OVERVIEW

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.

Under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, all Australian Governments and the Coalition of Peaks have agreed to establish Justice Policy Partnerships (JPP) at the national and state and territory levels to progress the commitment to reduce the incarceration rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and young people.

The NATSILS Justice Policy Partnership Director will provide high level and comprehensive policy and strategic advice and oversee the JPP work at each of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The NATSILS JPP Director provides high quality policy, advocacy and secretariat and strategic support services to the JPP Secretariat and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Services.

• Developing policies and strategies aimed at achieving the objectives of the JPP in relation to the implementation and monitoring phase of Closing the Gap
• Preparing, reviewing and advising on policy reports, briefing papers, meeting talking points, speeches, and discussion papers for presentation to the JPP
• Supporting JPP representatives in negotiations at the national and state/territory level to achieve their objectives, including in the Drafting Group meetings, and at Partnership Working Group and Joint Council meetings
• Undertaking liaison with Australian Governments on behalf of the JPP in order to advance their objectives
• Supporting the development of formal structures for partnerships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies in jurisdictions to engage with the JPP and negotiate with relevant governments on the delivery of Closing the Gap;
• Assisting in the management of the JPP budget as it relates to the Commonwealth grant, including the development of reports to the JPP and meeting the grant reporting requirements
• Providing relevant JPP updates at NATSILS Forum
• Supporting the positive cohesion, management and motivation of the JPP Policy and Secretariat Team;
• Supporting the Chair of NATSILS as lead conveyor and Peak Representative when required

Key Selection Criteria

You must:

• Have a commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being self-determined and a capacity to work effectively with them and their organisations
• A demonstrated capacity to be able to provide strategic advice, problem solving and issues management in an Indigenous environment
• Advanced analytical and critical thinking skills including the ability to use these to formulate, interpret, analyse and evaluate policy and program initiatives
• Proven ability to successfully engage internal and external stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders, in relation to complex and potentially controversial matters.
• A capacity to undertake policy work with a high level of complexity and sensitivity and operate under broad direction with a high level of day to day autonomy;
• Proven writing skills in preparing briefs through to correspondence at a senior level
• Demonstrable personal drive, integrity and capacity to work in and lead a team.
• Competent use of word processing and email software.
• A current Working with Children Card and a current drivers licence.

Requirements:

• You will be required to complete a current Criminal History Police Check and obtain an Employee Working with Children card if successful
• Proof of rights to work in Australia