The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) works hard to create equal opportunities for all Victorians to live a safe, respected and valued life.

Our areas of focus are child protection, housing, disability, the prevention of family violence, multicultural affairs, LGBTQI+ equality, veterans, women and youth. The work we do benefits thousands of Victorians, particularly those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable.

We work in a variety of community-based settings, including people's homes, residential facilities and secure settings across metropolitan, rural and regional Victoria.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated. All jobs can be worked flexibly, and we encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from diverse backgrounds and abilities. .

If you’re having any trouble viewing this ad and would like it or any attachments in an accessible format (such as large print), please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on the ad.

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

POSITION SUMMARY

An exciting opportunity exists for a Senior Policy Officer on a fixed term basis in Children and Families Support and Safeguarding.

The unit includes the Child and Families Support, Child Safeguarding and Redress Policy teams involved in leading legislative, policy program development and service design in collaboration with stakeholders. It involves a range of program areas including Child FIRST and Family Services, early parenting, child safeguarding, child and family violence information sharing reforms and the response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses Child Sexual Abuse.

As Senior Policy Officer you will work closely with a Principal Policy Officer to provide policy and program advice, and coordination of feedback and reporting, in relation to family violence and child wellbeing and safety reforms, the department's ongoing response to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and national child safeguarding initiatives.

In this role you will work closely with colleagues across the department, and in the Departments of Education and Training, Health, and Justice and Community Safety and work closely and contribute to the MARAMIS implementation workplan.

 You will be preparing advice and supporting material for Executive and Ministers' attendances at Victorian and Commonwealth governance forums and you must have very good writing skills, and planning and organisational skills.

Candidates with specific skills and knowledge of the Child and Family Violence Information Sharing Schemes and MARAM (the Family Violence Multi Agency Risk Assessment and Management Framework) reforms are encouraged to apply.

As our ideal candidate, you will be required to demonstrate:

1. Policy Skills
2. Problem Solving
3. Systems Thinking
4. Self Management

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS POLICY

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of its workers and clients.  The department may require its employees to be fully vaccinated against preventable diseases such as the current coronavirus (COVID-19).  The department's COVID-19 Vaccination requirements policy (Word) outlines the requirements for existing employees, other workplace participants and prospective employees.  Subject to exceptions, only employees or other workplace participants with up-to-date vaccination status (see definitions section of the policy) against COVID-19 and who provide evidence of their Vaccination Status are permitted to work for the department outside their ordinary place of residence.  For this role, you are required to submit proof of vaccination prior to commencement.  Please refer to the above link for more information. 

For more information on the accountabilities and key selection criteria, qualifications and/or requirements for the role please refer to the attached Position Description.

HOW TO APPLY

All VPS employees (and ex-VPS employees with extended access to the Jobs and Skills Exchange website) MUST apply via the Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) <https://jse.vic.gov.au/user/login?destination=/new-home-page> portal.

Applicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Selection Criteria. 

Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.

Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process. 

For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Victoria | Jobs (www.dffh.vic.gov.au/jobs)

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your interest in this position.