AI Job Summary

Strong understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community and impacts of family violence, justice systems, and inequity
Proven experience developing policy, submissions and advocacy strategies with actionable recommendations
Highly developed written and verbal skills to produce briefs/submissions and tailor messaging to diverse audiences

Role Type

On-site • Permanent • Full-time • Mid-level Senior

Pay Rate

$119,093 AUD – $119,093.52 AUD (Annum)

Description

Generous SCHCADS Award salary on offer – SCHCADS Level 7, Pay Point 1 $119,093.52 pa
Full time, ongoing
Djirra is looking for a Senior Policy Officer to join our small, high performing team. In this critical role, you won’t just be writing documents, you’ll be leading the charge in delivering our stream based advocacy model, ensuring that the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are at the very centre of policy reform and decision making.

About the Role

You will work as a key support to the CEO and Senior Executive Team to drive proactive, evidence based policy initiatives that challenge structural inequality and deliver tangible outcomes. From crafting high impact submissions to building strategic alliances with government and community partners, helping to shape the future of family violence prevention and justice reform in Victoria.

What You’ll Do

Lead with Impact: Develop impactful policy positions, strategic briefings, and advocacy materials that apply a sharp intersectional gender lens.
Drive Reform: Spearhead initiatives within your designated stream, turning complex research and community insights into clear, actionable recommendations.
Be the Bridge: Build and nurture powerful relationships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), government stakeholders, and sector partners to amplify our collective voice.
Tell Our Story: Embed compelling communications into our policy work, ensuring our narratives resonate and influence decision makers.
Collaborate & Elevate: Work alongside a dedicated team to strengthen Djirra’s overall advocacy capability

Who You Are

A Champion for Change: You have a deep understanding of the Victorian Aboriginal community and the specific impacts of family violence, justice systems, and structural inequality on Aboriginal women.
A Strategic Thinker: You excel at synthesising diverse evidence based data, practice insights, and community stories to inform robust policy development.
A Master Communicator: You can translate complex issues into persuasive, clear narratives tailored to diverse audiences, from government ministers to community leaders.
Culturally Competent: You model Djirra’s values, demonstrating genuine respect and a commitment to centering Aboriginal women’s voices, experiences, and self determination.
Organised & Resilient: You thrive in fast paced environments, managing multiple priorities with tact and delivering high quality results under tight deadlines.

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

Please do not hesitate to contact the People and Learning team at hrinfo@djirra.org.au for a confidential discussion if you would like further information.

To apply, please click the ‘apply’ button and submit your resume, cover letter and completed screening questions which will be sent via email once you have submitted your application. Please note screening questions are a requirement of your application. During the application process you may see an option to upload a video. Please note this is not a requirement of the application process.

Requirements

Essential

A Victorian Employees Working with Children’s Check card or willing to obtain one
Willing to obtain a Police Check at Djirra’s expense

Desirable

A relevant tertiary qualification in a related field is highly desirable.

Benefits

Attractive salary packaging options (including meals and entertainment)
Generous leave provisions apply and annual leave loading
Employee Assistance Program with supportive, confidential counselling for personal and work concern
Collaborative and inclusive team
Additional paid leave for end of year office closure period
Access to company vehicles for any work related travel
Cultural awareness training both formal and informal settings is provided
Accrued Day Off (ADO) Program available to full time staff

Please note this role may close prior to the advertised closing date (if applicable) if a suitable applicant is identified, or if we receive a high volume of quality applicants. If you are interested in this position, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

Company Overview

Djirra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation with over 20 years’ experience accompanying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, and their children, on their individual journeys. We find solutions through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women sharing their stories, journeys, and experiences. Djirra celebrates women’s strength and resilience. We are committed to a future without family violence. We deliver holistic, culturally safe, specialist family violence support, legal services and case management, alongside cultural and wellbeing workshops and programs. Our services have state-wide reach, touching every part of Victoria to meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. Self-determination is the foundation of everything we do. Djirra amplifies the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. We advocate for system-wide change to improve access to justice, eliminate systemic violence, and strengthen women’s resilience. We are an active member of the National Family Violence Prevention and Legal Services Forum, the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are experiencing or at risk of family violence.

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Senior Policy Officer