Aboriginal Program Manager

Aboriginal Program Manager

Location – Parramatta

Employment type – Ongoing (Full Time)

Clerk grade 11/12. Salary – $145,378 - $168,130 plus employer’s superannuation and annual leave loading

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

Are you passionate about creating real change for Aboriginal communities in the criminal justice system?

Your role

In this role, you'll shape and oversee offence-focused and community initiatives, ensuring resources are managed effectively to make a genuine impact. You'll also contribute to policy development, advocating for solutions to the challenges Aboriginal people face within the justice system.

What you’ll do

Lead the development and management of strategic programs that support Aboriginal Services Unit clients, staff, and the community, collaborating with frontline staff to drive impactful initiatives. Oversee all aspects of program implementation, from planning and resource coordination to budgeting, data management, and reporting.

Provide expert, evidence-based advice to senior leadership, ensuring informed decision-making for the business unit’s future. Cultivate and maintain key stakeholder relationships to enhance program development, service design, and policy implementation helping to reduce Aboriginal overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.

Guide and empower your team through coaching and professional development, ensuring high performance in delivering priorities. Manage procurement processes and contracts, ensuring compliance with service agreements. Deliver a variety of strategic and operational documents, including briefings, reports, ministerial responses, and media content.

What we’re looking for

• Excellent knowledge of the NSW criminal justice system, including issues that contribute to disproportionate rates of Aboriginal participation as both victims and offenders.
• Current NSW Driver’s licence and willingness to travel to various locations across NSW.
• Proficient experience in complex and sensitive consultations and negotiations with a diverse range of stakeholders—ensuring timely outcomes while balancing different expectations, viewpoints, and interests.
• Strong communication skills are essential, with the ability to engage effectively across varied audiences to foster collaboration and clarity.

Note: In accordance with Clause 26 of the NSW Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014 and in accordance with Sections 14 and 21 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 the Department of Communities and Justice considers that being of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is a genuine occupational qualification for this role and preference will be given to candidates who meet the pre-established standards:

• Documented verification of Aboriginality.

The Department will accept proof of Aboriginality confirming the following:

1. You are an aboriginal person of Aboriginal descent;
2. You identify as being Aboriginal; and

An acceptable form of documented verification is a “Confirmation of Aboriginality” letter, provided to you by a local Aboriginal organisation that includes a common seal from that organisation.

It is an essential requirement of the role that successful applicants are fully vaccinated and able to provide acceptable proof of vaccination status.

Download the role description.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit 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, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 2 targeted questions below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

1. Describe a situation/project/program where you had to shift your priorities due to changing circumstances, such as new government policy, legislative changes or budget constraints. How did you reassess and adjust your planning, and what impact did these changes have on your team or stakeholders? 

2. Provide at least two examples of a time when you designed a service or process based on client/customer needs and feedback from staff?  How did you ensure it aligned with organisational objectives, and what steps did you take to monitor and improve service delivery.

Applications close Thursday 8 May 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 Edwina Crawford, P: 0472 830 532 or E: 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 Rosie Matamaki on 9765 3235 or via rosie.matamaki@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, visit Inclusion 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 Your recruitment journey 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.