About VALS

The Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and the state's only specialist legal and support service dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Established in 1973, VALS provides culturally safe legal advice and representation across criminal, family, civil, and human rights law, youth justice, and specialist litigation.

Our broader supports include a 24/7 Custody Notification Service, transitional housing for women exiting custody, family violence programs, one‑to‑one client support, and community legal education.

We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, LGBTISBQ communities, and diverse cultures are strongly encouraged to apply. We welcome requests for adjustments throughout recruitment and employment to ensure accessibility and support.

About: Aboriginal Community Justice Panel

The Aboriginal Community Justice Panel (ACJP) is a statewide Aboriginal-led program supporting Aboriginal people navigating the justice system through culturally grounded advocacy, system navigation, and community-led responses.

For more than 30 years, the Aboriginal Community Justice Panel have provided critical support to Aboriginal people in police custody across Victoria. The program operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week across 14 service areas (with the expansion of the volunteer model to 19 service areas) and has historically relied on a largely volunteer workforce to deliver timely cultural, wellbeing support, legal, and practical assistance at points of police contact.

Role Summary

Working collaboratively across ACJP and with key stakeholders, the Policy Officer undertakes high-quality policy development, review and implementation to support consistent, culturally safe and accountable service delivery across the ACJP.

The role is responsible for drafting and maintaining ACJP policies and procedures, supporting their implementation across professional and volunteer-based sites, and ensuring alignment with best practice, legislative requirements and Aboriginal community-controlled principles. The Policy Officer exercises sound judgement and critical policy knowledge to ensure policy frameworks are practical, current and responsive to operational needs.

The Policy Officer provides advice to the ACJP CEO, and relevant leaders as required, and contributes to strengthening ACJP's governance, service quality and professionalisation objectives through clear, accessible and well-embedded policy frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

Policy Development & Review

• Research, write and prepare high-quality policy papers, position papers, submissions, briefs and reports relevant to ACJP operations and justice system issues impacting Aboriginal communities.
• Support specific policy, research and advocacy projects aligned to ACJP strategic priorities.
• Prepare policy briefings and position papers to inform the ACJP Governance Board and CEO as required.
• Translate the concerns and lived experiences of clients and Aboriginal communities into clear policy, advocacy and reform positions.

Best Practice & Cultural Safety

• Ensure all policy development and advocacy work aligns with best practice, Aboriginal community-controlled principles, and culturally safe service delivery.
• Apply sound judgement and cultural knowledge to policy analysis, ensuring recommendations are practical, evidence-informed and community grounded.
• Contribute to advocacy approaches that strengthen justice outcomes for Aboriginal people and communities.

Implementation & Rollout

• Support the implementation of approved policy positions, advocacy initiatives and reform priorities across ACJP.
• Develop supporting materials to assist leaders and teams to understand and apply policy and advocacy positions in practice.
• Work collaboratively with internal teams to support the rollout of advocacy initiatives and campaigns where required.

Stakeholder Engagement & Coordination

• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders, including Community Justice Programs, ACCOs, NATSILS and ATSILS, research institutions, government agencies and community legal organisations.
• Represent ACJP in external governance forums, meetings, working groups, conferences and sector events as required.
• Identify and participate in relevant coalitions and networks to enhance advocacy, influence and collaboration.
• Support planning and coordination of lobbying activities aimed at Federal and State government and related bodies, in collaboration with senior leaders.

Quality, Governance & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to the delivery of ACJP strategic objectives through high-quality policy and advocacy outputs.
• Attend and actively contribute to team meetings, working groups and governance forums.
• Provide mentoring, supervision and guidance to policy staff, contractors and volunteers as required.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen policy impact, research capability and advocacy effectiveness through continuous improvement.
• Undertake other duties within the scope of the role as directed.

About You

Essential Requirements

• Demonstrated experience policy, research and critical analysis skills.
• Demonstrated experience in advocacy and stakeholder management.
• Ability to work autonomously and to collaborate in a small team environment.
• High level organisational and administrative skills and ability to prioritise workload, to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated computer literacy skills and proficiency using the Microsoft Office and other relevant software.
• Training or experience in the legal sector, particularly in areas of social justice and human rights
• Understanding of the role of Aboriginal legal services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Experience working in the non-profit sector

Qualifications & Mandatory Checks

• Relevant qualifications such as bachelor' or master's degree in law, Politics, Communications or Journalism alongside experience in social policy and advocacy.
• A current Employee Working with Children Check card
• A valid Victorian Driver's license
• A National Criminal History Check
• Proof of work rights in Australia, such as an Australian passport, birth certificate, or valid visa documentation

What We Offer

• 17.5% Leave Loading
• 5 additional days of annual leave on top of the standard 20 days
• Generous salary packaging up to $15,900 via Maxxia
• Opportunity to work alongside a passionate, culturally committed team
• Ongoing professional development and training opportunities
• A supportive, inclusive, and culturally safe workplace environment

How to Apply

This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.

To apply, please provide: Your current resume, including education, and professional experience. 

VALS actively encourages and supports Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. This designated position provides a culturally safe, supportive, and inclusive environment where your knowledge and lived experience are highly valued.

Please note: We do not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies. No fees will be paid to agencies submitting candidates without a valid written agreement.