Job Summary
- $100+ per hour
- Applications close:
- Job posted on: 23rd May 2024
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is seeking expressions of interest to join the Victorian intermediary panel as a contractor.
Intermediaries facilitate the effective communication of children, young people and adults with a cognitive impairment who are giving evidence in police interviews and in court proceedings relating to sexual offence and homicide matters. Intermediaries work with criminal justice and other stakeholders to obtain the best possible evidence from witnesses to improve justice outcomes.
Applicants must satisfy eligibility requirements, with qualifications and demonstrated experience in:
Applications are encouraged from eligible professionals in metropolitan Melbourne and the regional areas of Bendigo, Geelong and Warrnambool.
Intermediaries are engaged on a contract basis and work is allocated on an ‘as-needed’ basis. Due to the nature of the service, the role would best suit professionals who have flexibility in terms of their availability.
Fees are paid on the basis of the activity or by the hourly rate of $194 (plus GST). Further information about the schedule of fees is set out below.
Eligible applicants will be invited to attend an interview and will be required to undertake intensive training and assessment over three days. This training will be led by the Intermediary Program. The above training and assessment activities will be provided free of charge to participants.
Successful applicants will undertake an induction program and further training.
The Intermediary Program also provides monthly group reflective practice sessions for intermediaries which are facilitated by Lead Intermediaries. The purpose is to provide a supportive space for intermediaries to reflect on cases, to share experiences and to develop their practice, in recognition of the challenges of working in the justice system and with victims of crime.
The Victorian Intermediary Program is available for children, young people and adults with a cognitive impairment who are the complainants in sexual offence matters, or a witness to a homicide.
Intermediaries assist victim and witness participation in:
Intermediaries are appointed to the Intermediary Panel by the Secretary to the Department of Justice and Community Safety. The Secretary must be satisfied that the person is suitable for appointment as an intermediary.
The program includes a small number of ‘in-house’ intermediaries and a larger pool of intermediaries who are contractors. We are presently seeking expressions of interest for intermediaries to be engaged as contractors.
The role of an intermediary is to:
Intermediaries are impartial officers of the court. They are not expert witnesses, advocates or a support person.
Being an intermediary involves working closely with eligible witnesses and victims of crime and exposure to information that can be distressing and traumatic, including about alleged sexual offences and homicides. While the role is challenging it can be rewarding by improving the experience of victims in the criminal justice system.
The majority of intermediary work is undertaken during business hours, however, intermediaries are sometimes required after hours. Intermediaries may also be requested to work at short notice. While the program liaises with intermediaries as to their availability, it is highly desirable if applicants have flexibility to meet this varied demand.
The program provides group reflective practice sessions as outlined above and continuing professional development training.
More information about the role of intermediaries in Victoria is set out in the Multijurisdictional Court Guide for the Intermediary Program.
To be considered for appointment applicants must meet one of the following criteria:
It is highly desirable that applicants also have experience engaging with people who are disproportionately impacted by crime and trauma – including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, people with disabilities, and/or people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds.
The schedule of fees for intermediaries engaged as contractors is as follows:
Travel to court venues is not usually reimbursed; travel to other locations (including police sites) is paid at the hourly equivalent of $194 per hour in 15 minute increments.
The program will also cover overnight accommodation expenses if required.
To express your interest, please click Apply Now and follow the prompts.
For more information, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Intermediary enquiry via EthicalJobs.