At the Department of Justice and Community Safety, we’re looking for people who want to make a difference. People who take pride in their work. People who get things done. People who are committed to making Victoria a safer place.

We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.

The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of young people and recognises that young peoples’ rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.

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 more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers

We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?

Position details

Great opportunity to join a high-profile team, at the centre of government, to advise and lead on a variety of legal policy matters across the justice system.

About us

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing in-house legal services and legal policy advice across the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and to the Attorney-General as Victoria's First Law Officer.

About the role

Reporting to the Manager of the Policy and First Law Officer team in the OGC, the Senior Legal Policy Officer will lead and manage the delivery of legal and policy advice in relation to the Attorney‑General's First Law Officer functions, human rights, and legal profession regulation.

Some of your duties will include:

• undertaking a review of sexual harassment management practices of firms on the government's Legal Services Panel
• managing multiple complex and sensitive policy projects, including progressing legislative amendments to the Legal Profession Uniform law
• supporting the implementation of legislative and policy reform relating to legal profession regulation arising out of the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants
• advising the Attorney-General on petitions for mercy and related litigation, and
• building and maintaining strong, collaborative and productive relationships with stakeholders within and outside of government to monitor and support legal profession regulation and deliver on the government's reform priorities.

You will also have the ability to work across the broader OGC team, including on administrative and public law matters and litigation, where appropriate.

About you

We are looking for a senior legal policy officer with the proven ability to:

• provide sophisticated, concise, and solutions-focused advice on complex legal and policy matters
• manage the development and implementation of policy reforms and reviews, and
• build and manage stakeholder relationships, including a demonstrated ability to develop effective relationships with key stakeholders and to influence diverse stakeholder groups on highly complex issues.

You should also have experience in, or knowledge of, Victorian Government administrative processes (including legislative and Cabinet processes) and policy development. Knowledge of criminal law practice and procedure and human rights would be advantageous.

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.

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.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include national police checks and misconduct screening.