Senior Policy & Project Officer (Multiple Opportunities Available)

The Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS) was established in a critical act of self-determination over 50 years ago as part of the Aboriginal rights protest movement. We provide high-quality, culturally safe legal and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT, and fight for social justice and equity for our communities.

Your Impact
As a valued member of the Justice Reform Projects team, you’ll play a key role in the development and delivery of key justice policy initiatives aiming to transform systems impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults and children in NSW. You will be responsible for developing and delivering project outputs and working with government and community stakeholders on one of two Closing the Gap initiatives: the Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy or Therapeutic Pathways for Children. Each day, you will:

• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including ACCOs, government partners and non-government organisations.
• Lead the development and delivery of critical project outputs and contribute to project planning, management and reporting.
• Undertake research, stakeholder engagement and consultation, policy analysis and policy development.
• Support preparation of briefings, submissions and project outputs, integrating evidence, data and community insights.
• Attend and contribute to meetings, workshops and forums with project partners and sector stakeholders.
• Develop and maintain justice systems knowledge, uphold ethical standards, and contribute to collaborative team practice.

 
Your Story & Strengths
You are a strategic and values-driven policy professional with experience delivering complex justice reform projects, developing evidence-based policy and building meaningful partnerships. With a deep understanding of the cultural, social and historical factors impacting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, you bring strong research, stakeholder engagement and communication skills to help advance Aboriginal-led solutions and create lasting systems change. Key strengths include:

• Tertiary qualifications in law, social policy, public policy or a related discipline, with demonstrated experience in policy development and project delivery.
• Strong research, policy analysis and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop high-quality advice, reports and policy outputs.
• Demonstrated understanding of the impacts of justice systems on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, with a commitment to advancing their rights, aspirations and outcomes.
• Proven project management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, work independently and deliver outcomes within deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate with diverse audiences including communities, ACCOs and government partners.
• Demonstrated cultural capability, including respect for Aboriginal cultures, communities and ways of working, with the ability to travel and obtain a National Police Check and Working with Children Check (NSW).

Our Journey Together
At ALS, you’ll find a career that truly matters, one where your work has purpose and impact every day. We are proud to offer a supportive and rewarding environment with a range of generous benefits, including:

• Not-for-profit salary packaging to reduce your tax burden, which means you get to keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket.
• Annual leave loading of 17.5%, ensuring that you are rewarded for your time off and can enjoy a well-deserved break.
• Career and professional development opportunities.

Caring for Community & You
To protect the communities we serve, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of safe recruitment practices. Therefore, it is essential that candidates either possess or have the capacity to obtain a current and valid National Police Check and Working with Children (NSW) check for this role.

ALS is committed to equal opportunity and cultural safety in recruitment for all candidates. If you identify as a person with a disability and need any adjustments or support throughout the recruitment process, please contact our Talent Team at [email protected] - we will work with you to ensure an accessible and supportive experience.

Interested in learning more? Contact our Talent Team at [email protected] to request a copy of the full Position Description.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, as applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
  
Additional Information:
  
This recruitment covers 2 full-time positions.

1x Full-Time Position – Senior Policy & Project Officer – Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy Project
Support the delivery of the Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy, a key Closing the Gap justice reform initiative focused on strengthening culturally appropriate supports for Aboriginal adults and children before, during and after contact with custody. Working alongside Aboriginal communities, ACCOs and government partners, you’ll help develop policy, programs and pathways that support healing, reintegration and improved justice outcomes.

1x Full-Time Position – Senior Policy & Project Officer – Therapeutic Pathways for Children Project
Support the delivery of Therapeutic Pathways for Children, a transformative justice reform initiative designed to create culturally safe, community-led alternatives for Aboriginal children at risk of entering the criminal justice system. Working with Aboriginal communities, ACCOs, young people and government partners, you’ll help shape pathways that keep children connected to family, culture and community and increase the voice of systems-impacted Aboriginal young people in the design of policies and programs that impact them.

Please note: A resume and cover letter addressing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the position description is mandatory. Applicants should also clearly specify which role they are applying for: Aboriginal Throughcare Strategy or Therapeutic Pathways for Children.