Overview
Location - Parramatta. This role offers hybrid working arrangements in line with departmental policy, with approximately 50% of workdays onsite.
Employment type – Temporary full time role up to 30 June 2026
Salary - $129,464.00 pa - $142,665.00 pa, plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.
What You’ll Do
As a Senior Project Officer, you will lead and support strategic projects encompassing planning, implementation, stakeholder engagement, and reporting to advance reform initiatives. You will provide expert project advice and analysis to facilitate the successful delivery of these initiatives. Collaboration with key divisional stakeholders, non-government service providers, and advocacy groups will be essential to achieving project objectives.
- Drive improvements in the child protection and out-of-home care systems through comprehensive system reform.
- Provide well-researched, balanced, and expert advice within tight timeframes.
- Collaborate extensively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Prepare discussion papers, briefs, and submissions to support effective project delivery.
- Lead project teams navigating complex rules and procedures to achieve high-quality outcomes.
Child and Family, within the System Reform division, leads the development of child protection policy, legislative reform, strategic program design, and program management. As leaders in child protection reform, our focus is on reshaping the child protection and out-of-home care systems to be more responsive, integrated, and culturally safe. We are committed to shifting away from crisis-driven interventions toward proactive, evidence-informed approaches that support families earlier and more effectively.
As a central driver of whole-of-government reform, the team is responsible for developing and evaluating policy, leading legislative change, and designing strategic programs that address complex social challenges. We work closely with other government agencies, service providers, and communities to ensure reforms are grounded in lived experience and deliver meaningful, lasting impact.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking a candidate with a proven ability to lead project delivery in a fast-paced environment, often under pressure, and within complex rules and procedures. You will be skilled at managing competing priorities while navigating a dynamic policy landscape.
In addition to the key responsibilities outlined in the role description, you will possess:
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to provide well-researched, balanced, and expert project advice supported by data and analysis.
- Demonstrated capability in developing and maintaining effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders.
- Essential experience collaborating across government and engaging with political processes.
- Experience in whole-of-government governance and strong secretariat skills are highly desirable.
- An understanding of, or a strong interest in, the child protection and out-of-home care system is highly valued.
How to Apply
Download the role description. If you are viewing this ad on Seek and wish to apply via their portal, you will be required to set up a profile or login via your Seek account. 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 desirable 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
Applications Close
Applications close Tuesday, 21 October 2025 at 11:59 pm AEST.
Contact and Additional Information
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact Kylie Hawkins on or email If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please call Anjy Fayad on or via Visit DCJ recruitment adjustments for more information. A talent pool may be created for future roles and is valid for up to 18 months.
Inclusion and diversity lie at the heart of how we recruit. We hire people with a wide variety of skills, experiences and backgrounds, including people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers and other diversity groups. For more information, visit the DCJ Inclusion and Diversity page.
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📌 Senior Project Officer
🏢 Nsw Department Of Communities And Justice
📍 City of Parramatta Council