ALS Justice Reinvestment Engagement Officer

Bourke, NSW

Full time (24-month role) with opportunity to extend

This is an Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander identified position which is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorized under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The focus of this role is to ensure the experiences, expertise and aspirations of Aboriginal community members and young people in Bourke are at the centre of ALS community engagement work.

This role is based at the Bourke ALS office and will work as part of a local multi-disciplinary team in close collaboration with Maranguka (with scope for co-location) and Just Reinvest NSW (JRNSW), and as such will contribute as part of a collaborative team.

In this role you will:

• Support the consolidation, further development, and implementation of the plan for justice circuit breakers to help lower the interactions of Aboriginal people with the justice system as part of the implementation of Maranguka’s Growing Our Kids Up Safe Smart and Strong Strategy
• Support the alignment of the priorities of Maranguka and justice reinvestment with the priorities of the ALS
• Work with the ALS crime solicitors, police, courts, Legal Aid, community members, community organisations, services, government, and other stakeholders to engage with and support implementation of the plan for justice circuit breakers

ABOUT THE ALS

The ALS provides culturally appropriate information and referral, legal advice and court representation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, women and children in NSW and ACT. It is committed to achieving justice for Aboriginal people and the Aboriginal community.

The ALS is an Aboriginal owned and controlled community organisation (ACCO) which is incorporated, limited by guarantee and a registered charity.

ABOUT MARANGUKA

Maranguka, meaning ‘caring for others’ in Ngemba language, and is a model of Indigenous self-governance which empowers community to coordinate services through an Aboriginal community owned and led, multi- disciplinary team working in partnership with relevant government and non- government agencies.

Maranguka uses a Collective Impact approach to reduce youth offending and incarceration, build alternative pathways for young people, and increase community safety.  

ABOUT JUSTICE REINVESTMENT

Justice reinvestment is a way of working that is led by the community, informed by data, and builds strategies to address issues at a local level. The aim is to redirect funding away from prisons and into communities that have high rates of contact with the criminal justice system, through both community-led initiatives and state-wide policy and legislative reform.

JRNSW supports Aboriginal communities to explore and establish justice reinvestment initiatives and advocates for systemic changes that build safer and stronger communities. It began in 2011 as a strategic initiative of the ALS. The team is guided by an Executive of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people and supported by a network of champions and youth ambassadors across the corporate, government and not-for-profit sectors. The ALS auspices JRNSW.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

To be successful in this position you will need to demonstrate:

• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal cultural practices in dealing with community members and staff
• Demonstrated understanding of the justice system, its impacts on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the need for community-led justice reinvestment initiatives
• Understanding the missions and vision of the ALS
• A commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, community leadership and empowerment
• Experience working with and alongside Aboriginal communities
• Demonstrated ability to work with stakeholders to create strong, trusted relationships
• Sound written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to gain consciousness, confidently share ideas and support change
• Highly level organisation and time management skills
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Flexibility and ability to manage varied and conflicting demands to agreed standards and timelines
• Ability to use Microsoft Office software - Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
• Demonstrated commitment to the effective implementation of Workplace Health & Safety and ethical and diversity practices in the workplace
• Double vaccinated against COVID-19

Desirable Criteria

• Experience working with Aboriginal people in Bourke, including young people
• Understanding the Maranguka Growing Our Kids Up Safe Smart and Strong Strategy
• Experience planning and implementing community engagement strategies
• Ability to travel across NSW

HOW TO APPLY

Please CLICK HERE for a copy of the application package for this role.  Application packages are to be sent to Sarah Hopkins (Managing Solicitor, Justice Projects) at E [email protected]. 

Applications for this position close at 5.00pm Friday 19 August 2022.

Only candidates with completed application packages will be considered.