ABOUT YOU

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Lived experience as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, with deep knowledge of your community, culture, and the impacts of the legal system.
• Strong skills in building relationships, working in partnership, and influencing change.
• Experience leading projects or services that put people and culture first.
• Clear communication skills – written and spoken – and the ability to explain complex ideas in plain language.
• Good organisational skills and the ability to manage priorities.
• A strong understanding of VLA’s work or a willingness to learn and commit to our values.

Don’t meet every requirement? At VLA, we understand that your work and life experiences can be just as valuable. If you’re excited about this role but your CV doesn’t align perfectly with our job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or one of our many other opportunities.

ABOUT THIS ROLE

• Full time ongoing position (part-time considered)
• Salary range: $138,909 - $162,060 (pro rata) plus super plus salary packaging
• Up to $15,900 in salary packaging and hybrid WFH & office model

ABOUT THE ROLE

Victoria Legal Aid (VLA) is looking for a strong First Nations leader to guide our work in advocacy, reform, and community engagement.
As the Manager – Strategic Advocacy and Policy, you will play an important role in making sure that First Nations voices, experiences, and priorities are central to our advocacy and legal reform work.

You will:

• Lead strategic projects that drive change, including responding to recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
• Build strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations, working together to develop shared advocacy goals.
• Provide expert cultural and strategic advice to help shape VLA’s policies, services, and reform work.
• Work with community to gather and share lived experience stories (with consent) to support law reform efforts.

This role is an opportunity to lead meaningful work that supports self-determination, community-led advocacy, and long-term structural change.
This is a special measures role and only First Nations people are eligible to apply, as per the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
This role is based at our Melbourne CBD office on Wurundjeri Country, but we welcome applications from candidates outside the Melbourne metro area.