Chairperson, Sentencing Advisory Council

The Sentencing Advisory Council (the Council) is an independent statutory body established in 2004 under the Sentencing Act 1991 and sits within the Attorney-General's portfolio. The Council's mission is to bridge the gap between the community, the courts and government by informing, educating and advising on sentencing issues.

The Sentencing Act provides that the functions of the Council are to:

• provide statistical information on sentencing, including information on current sentencing practices to members of the judiciary and other interested persons
• conduct research and disseminate information to members of the judiciary and other interested persons on sentencing matters
• gauge public opinion on sentencing matters
• consult on sentencing matters with government departments and other interested persons and bodies as well as the general public
• advise the Attorney-General on sentencing matters
• provide the Court of Appeal with the Council's written views on the giving, or review, of a guideline judgment.

The Board meets once a month in the evenings, both online and in-person in Melbourne. In addition, Board members need to undertake several hours of pre-reading in preparation for the meetings.

The Chair is appointed on a sessional basis. The Chairperson’s role is to chair meetings of the Board and, along with the Chief Executive Officer, provide oversight of the work of the secretariat.

The Chairperson is required to:

• convene meetings as necessary for the efficient conduct of the Council’s business;
• provide high level guidance to the secretariat in relation to Council publications and other products;
• in consultation with the Board of Diectors, set the strategic priorities of the Council;
• comply with various governance obligations on behalf of the Council;
• develop and maintain strategic relations with the Department of Justice and Community Safety and other key stakeholders to support the exercise of the Council’s functions; and
• represent the Council in the media and in other public forums.

The Chairperson holds office for the term (not exceeding three years) that is specified in their instrument of appointment and is eligible for re-appointment.

For more information about the Sentencing Advisory Council, please visit the website at: https://www.sentencingcouncil.vic.gov.au/

Applicants for this role must have extensive knowledge of, and expertise in, the operation of the criminal justice system and sentencing law and be able to demonstrate:

• Strong networks in, and respect from, the criminal justice community, including relevant Ministers and their offices, judicial officers, the legal profession, law reform bodies, legal services, the media, advocates and victims.
• Demonstrated expertise in the development of evidence-based public policy.
• Strong track record in engaging stakeholders with divergent views and in representing those views fairly and effectively in public forums.
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and contribute to both quantitative and qualitative research.

A degree in law, criminology or public policy is essential.

Aboriginal community members and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring that government boards and committees reflect the rich diversity of the Victorian community. We encourage applications from people of all ages, Aboriginal people, people with disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and LGBTIQ+ people. We will provide adjustments to the recruitment process upon request.

You do not have to disclose any personal information if you do not want to, but it can help us understand how we can support you through the recruitment process and beyond. We invite you to tell us if you identify as Aboriginal, a person with disability, from a culturally or linguistically diverse background, LGBTIQ+ or a young person, aged 25 years old or less. If you identify as any of the aforementioned, we would welcome the opportunity to contact you and discuss how we can support you through the recruitment process. Sharing this information will help you access support should you need it and will also help us to better understand the impact of our work.

How to apply

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should address the Key Selection Criteria and include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

Appointees are subject to police and probity checks undertaken routinely in accordance with current government policies. A Declaration of Private Interest is also required.

Applicants with further enquiries may contact Stacey Jordan at Stacey.jordan@justice.vic.gov.au

Applications close at 11:59pm on 10 September 2023.

An independent panel will assess all applications and interview a short-list of candidates.