About Justice reinvestment network australia (JRNA)

JRNA was established in 2015 as an informal coalition of communities, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, allied entities, and advocates in justice reinvestment. This collective was founded on mutual exchange, communal resilience, and knowledge sharing.

In 2024, in response to the rapid growth and need in the justice reinvestment sector, JRNA was incorporated as a community-controlled organisation and the national peak body for justice reinvestment, with a 100% First Nations Board and membership drawn from grassroots communities leading justice reinvestment. JRNA’s vision is for self-determining Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities with the resources, power, and decision- making at the grassroots level, led by the grassroots people, to create healing, restoration, well-being, and collective strength, as true justice our way.

Through collaboration, innovation and inclusion, JRNA aims to create accountability, healing and transformation, leading to safer, healthier and vibrant communities for all. JRNA was formed with community control because we know what has always been known by our communities: community voice, self-determination and community responsibility are at the heart of leading and solving justice challenges. The collective power in our communities across the country working together, building connections and sharing knowledge is our way, as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the pathway to a better future.

JRNA recognises that we must hold governments, the mainstream and ourselves accountable, in keeping with what is true justice reinvestment. To do this, we seek to work in strong partnerships, which respect and centre our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander waysof knowing, being and doing. In reclaiming and centring our way, we will together achieve better outcomes for our communities.

You can read more about JRNA on our website: https://justicereinvestment.net.au/

About the role

The Community Partnerships Lead is responsible for strengthening JRNA’s national impact by building and sustaining trusted relationships with First Nations communities, supporting community-controlled justice reinvestment capability, and creating a strong, connected national justice reinvestment movement to drive systems change. This role sits at the heart of JRNA’s strategic focus on grassroots First Nations community-control and self-determination within the national justice reinvestment ecosystem, ensuring community voices, priorities and lived experiences directly shape JRNA’s work, partnerships and national focus.

The Community Partnerships Lead will drive JRNA’s efforts to deepen partnerships with First Nations communities leading or exploring justice reinvestment; strengthen community capability across key areas of justice reinvestment such as leadership, governance, planning and systems change; deepen First Nations community collaboration, shared learning and collective action across the nation; and build and maintain partnerships that support community priorities and sustainable impact.

The role is a remote/work from home role – no matter where you live around Australia, this is an opportunity for you!

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Community partnerships and engagement: Build and maintain strong, trusted and reciprocal relationships with First Nations communities leading or exploring justice reinvestment, ensuring community voices, priorities and needs are at the centre of JRNA's work and strategic direction.
• Communities of Practice and shared learning: Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of national and jurisdictional Communities of Practice, shared learning sessions, workshops, webinars and other opportunities that grow capability, shared learning, collaboration, knowledge exchange and collective action.
• Community capability building: Design, coordinate and deliver activities that strengthen community capability in areas such as justice reinvestment planning, governance, leadership, workforce development, collaborative partnerships, community engagement, advocacy, systems change and any other areas of need.
• National Network coordination: Support the coordination and growth of JRNA's National Network, building collaboration, connection and shared leadership amongst communities advancing justice reinvestment across the country.
• Community support and place-based engagement: Provide tailored support to communities at different stages of their justice reinvestment journey, including responding to requests for assistance, facilitating connections, identifying opportunities and supporting communities to access resources and expertise.
• Partnership development and stakeholder engagement: Support engagement and collaboration with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, non-government organisations, governments, peak bodies, legal services, philanthropy, researchers, corporates and other stakeholders to respond to community priorities and strengthen local and national justice reinvestment efforts.
• Knowledge sharing and resource development: Coordinate the development of practical tools, resources, guides, case studies and learning materials that support communities to strengthen and advance justice reinvestment.
• Collective advocacy and voice: Support communities to influence decision-making at local, state, territory and national levels, ensuring advocacy, communications and system reform efforts are grounded in community authority, lived experience and self- determination.
• Monitoring, reporting and organisational learning: Monitor and report on activities, contributing to organisational reporting, continuous improvement, learning and accountability requirements.
• National representation: Represent JRNA at meetings, forums, conferences, working groups and events aligned to JRNA’s strategic objectives and purpose.
• Other duties: Undertake any other reasonable duties as directed by the Executive team to advance JRNA's purpose and strategic direction.

Selection criteria

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, communities, organisations and/or within the community-controlled sector.
• Demonstrated experience in community engagement, partnership development, community development, capability building, facilitation, training or a related area.
• Proven ability to build and maintain collaborative and reciprocal partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
• Strong understanding of justice reinvestment and First Nations holistic justice, or a demonstrated ability to rapidly develop this knowledge.
• Excellent event management skills, including the coordination of online workshops, forums, and community events.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, leadership and networking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities, while maintaining strong attention to detail and delivering high-quality outcomes.
• A deep understanding of the importance of respecting cultural protocols and First Nations ways of doing, knowing and being in community engagement.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a culturally grounded, values-driven and community-controlled organisation.
• A deep understanding of First Nations self-determination, the systemic issues driving contact with the justice system and other systems that cause harm, and an enduring commitment to advancing First Nations community-controlled systems change.

additional requirements

• Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC)
• Ability to travel intra and interstate

For further information, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Community Partnerships Lead - Remote / Work from Home enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached.