The Role
General Counsel - Dispute Resolution and Litigation (GC-DRL) in Defence Legal is seeking appropriately qualified, dynamic and motivated EL 1 Legal Officers to join the Branch in its Canberra office.
Successful candidates will need to be able to work collaboratively within GC-DRL to manage, assess and advise on highly sensitive and often complex legal claims against the Commonwealth. These claims often involve financial and reputational risk.
An EL 1 Legal Officer:
Is accountable under broad direction to perform and achieve complex to very complex legal work within an integrated workforce. They will require an in-depth knowledge of and compliance with legislative frameworks, government decision-making and Defence's mission and policy requirements. Will exercise a considerable degree of independence and perform a subject matter expert role. They will exercise sound decision making and judgement to provide expert policy advice. They will have in-depth knowledge of the legal function and are responsible for the development, implementation, compliance and review of policies and procedures relevant to their work within that function. They will engage in complex to very complex problem solving and issues management and may coordinate and perform detailed or sensitive projects that impact on strategic, political or operational outcomes for Defence. May be a team coach or lead a project or administrative team and will be accountable for the outcomes of the teams work and the appropriate use of resources to produce and achieve outcomes. They are expected to be capable of building team capability through coaching and feedback and reviewing and developing the quality of work undertaken by others within a work unit. They may exercise the associated people and financial responsibilities to achieve work unit outcomes. Will be responsible for actively managing key stakeholder relationships and will be required to identify relevant stakeholders' expectations and concerns to develop and communicate methodologies and practices to achieve outcomes. They will be accountable to contribute towards ongoing self-improvement and professional development of their work area.
This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Agreement (DEA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.
About our Team
Defence Legal is a culturally diverse and inclusive organisation. It is a critical enabler that provides legal services to the Department of Defence, including the Australian Defence Force. The legal services provided by Defence Legal cut across broad ranging issues that contribute to the capability of Defence achieving its mission to defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia's security and prosperity.
GC-DR&L, within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on significant litigation matters and regularly works to Court deadlines. Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:
Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims. Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants. Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse. Managing historic contamination-related claims. Our Ideal Candidate Manage staff, resources, workloads and priorities to deliver timely, cost-effective and quality legal services. Coordinate, perform and support legal activities and tasks, ensuring compliance with Defence governance requirements. Apply legal knowledge to provide representation and present at various internal and external forums. Understand and apply legal knowledge and expertise in the preparation of legally-related doctrine, documents, advice, briefs, correspondence and talking points including matters of a sensitive nature. Communicate in a clear, concise, accurate and articulate manner, both in writing and orally. Liaise and work collaboratively with stakeholders and negotiate in a persuasive manner to achieve business outcomes. Assess and comply with legislative, policy and regulatory frameworks. Analyse complex to very complex issues, applying legal expertise to identify, design and propose solutions. Contribute to strategic initiatives and high-level matters in support of senior legal staff.
They will also:
Be a motivated self-starter. Be a team player, and positively contribute to the work of the team. Have excellent attention to detail. Be flexible and adaptable to changing work priorities. Security Clearance
Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance of 'Baseline Vetting'
Mandatory Qualification Hold a relevant degree in law (or equivalent qualification); Hold a graduate diploma in legal practice (or equivalent); Be admitted as a lawyer, legal practitioner, barrister, solicitor or barrister and solicitor of the High Court or Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory; and Be eligible to hold and maintain a practising certificate in the jurisdiction in which they practice. #J-18808-Ljbffr