Title:  Negotiator

About Us

We work for the people of Victoria by helping the Government achieve its strategic objectives. We do this by supporting the Premier, the Minister for Treaty and First Peoples and the Multicultural Affairs, as well as the Cabinet. Our vision is to be recognised and respected leaders in whole-of-government policy and performance. 

DPC upholds and demonstrates the values of the VPS and is the embodiment of VPS leadership.  DPC’s values are adopted from the Public Administration Act 2004: 

• Leadership 

• Integrity 

• Responsiveness 

• Impartiality 

• Accountability 

• Respect 

• Commitment to Human Rights. 

The Treaty Negotiations and Strategy Branch within the Office of the Secretary in the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is seeking talented and passionate individuals committed to progressing the Victorian Government’s nation leading work with First Peoples. This is a unique opportunity to work in new and innovative ways that recognise First Peoples as the self-determining drivers of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria. This role will contribute to ground-breaking work in the areas of truth, Treaty, self-determination and cultural rights.   

The role of a Negotiator for the State relates to requirements established under the Treaty Negotiation Framework and mandated by the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018. Clause 20 of the Treaty Negotiation Framework outlines the Leadership Minimum Standards that the State must meet before it can enter into Treaty negotiations. 

This position is being filled due to the departure of the previous incumbent and does not represent a new position within the organisation. 

Together with the Lead Negotiator, the Negotiator will play a key role supporting Treaty negotiations with First Peoples’ Treaty bodies. The Negotiator will work in a dynamic, ground-breaking area with few precedents as Victoria implements and advances Treaty in genuine partnership with Aboriginal Victorians. 

In addition to working with Treaty partners, the Negotiator will capture, reflect and represent the interests of the State while ensuring that State acts fairly, and in good faith, as an equal Treaty partner.  

Reporting to the Lead Negotiator, the successful applicant will possess excellent policy and analytical skills, as well as a strong track record of written and verbal communication skills. The successful applicant will be comfortable working in a changing and dynamic environment, and able to produce high-quality products and strategic advice under limited direction. You will be confident in managing and anticipating projects, leading and taking ownership of complex policy issues, and providing high-quality strategic advice on Treaty and related matters to senior executives, the Minister for First Peoples, the Premier and Cabinet. You will have a proven track record in managing culturally safe teams that deliver high-quality work to often tight timeframes. 

The Office of the Secretary recognises the invaluable contribution of existing Aboriginal staff and is committed to promoting Aboriginal leadership as reflected in the Group’s executive team. The Group welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and strongly encourages all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people interested in these positions to apply. 

About you 

As our ideal candidate you will have: 

1. The ability to develop, coordinate and engage as an interface between the State and First Peoples Representative bodies in Treaty, advance implementation of existing commitments and obligations, track positions and agreements, and ensure team conduct is in accordance with State authorisations and requirements under Treaty legislation.  

2. A demonstrated ability to initiate, develop and maintain collaborative working relationships across DPC, with external stakeholders, and as required, other government departments and portfolios to broker optimal, mutually beneficial, good faith solutions to challenges as they arise in discussions with Treaty bodies.      

3. A highly developed understanding of systemic State intersections with marginalised or vulnerable groups and the ability to apply superior analytical skills to conduct negotiations in an innovative and effective manner which establishes a negotiation interface with First Peoples in accordance with the State’s obligations, and which supports development of State negotiation positions.

4. A demonstrated ability to provide high level authoritative and strategic advice and research on complex matters relating to the State’s partnership with Treaty bodies and other work necessary to progress Treaty. 

5. A demonstrated ability to lead a culturally safe, positive and collaborative organisational culture, supportive of learning and development, innovation and continuous improvement in a dynamic environment.    
6. The ability to deliver duties and represent the State’s interests in negotiations with stakeholders and/or Treaty Bodies, in accordance with the Treaty Guiding Principles, and public service obligations to act in the public interest and support the government of the day. 

6. The ability to support State discussions with Treaty bodies and ensure that the State’s interests are represented and advanced fairly and in good faith.   

This is a Fixed Term, Full-Time position until 30 June 2027. This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

For more information, please see the Position Description.

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on Sunday 5 July 2026. All applications should include:  

·       a resume; and  

·       a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages).

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  Preferred applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.