The General Counsel leads the work of the Agency's lawyers in a variety of projects and matters, to ensure the Agency can deliver its statutory functions and comply with all relevant legislation and Australian Government policies. The General Counsel works closely with other teams across the Agency to provide practical solutions to legal and policy issues. Leading a small generalist team, the General Counsel supports the positive culture of the Legal Services section and the training and development of its lawyers.
The General Counsel manages a team of three Senior Government Lawyers (EL1), two Government Lawyers (APS 6) and two part-time paralegals (APS 4). The General Counsel reports to the Branch Head of the Legal and Framework Policy Branch, who along with the General Counsel is the Head of Legal for the Agency. Ideally, candidates will have a minimum of five years post admission experience (PAE) and hold (or be able eligible to hold) an unrestricted practising certificate with the ACT Law Society.
The key duties of the position include
As the leader of a small full service in-house legal advising team, the General Counsel:
provides strategic legal advice to all sections in the Agency on corporate and governance matters, including Commonwealth procurement matters and employment law
provides legal advice to the Agency on proposed amendments to the model WHS laws and associated guidance materials
instructs Parliamentary Counsel's Committee on proposed amendments to the model WHS laws
manages the section's practice, including with respect to personnel management, budgeting and allocating legal resources
prepares legal reporting for Executive sign off (e.g. Office of Legal Services Coordination reporting, FOI and PID reporting)
settles the work of junior lawyers, particularly for complex commercial, employment, governance and WHS matters
guides the development of their legal skills (particularly in statutory interpretation and advice writing)
monitors media, cases and legislative developments to identify and keep up to date on WHS or workers' compensation legal issues
monitors legislation and policy developments to identify and keep up to date on public sector governance issues
provides briefings for Safe Work Australia's Executive on the above, where appropriate or as directed.
key leadership and decision-making roles, for example FOI decision maker, Privacy Officer, roles under the Fraud and Corruption Plan etc.
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