Applications for WAJA 2025 are now CLOSED
project officer
Project Officers are student volunteers who work in teams to research and produce a significant body of work that tangibly benefits law, policy and social justice reform efforts.
Our Project Teams work closely with a Partner Organisation to address important criminal justice issues impacting our community. The findings of WAJA’s projects are used by advocates and decision-makers to campaign for and implement criminal justice reform.
Project Officers are closely guided by a Project Supervisor (an expert with practical experience in the project topic) and a Project Mentor (a passionate and experienced legal professional). Our Project Officers meet with their Supervisor(s) and Mentor(s) on a fortnightly basis to review their work, receive guidance and problem-solve real-world issues.
The ideal Project Officer will have:
Passion for social justice, with a particular interest in criminal justice law and policy reform
An understanding of key issues in the criminal justice system and underlying factors which contribute to offending and recidivism
Meaningful law reform, policy, professional and/or volunteering experience
Strong research skills and experience
Good time-management skills, initiative, and dedicated work ethic
Strong teamwork and collaboration skills
High levels of commitment to WAJA’s mission
Time commitment: 8–10 hours per week.
COMMUNICATIONS officer
Communications Officers are student volunteers who plan, produce, edit and publish communications across WAJA’s social media platform, website and email campaign program.
Our Communications Officers also design high-quality and engaging visual content and graphics that support WAJA's communications.
Within the Communications Team, select Communications Officers also manage data analytics and track internal KPIs.
The ideal Communications Officer will:
Work well in a team
Be creative, intuitive, reliable and well organised, with the ability to work under pressure
Have strong communication skills
Have a good understanding of marketing strategy and audience engagement, as well as a good understanding of Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
Be familiar with Canva and Squarespace, with basic photography and videography abilities (preferred but not required; or be willing to learn)
Time commitment: 5–8 hours per week.
advocacy officer
Advocacy Officers strategically plan, develop and implement impactful campaigns relating to criminal justice reform. Advocacy Officers work closely with other social justice organisations to effectively campaign for reform.
Advocacy Officers also strategically engage with traditional and new media, decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders to proactively influence law and policy reform.
Advocacy members gain experience in research, persuasive writing, designing and implementing campaigns for impact and communicating with parliamentarians and other key stakeholders.
The ideal Advocacy Officer will have:
Passion for social justice, with a particular interest in criminal justice law and policy reform
Interest in, and knowledge of, State and Federal Politics
Strong written and verbal communication skills
The ability to liaise with stakeholders in a professional context
Strong interpersonal skills
The ability to create and implement advocacy campaigns for maximum impact
High levels of commitment to WAJA’s mission.
Time commitment: 5–8 hours per week.
outreach officer
Outreach Officers raise community awareness of WAJA as an organisation, its projects and its other activities.
Outreach Officers plan, organise and run all of WAJA’s external-facing and community events. The Outreach Team also focuses on engaging with universities and other stakeholders to promote WAJA and increase student engagement with our organisation.
Outreach Officers gain experience in professional writing, event management, grassroots advocacy, student engagement, and communicating with professionals and the public.
The ideal Outreach Officer will have:
Passion for social justice, with a particular interest in criminal justice law and policy reform
Strong interpersonal skills
Strong public speaking skills
Strong professional writing skills
The ability to liaise with stakeholders in a professional context
Strong organisational skills and the ability to balance competing priorities and tight deadlines
Event management experience
High levels of commitment to WAJA’s mission.
Time commitment: 5–8 hours per week.