Careers

Overview

Working collaboratively across the organisation, the Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer plays a key role in supporting the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer to initiate high quality research and to assist with preparing policy submissions & initiatives, focusing on police accountability, and prevention of and accountability for deaths in custody. This is done in the context of developing and promoting VALS as a strong voice for the Aboriginal communities we serve. The successful candidate will demonstrate policy, analytical and communication skills, coupled with an ability to influence stakeholders (government and non-government).

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

Strategy and Planning

• Develop VALS policy, research and advocacy agenda in line with the strategic and operational plan and work with relevant colleagues across the organisation to achieve our strategic objectives
• Measure impact and review progress with advocacy strategies and plans and ensure ongoing development of these in response to changes in the external environment
• Identify and respond to emerging opportunities to influence law and policy

Policy and Research

• Research, write and prepare position papers, reports and submissions as relevant, which will contribute to implementation of VALS Policy, Research and Advocacy strategy 
• Provide support and advice to the CEO and other members of the Executive Team to fulfil their role in representing VALS at conferences, working groups and forums
• Support the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer to represent VALS on relevant working groups and forums as required
• Work closely with the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer and the Communications Officer to achieve VALS policy, research and advocacy priorities through public advocacy
• Work with the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer to translate the concerns of clients and the Aboriginal communities into specific campaigns, policy and advocacy materials
• Provide support to develop and implement research projects being run by VALS.
• Lead some policy initiatives and submissions in relation to relevant experience.

• Work in partnership with the Senior Policy Officer and heads of service provision to endorse implementation of the policy and advocacy initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including ACCOs, NATSILS and ATSILS, research institutions, government and community legal organisations
• Collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders to deliver policy and advocacy initiatives in partnerships with external organisations and the broader community
• Work with the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer to build the organisation’s profile through the establishment and maintenance of research partnerships with external organisations and the broader community.

Internal Obligations

• Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan
• Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings
• Foster collaborative working relationships with colleagues across VALS
• Undertake other duties & responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed
• Perform other relevant duties as requested by the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer

Application process
To apply for this opportunity, please provide:
• a covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position
• a statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
• your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.
Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au using the subject line: ‘Policy & Advocacy Officer’

Please apply by 5pm Tuesday 19th January 2021
Please click on the link below for the position description

Position Description – Policy Reseach and Advocacy Officer FT – Jan 2021

Overview

Working collaboratively across the organisation, the Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer plays a key role in supporting the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer to initiate high quality research and to assist with preparing policy submissions & initiatives. This is done in the context of developing and promoting VALS as a strong voice for the Aboriginal communities we serve.

The successful candidate will demonstrate policy, analytical and communication skills, coupled with an ability to influence stakeholders (government and non-government).

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

Strategy and Planning

• Develop VALS policy, research and advocacy agenda in line with the strategic and operational plan and work with relevant colleagues across the organisation to achieve our strategic objectives
• Measure impact and review progress with advocacy strategies and plans and ensure ongoing development of these in response to changes in the external environment
• Identify and respond to emerging opportunities to influence law and policy
• Identify and develop funding opportunities for the Policy, Research and Advocacy team

Policy and Research

• Research, write and prepare position papers, reports and submissions as relevant, which will contribute to implementation of VALS Policy, Research and Advocacy strategy 
• Provide support and advice to the CEO and other members of the Executive Team to fulfil their role in representing VALS at conferences, working groups and forums
• Support the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer to represent VALS on relevant working groups and forums as required
• Work closely with the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer and the Communications Officer to achieve VALS policy, research and advocacy priorities through public advocacy
• Work with the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer to translate the concerns of clients and the Aboriginal communities into specific campaigns, policy and advocacy materials
• Provide support to develop and implement research projects being run by VALS.
• Lead some policy initiatives and submissions in relation to relevant experience.

• Work in partnership with the Senior Policy Officer and heads of service provision to endorse implementation of the policy and advocacy initiatives.

Stakeholder Management

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including ACCOs, NATSILS and ATSILS, research institutions, government and community legal organisations
• Collaborate with relevant internal stakeholders to deliver policy and advocacy initiatives in partnerships with external organisations and the broader community
• Work with the Senior Policy, Research and Advocacy Officer to build the organisation’s profile through the establishment and maintenance of research partnerships with external organisations and the broader community.

Internal Obligations

• Commitment to VALS’s strategic plan
• Attend and actively contribute at team and working group meetings
• Foster collaborative working relationships with colleagues across VALS
• Undertake other duties & responsibilities within the scope of the role as directed.
• Perform other relevant duties as requested by the Senior Policy, Research & Advocacy Officer.

Application process
To apply for this opportunity, please provide:
• a covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position
• a statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
• your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.
Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au using the subject line: ‘Policy & Advocacy Officer P.T’

Please apply by 5pm Tuesday 19th January 2021
Please click on the link below for the position description

Position Description – Policy Reseach and Advocacy Officer – January 2021

Overview

The successful applicant should have a minimum of 4 years post-admission experience practising in areas of law relevant to VALS’ civil law practice. This should include 12 months practice on an unsupervised practising certificate.

The successful applicant would be required to provide high quality legal services, including information, advice, representation, casework, negotiation and dispute resolution, and outreach services in a range of different civil law matters on behalf of members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria.

They will work closely with the team’s Principal Managing Lawyer (PML) around the coordination and delivery of range of projects, policy and law reform initiatives, strategic litigation work, and community and professional legal education programs.

Key Performance Indicators, Duties & Responsibility

1. Provides high quality legal advice and representation to VALS clients across all key practice areas in the team, including fines and infringements, tenancy, employment (termination and unpaid entitlements), consumer and debt matters, discrimination, Personal Safety Intervention Orders, Working With Children Check suspension/cancellations, coronial matters and other types of legal issues as appropriate.

2. Provides guidance and mentorship to junior lawyers in the VALS civil team, including support with complex matters, client management issues, and court/tribunal appearance work, and assists with the legal supervision and delegation of work to volunteers, in particular with respect to the volunteer infringements clinic.

3. Works closely with and supports the civil team’s PML around the coordination and delivery of range of projects, policy and law reform initiatives, strategic litigation work, and community and professional legal education programs and be able to perform the duties as acting PML when they are on leave.

4. Assumes primary responsibility for appropriately managing various key stakeholder relationships with direction and assistance from the civil team’s PML and demonstrates a strong ability to manage and leverage these relationships to the benefit of VALS as an organisation as well as the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community more broadly.

Personal accountability

1. Compliance with all VALS Values, code of conduct, policies and procedures and relevant government legislation and standards where relevant.
2. 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
3. Ensure appropriate use of resources
4. Actively participate in initiatives to maintain, build upon and promote a positive and collaborative workplace.
5. Take reasonable care for your own health & safety, and health and safety of others (to extent required)
6. Promptly respond to and report health and safety hazards, incidents and near misses to management.
7. Attend mandatory training sessions (ie. equal employment opportunity, health and safety, cultural safety) and mandatory training specific to position.

Application process
To apply for this opportunity, please provide:
• a covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position
• a statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
• your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.
Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au using the subject line: ‘Senior Civil Lawyer’

Please apply by 5pm Monday 25th January 2021
Please click on the link below for the position description

Position Description – Senior Lawyer – Civil Law and Human Rights – Jan 2021

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. We are always actively looking for applicants from a diverse range of gender identities, sexual orientations, cultures, language groups, abilities, and experiences.

OVERVIEW OF NATSILS

The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (NATSILS) is the national peak representative body for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services (ATSILS) around Australia, including the:

● Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld) Ltd (ATSILS Qld);

● Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement Inc. (ALRM);

● Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) (ALS NSW/ACT);

● Aboriginal Legal Service of Western Australia Ltd (ALSWA);

● North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (NAAJA);

● Tasmanian Aboriginal Legal Service (TALS); and

● Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service Co-operative Limited (VALS).

NATSILS provides a united voice at the national level for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and also supports the ATSILS to provide high quality and culturally competent legal services. NATSILS works on justice issues including ending Black deaths in custody, over-incarceration, abuses in the justice system, policing, racism, discrimination, raising the age of criminal responsibility, alternatives to imprisonment, decarceration strategies including culturally safe family, housing, family violence and disability supports. NATSILS also works on issues relating to child protection, family violence, family law, human rights and civil legal rights for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Stop Black Deaths in Custody Campaigner of NATSILS will provide high quality campaign and advocacy with the families who have had their loved ones die in custody. They would jointly create a campaign to end Black deaths in custody. Stop Black Deaths in Custody Campaigner will:

● Achieve social change outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities who have lost loved ones to deaths in custody across Australia;

● Centre lived experience, communities and allies as a key component of the work;

● Grow and diversify the movement and support base, and their passion for action for ending deaths in custody;

● Perform campaign best practice, including innovatively combining digital and offline campaign techniques;

● Be driven by a strong sense of social justice, ending systemic racism, over-incarceration and discrimination in the justice system.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

● Develop and lead a national campaign and support individual families’ campaigns across Australia to end Black deaths in custody.

● Manage templates and useful documents to support families in their individual campaigns.

● Support families whose loved ones have died in custody, including with campaign strategy and those going through coronial inquests.

● The successful candidate will be a media spokesperson where appropriate and also assist families to speak to media.

● Manage and develop stakeholder relationships with community, NGOs and government.

● Manage multiple competing demands, projects and work to deadlines.

● Undertake research and policy work to achieve these goals.

● Undertake other duties as might be reasonably directed by the Executive Officer or the Co-Chairs of NATSILS.

Application process
To apply for this opportunity, please provide:
• a covering letter outlining who you are and why you are suited to this position
• a statement addressing each of the key selection criteria – applications submitted without a statement addressing the key selection criteria will not be accepted. Please note the key selection criteria is found within the position description.
• your resume detailing your education and professional experience and two referees.
Please submit your application to jobs@vals.org.au using the subject line: Stop Black Deaths Campaigner

Please apply by 5pm Sunday 31st January 2021

Please click below to see Position Description.

Stop Black Deaths in Custody Campaigner – Position Description

Board Member Vacancy

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

South East Australian Aboriginal Justice Service Limited (SEAAJSL) is the overarching entity of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service. The Board of Directors of South East Australian Aboriginal Justice Service Limited are calling for new members to join the company

ABOUT US:
We were established as a community-controlled organisation in 1973 to address the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the criminal justice system. The organisation has a long and proud history of providing legal and service support for Aboriginal Victorians who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing negative contact with the justice system and advocating locally, nationally and internationally for the rights of Aboriginal people.
The organisation has grown over the years (with further expansion options being pursued) and now offers criminal, family and civil law services, client services support, community legal education and a range of community justice support programs in Victoria

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

As a VALS COM member, you will be responsible for:

• Embodying and maintaining VALS values, vision, mission and strategies
• Establishing the organisation’s desired strategic outcomes and direction of strategic plans
• Monitoring the outcomes of the strategic and business plans and annual budget outcomes
• Review of annual budget proposed by the Executive Management Team
• Ensuring that VALS has appropriate corporate governance structures in place including standards of ethical behaviour and promoting a culture of corporate and social responsibility
• Ensuring compliance obligations and functions are effectively discharged
• Ensuring that all significant risks are adequately considered and accounted for by the Executive Management Team
• Participation in appropriate personal development opportunities
• Attending all meetings at the organisation’s Head Office or via video link or teleconference (available if required)

ABOUT YOU

Ideally, you will possess:
• An appreciation and understanding of the role VALS play in the community
• Knowledge and skills in one or more areas of community representation, board governance: policy, programs, finance and/or personnel.
• A strong business acumen, with the ability to think strategically and provide leadership
• An ability to help establish strategic direction, working with the CEO, Executive Management Team and other committee members to obtain the resources, funds and personnel necessary to implement the organisation’s objectives
• Good corporate governance understanding
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to review reports, monitor performance, identify risks and help to implement strategies
• For this position, qualifications or significant experience in Risk Management, Governance, and/or strategic planning would be highly desirable.
• A time commitment of 2 hours per month, which includes Board preparation, meeting and committee meeting time
• Willingness to serve on at least one of the two listed VALS sub-committee and participate actively in its work
-Finance & Audit Committee
-Risk, Quality, and Compliance Committee

HOW TO EXPRESS INTEREST
To submit your expression of interest. please email your application to jobs@vals.org.au and we will be in contact you as soon as possible.

Membership Nomination Form_July2020