Senior Advisor - Engagement (Identified) , Office of the Queensland Ombudsman

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development of strategies to ensure the inspections and reviews of detention services have regard to the cultural background and vulnerability of detainees and their families.
• Support the conduct inspections and review of detention services by contributing to planning, fieldwork and reporting; and assist in the arrangement for suitable persons to help detainees to communicate their view or wishes.
• Support and help maintain effective relationships with individuals and groups who may assist the Inspector to engage with adult and child detainees who:
• identify as an Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander or another cultural background;
• have vulnerabilities, such as disability, language barriers and previous experience of trauma and abuse.
• Provide support to the Principal Advisor, Engagement, to consult and engage stakeholders who can contribute to improvement of detention services. For example, detainees, family and friends of detainees, and community organisations.
• Build networks with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples organisations and stakeholder groups across Queensland to establish effective engagement and support effective participation in inspections and reviews.
• Represent the Inspector and the work unit at engagement events or forums as required.
• Assist in the preparation of correspondence, briefs, reports and submissions relevant to detention services.
• Work independently as well as be a constructive and positive member of a small team.
• Liaise with relevant external agency personnel associated with inspections and reviews.
• Apply business management skills to assess and mitigate risks, analyse performance data and trends and initiate improvements.

You will also be expected to:

• work collaboratively with other team members, participate in meetings and training programs, and actively monitor, review and assist with improvements to policy, procedure, process and administrative practice across the OQO and stakeholder agencies
• provide support and guidance for a culturally inclusive and safe workplace, ensuring cultural identity and perspectives are valued
• adhere to the OQO Code of Conduct and values; workplace health and safety legislation; confidentiality policies; all other relevant policies, directives and legislation
• meet personal performance expectations and standards
• undertake other duties as directed by relevant senior officers.

Technical expertise:  

• Ability to work effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples (including detainees and their families) and have a clear understanding of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
• An understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and the spiritual connection to country, customs and values.
• Ability to sensitively communicate with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds.

Identified role

This position is designated as Indigenous Identified, an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is one who:

• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and either
• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent; or
• is accepted as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which he or she lives.

Verification

Applicants to this position may have to provide confirmation of their Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage. Requesting proof of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander heritage from applicants helps to make sure that this intention is honoured. This may include a signed statutory declaration by the person as outlined in this Evidence of Attribute – Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Identified Roles ( ) .

Travel: Travel throughout Queensland (including regional and remote areas), for a number of days at a time, may be required.

Working hours: Work may be required to be undertaken outside normal working hours, e.g. weekend and night time.

Driver's licence: A driver's licence is required. See Guidelines for applicants for details.