Job Description
Policy & Projects Officer
Location - Parramatta
Employment type – Temporary full-time role until early February 2027.
Salary - $113,574.00 pa - $125,720.00 pa, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
Your role
We are seeking a self-motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative Policy and Projects Officer to join the Diversion Team in the Justice Programs Branch, within the Women, Family and Community Safety Directorate.
What You’ll Do
The Diversion team develops policy and programs that improve diversion responses for vulnerable and complex groups in contact with the criminal justice system, particularly people with drug and alcohol, mental health and cognitive impairment.
Specifically, you will be supporting the delivery of MERIT, a court-based diversion program for adults facing charges in the Local Court who have issues related to their ******* and other drug use.
MERIT is implemented in partnership with NSW Health and provides eligible participants access to ******* and other drugs treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned. The program has been shown to reduce the harms of ******* and other drugs use, reduce reoffending, improve health and wellbeing, increase access to health support and assist with better sentencing outcomes.
Your Tasks And Responsibilities Will Include
Supporting the multi-agency governance for MERIT including the Program Working Group and Steering Committee.
Supporting implementation of a range of communication and engagement activities to drive program awareness and implementation.
Supporting the development of a range of MERIT reporting outputs, including annual reports, evaluation activities, and other performance and outcome updates.
Manage communication with key stakeholders to facilitate effective program delivery and collaborative problem-solving.
Develop and implement special projects to improve program delivery and reach to target cohorts including women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for organised, self-motivated and collaborative candidates who can demonstrate:
Communicating and working collaboratively with a range of stakeholder groups.
Strong research, analysis and writing skills, including previous work that requires critical thinking and problem-solving.
Experience preparing or contributing to discussion papers, briefs and submissions to support policy and project initiatives.
Successfully managing multiple tasks with competing deadlines, and delivering high quality work, on time.
A commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
Desirable But Not Essential Skills And Experience
Experience working on ******* and other drug policy and program responses and/or criminal justice policy projects/programs.
Experience with communication and engagement activities to support program implementation.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
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 a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Nichola Beland on 0483XXXXXX or via email at nicky.beland@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 Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3042 or via anjy.fayad@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.
Location - Parramatta
Employment type – Temporary full-time role until early February 2027.
Salary - $113,574.00 pa - $125,720.00 pa, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading
Your role
We are seeking a self-motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative Policy and Projects Officer to join the Diversion Team in the Justice Programs Branch, within the Women, Family and Community Safety Directorate.
What You’ll Do
The Diversion team develops policy and programs that improve diversion responses for vulnerable and complex groups in contact with the criminal justice system, particularly people with drug and alcohol, mental health and cognitive impairment.
Specifically, you will be supporting the delivery of MERIT, a court-based diversion program for adults facing charges in the Local Court who have issues related to their ******* and other drug use.
MERIT is implemented in partnership with NSW Health and provides eligible participants access to ******* and other drugs treatment services for 12 weeks while court matters are adjourned. The program has been shown to reduce the harms of ******* and other drugs use, reduce reoffending, improve health and wellbeing, increase access to health support and assist with better sentencing outcomes.
Your Tasks And Responsibilities Will Include
Supporting the multi-agency governance for MERIT including the Program Working Group and Steering Committee.
Supporting implementation of a range of communication and engagement activities to drive program awareness and implementation.
Supporting the development of a range of MERIT reporting outputs, including annual reports, evaluation activities, and other performance and outcome updates.
Manage communication with key stakeholders to facilitate effective program delivery and collaborative problem-solving.
Develop and implement special projects to improve program delivery and reach to target cohorts including women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.
What We’re Looking For
We are looking for organised, self-motivated and collaborative candidates who can demonstrate:
Communicating and working collaboratively with a range of stakeholder groups.
Strong research, analysis and writing skills, including previous work that requires critical thinking and problem-solving.
Experience preparing or contributing to discussion papers, briefs and submissions to support policy and project initiatives.
Successfully managing multiple tasks with competing deadlines, and delivering high quality work, on time.
A commitment to reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
Desirable But Not Essential Skills And Experience
Experience working on ******* and other drug policy and program responses and/or criminal justice policy projects/programs.
Experience with communication and engagement activities to support program implementation.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
We focus on hiring people who share our commitment and goals of inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, courage and integrity. If you meet the essential requirements and the role resonates with you, please apply – you do not need to meet every desired requirement for us to want to talk to you.
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 a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) outlining how you meet the requirements of the role as well as an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages).
Applications close Tuesday, 17 February 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Nichola Beland on 0483XXXXXX or via email at nicky.beland@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 Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3042 or via anjy.fayad@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.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Policy and Projects Officer position is now open for candidates interested in the Legal Jobs sector. This role in Parramatta offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Legal Jobs is a plus.
