The Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions is focused on growing Victoria’s prosperity, building the productive capacity of our economy and increasing participation – by creating more opportunities for people through skills and jobs; helping businesses and industries to thrive; and building vibrant communities and regions. For more information, see the DJSIR Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
Our work spans numerous portfolios, supporting departmental ministers and operating across metropolitan, regional and international offices.
The Department welcomes and encourages applications from diverse applicants, including First Peoples, refugees or asylum seekers, people from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, LGBTIQ+ people and people with disability. All roles at DJSIR can be worked flexibly and we offer reasonable adjustments for applicants with disabilities.
Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs
- Salary: $116,413 - $140,849 (Plus Superannuation)
- Fixed-term position for 12 months
- Usual hours of work: Full time (flexibility may be available)
- Usual work location: Level 31, 121 Exhibition Street, Melbourne Vic 3000 (flexibility may be available)
ONLY ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AS THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT UNDER THE SPECIAL MEASURES PROVISION OF S12(1) OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT (VIC).
The Role
The Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs will lead a small team to develop a range of initiatives to support First Peoples to participate in sport and active recreation opportunities. The team works with key government agencies, First Peoples community organisations, community members, state sport and recreation organisations, regional sports assemblies, and other key stakeholders to implement the Victorian Aboriginal Sporting Partnership Strategy aimed at improving access and participation outcomes in sport and recreation activities for First Peoples communities across Victoria.
The role requires strong leadership and policy skills, highly developed conceptual and analytical skills, demonstrated government experience and a delivery focus, excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, and a flair for innovation.
Main accountabilities:
- Utilise self-determination principles to provide timely analysis and detailed policy advice to SEE senior leaders and other key stakeholders on actions to improve access and participation outcomes for First Peoples communities, including analysis, development and implementation of the Victorian Aboriginal Sporting Partnership.
- Support the provision of high-level policy advice to internal and external stakeholders and prepare and present detailed date and evidence informed reports, ministerial briefs, cabinet and agency submissions on complex matters.
- Initiate, build and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders to facilitate partnerships and co-investment with the First Peoples community and private sectors, government and representatives of the Victorian community sport and recreation sector to enable the delivery of agreed programs and projects.
- Lead, manage and support a small team to deliver a range of complex policy initiatives, programs and projects and ensure professional, timely and effective delivery.
The Team
The position of Senior Policy Officer, Aboriginal Programs forms a part of the Community Sport and Recreation branch within the Sport and Experience Economy group.
Sport and Experience Economy (SEE) Group delivers programs and initiatives to support positive experiences and a sense of belonging through sport, tourism, events and outdoor recreation – sectors that make Victoria a recognised leader from the grassroots level to the international stage and deliver significant economic, social and health benefits for the state.
This is achieved by supporting the Minister for Tourism, the Minister for Sport, the Minister for Major Events and the Minister for Community Sport in the delivery of sport and tourism infrastructure, and through programs and policies that strengthen the capacity of sport and experience economy organisations, reduce barriers to participation and engagement, support world-class events, and reinforce the role that vibrant sport and experience economy sectors play in growing the Victorian economy, supporting jobs and building stronger communities. We also oversee regulation of the State's hunting, fishing, boating sectors, and support the Professional Boxing and Combat Sports Board in the regulation of professional boxing and combat sports. 0;
About You
To be successful in this role, you will have the following main skills and experience:
- Partnership Negotiation: Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and planning and facilitating culturally safe engagement processes with Victorian First Peoples; negotiates collaborations across government, community, and private sectors to gain agreement on approaches and formalise delivery partnershipships.
- Policy and Project Skills: Formulates and clearly communicates public policy options and recommendations for delivering First Peoples outcomes; manages and leads complex projects, keeps up to date with a broad range of contemporary research and issues relating to First Peoples inclusion, scans for links and potential implications of proposed policy options, provides leadership in the application of concepts to policy development and liaises with stakeholders. Ability to collect, analyse and understand data and information collected from initiatives and apply strategic insights to interpret information, which includes consideration of the broader strategic direction of the organisation.
- Budget Management and Financial Literacy: Develops and manages program budgets; considers resources; monitors expenditure against budget projections; plans for and manages risks; ensures the use of honest, transparent and appropriate purchasing processes.
- Written and Oral Communication: Prepares briefs, presentations, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; senior experience in facilitating and verbally communiating in government, community and cross sector forums.
- Leadership and Stakeholder Relations: Manages a small team and builds relationships with First Peoples community, represents and promotes government priorities, builds a team commitment through professional communication, clear direction, effectively manages team resources to meet deadlines and prioritise work demands, motivates others, creates positive team culture, and manages performance expectations.
Further Information
For a confidential discussion, please contact Tess Dryza, Group Manager, Equity, Policy and Engagement on 0408 668 122 or [email protected]
The Department is committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect children from harm by adopting a preventative, proactive and participatory approach to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards.
Successful candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Records Check prior to commencing employment with the Department. For further information on the position, please refer to the attached position description.
For the purpose of employment in Aboriginal Designated or Aboriginal Prioritised positions within the Victorian public sector, candidates will be asked to provide Confirmation of Aboriginality. This can be confirmed by a Confirmation of Aboriginality form signed by an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation and affixed with the common seal of that organisation. Recognising that access to formal Confirmation of Aboriginality documents can occasionally be problematic, an alternative process can be discussed by emailing [email protected].
Please note: We are committed to inclusive recruitment. If you require an adjustment to participate in any stage of the recruitment process or have a particular requirement to be communicated with by either telephone or email only, please notify the DJSIR Talent Acquisition Team on 0472 875 685, or via email at [email protected] with the position number in the subject line.
How to Apply
Please click the ‘Apply Now' button. To be considered for this role, please provide a resume and cover letter.
In your cover letter, we want to hear your story. Tell us why you want to work with DJSIR and what draws you to this role. We're interested in understanding how your experiences, whether from community, culture, or professional settings, have shaped your experience.
You might choose to share:
- Why this opportunity resonates with you
- A story that demonstrates your cultural leadership and problem-solving approach
- How you've created positive change for mob in your community or workplace
- Your vision for supporting First Nations staff and cultural safety at DJSIR
Feel free to draw on examples from any setting that shows your skills, knowledge and experience. We value both traditional and non-traditional pathways to leadership.
Applications close at 23:59pm on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.
