Program Assistant, Transform Lives Program

Job Description

The Griffith Criminology Institute (GCI) is a large, diverse, and high-performing group of scholars focused on crime and justice issues. Through collaboration and innovation our research is helping find solutions to universal problems. GCI hosts the Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives Centre. The Centre’s vision is to support mothers and their children to have safe, dignified, and fulfilling lives, breaking down intergenerational cycles of disadvantage and incarceration, by transforming systems and generating new knowledge for evidence-based programs.

The Transforming Corrections to Transform Lives (TCTL) Centre is seeking to appoint a Program Assistant, for the Southeast Queensland area. The Program Assistant will provide practical and administrative support to the team of Program Coaches and the Program Manager, including providing direct practical support to women and children in the Transform Lives Program. The Program aspires to ensure that mothers are provided with continuity of care until they have sufficient stability and are sufficiently empowered to continue meeting their needs, improving their own lives, and supporting the positive development of their children. The program of support will:

1. Be multimodal in its approach (addressing not just parenting skills but also mental health needs, substance use problems, housing needs, etc);
2. Be multisystemic, working across the multiple developmental systems that parents and children have contact with (e.g., prisons, family, schools, community, employment, multiple agencies, and service providers), and
3. Work with parents and their children during the custody period and for a substantial period after release.
4. Be rigorously evaluated by the TCTL Centre researchers.

Key responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Providing practical support to women and children in the Transform Lives Program, including where appropriate, attending homes or correctional facilities to provide transport; responding appropriately to telephone queries; and administration required for referrals or uptake of relevant services.
• Providing general administrative support, including but not limited to; ordering stationery, catering and routine procurement; managing room/venue bookings; undertaking reception duties; organising meetings, building access, taxi vouchers and visitor parking.
• Assisting in managing the flow of information, including managing records in the Client and Case Management System and other relevant databases, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained.
• Working collaboratively with key internal and external stakeholders and service providers in the community to support the work of the Transform Lives Program.

About you
The occupant of this position will hold a diploma level qualification with relevant work experience, or an equivalent combination of relevant skills, knowledge and experience.

You should have a general understanding of the role of professionals working in the human/social services sector and their engagement with a range of government and non-government organisations. Knowledge of the challenges facing incarcerated women and their children is highly desirable.

You will have the ability to work effectively with First Nations women and children and to understand and respect First Nations ways of knowing, being and doing, and knowledge of the issues that may impact them in contemporary society and in a forensic context. You will have demonstrated experience working cross culturally with a solid understanding of cultural competency.

You will also have:

• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively and effectively with government and non-government agencies and with clients and their families through the use of well-developed communication skills.
• High-level interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, and highly developed verbal and written communication skills as well as strong organisational skills.
• An ability to be self-motivated and able to demonstrate a high level of individual initiative, discretion, attention to detail and judgement.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimal supervision to meet competing deadlines and work effectively as a team member.

You must hold a valid driver’s licence for Queensland. You must hold a valid blue card in Queensland or be eligible to obtain one upon appointment.

The TCTL Centre is committed to ensuring that program delivery and evaluation recognises, respects, and is inclusive of, Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

What we can offer
This is a fixed term (to 30 June 2027) position with a potential for extension based at Griffith University Brisbane South (Nathan). The advertised role is full-time, although requests for a fractional appointment (e.g. 0.8FTE) may be considered.  As Griffith is a multi-site University you may be required to work across other locations. Griffith University’s campuses are located on the lands of the Yugarabul, Yuggera, Jagera, Turrbal, Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.

It is expected that the successful candidate will undertake some travel within Southeast Queensland and surrounding areas in supporting the delivery of the Transform Lives Program. When travel is necessary, a vehicle (or expense provision) will be provided to support the successful candidate in carrying out their duties.

Salary Range
The full-time equivalent base salary for a HEW Level 4 is in the range $76,126 - $80,321 per annum + 17% superannuation. The total FTE package will be in the range $89,067 - $93,976 per annum.

Additional Information

Why Griffith? 
As a values-led organisation, at Griffith University, we've worked hard to create a dynamic and strong organisational culture. We offer: 

• Wide range of Learning and Development opportunities 
• Salary packaging options and corporate health discounts 
• Generous leave entitlements including paid parental leave and leave loading 
• Support with future learning opportunities through our educational staff assistance scheme 

How to Apply 
At Griffith, we’re committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all - whoever you are and wherever you’re from. If you require any accommodations, we welcome you to let us know so we can work with you to participate fully in our recruitment experience. 

Griffith University values diversity, inclusion and flexibility and we encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and people of all backgrounds to apply. For more information please visit our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion page. Our University is committed to fostering a safe, respectful and inclusive community for all. In alignment with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (2025), Griffith University includes a declaration as part of the recruitment journey to uphold the values and standards of our community. Griffith University also maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against all forms of modern slavery. For more information, please refer to Griffith’s Modern Slavery Policy.

Please submit your application online and ensure it includes the following: 

• A covering letter outlining your suitability for the role (please refer to the About you section above and the position description)
• Current curriculum vitae/resume including full contact details 

Applicants must have unrestricted work rights. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Successful candidates will be subject to a criminal history check.

For further information specifically about this role, please contact Jaime O’Donovan, Program Manager at [email protected] or phone 0421 758 181. 

For further application and recruitment advice, please contact Theresa Burke, Talent Acquisition Partner on [email protected].

Closing date: Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 11:59pm AEST. All applications must be submitted online.

Please allow at least 1 – 2 weeks from the closing date to expect an application update.