91,

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Salary Offering: $75,566.40 – $81,317.60 (VALS CPB 1.1 – 1.4) depending on experience, plus 11% Superannuation

Additional Benefits:

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 extra days leave on top of 20 days annual leave 
• Only required to work 35 hours per week, any extra hours worked will be calculated as your Time In Lieu (TOIL) – which you may use as additional leave hours
• Access to company vehicles for any work-related trips
• Salary packaging is available via Maxxia

Office Locations: Preston Office – 273 High Street, Preston VIC 3072

This role is full-time fixed term until 30 June 2025.

This position will require regional and very occasional interstate travel.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE:

As CSO you will act as a liaison between VALS and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people interacting with the justice system. 

The CSO helps address barriers Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people face in engaging with criminal, family and civil justice processes. CSOs have an educational role in crime prevention and reduction, and in conjunction with other facilities, offer alternative programs to Aboriginal communities.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Respond to e-justice notifications, the on-call CSO, the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) or Victoria Police when advised that an Aboriginal person is being held in custody;
• Contact the Aboriginal person in custody, provide basic information and exercise discretion as to whether the on-call solicitor should be contacted.  Reassure the client and explain legal terminology and processes used by the police and legal profession, not using legal jargon.  Where appropriate, take notes of the history of the client’s case and provide them to the solicitor;
• Attend court to support the client and the solicitor; and as directed, lodge all necessary court documents;
• Liaise and network with other Aboriginal organisations to promote VALS and be aware of programs that help prevent or reduce crime within Victorian Aboriginal communities;
• Liaise with police and other persons within the justice system to ensure delivery of a culturally relevant service;
• Represent VALS at various meetings and report back on those meetings to VALS management;
• Perform a range of administrative tasks to ensure the effective delivery of services to VALS clients. This includes providing activity reports on a timely basis, attending staff meetings as required, and ensuring that data is entered into the VALS client management system

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA:

• A demonstrated knowledge of the Victorian legal system;
• An understanding of the legal issues faced by Victorian Aboriginal communities and a commitment to and understanding of Victorian Aboriginal culture and community, and the ability to communicate effectively with members of those communities;
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills;
• The ability to work in a multi-skilled environment;
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with working with data bases 

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS:

 On offer of this position, you must provide:

• Copy of your current Employee Working with Children Card.
• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check.
• Up to date vaccination certificate or valid medical exemption
• Proof of rights to work in Australia, i.e., a copy of an Australian Passport, Birth Certificate, or Immigration VISA documentation
• Current valid Victorian Driver’s License
• Copies of any certificates or degrees relevant to this role

Please note:

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

This employment opportunity is only available to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

*Only successful applications will be contacted*

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No (search) fee will be paid in the event we hire a candidate whose resume is submitted by an employment agency to any of our employees without a valid written recruitment agreement. Such resumes shall be deemed the sole property of VALS.