Job Description

Aboriginal Senior Policy & Project Officer

Therapeutic Pathways

Transforming Aboriginal Outcomes

Temporary Full-Time until 30/6/2028

Location: Parramatta

Clerk Grade 9/10 Salary ($129,464 - $142,665 pa), plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

Develop and support the implementation of innovative policies and programs to reduce Aboriginal young people’s overrepresentation in the criminal justice system. Provide specialist policy advice and high level analysis on issues and strategies. Lead projects and work in partnership with the division’s key stakeholders, including the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and non-government service providers and advocacy groups.

What you’ll do

• Plan, manage and implement research, program reform, innovation and evaluation projects as allocated by the Manager to support the delivery of the Therapeutic Pathways for Aboriginal Children project
• Provide high-level advice on policy issues and contribute to the development and implementation of state-wide policy frameworks and interventions including detailed briefing notes, cabinet minutes and correspondence.
• Liaise with key stakeholders in the development of criminal justice policies and programs in NSW.
• Maintain effective liaison and consultation processes with the community, government and non-government sectors to ensure effective collaboration on projects.
• Provide secretariat to the Department’s senior interagency committees and other groups as required.
• Support the management of tender processes and contracts for the delivery of service to the community.
• Contribute to the development, implementation and maintenance of monitoring and evaluation frameworks for programs.

What we’re looking for

• Excellent knowledge of the NSW criminal justice system specifically Aboriginal Children and young people, including issues that contribute to disproportionate rates of Aboriginal participation as both victims and offenders.
• Tertiary qualifications in a relevant discipline such as social work, law, psychology, sociology or criminology, or equivalent level experience.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/ clearances:

• National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014
• Working with Children Check clearance in accordance with the Child Protection (Working with Children) Act 2012

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Download the

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:

• Question 1

Tell us about a time you worked in partnership with Aboriginal communities, organisations, or families to shape a justice-related initiative. How did you ensure your approach was culturally appropriate, built trust, and reflected community priorities—particularly where there were competing stakeholder views?

• Question 2

How do you balance the use of data and evidence with Aboriginal community knowledge and lived experience when developing policy or programs? Can you give a specific example where these perspectives differed and how you managed that?

Applications close Friday, 17th April 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Edwina Crawford at edwina.crawford@dcj.nsw.gov.au.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Olivia Alipalo on 0477 323 408 or via olivia.alipalo@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visitInclusion and diversity on the DCJ website

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.