Senior Advocate

Victoria Police; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 116,000 - 141,000; Full time

Job summary

Victoria Police seeks a Senior Advocate in Legal Services, based in Melbourne, to advance in-court advocacy and contribute to high-stakes prosecutions.

The role involves appearing in Criminal and Family Violence matters across the State, coordinating prosecutions, mentoring prosecutors, and delivering high-level written advice while building strong internal and external partnerships.

Qualifications

• Admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer (Unrestricted Practising Certificate).
• Advocacy experience, preferably prosecutorial.
• Knowledge of criminal law, evidence and procedure.
• Ability to provide high-level oral and written advice.

Responsibilities

• Appearing on behalf of Victoria Police in Criminal and Family Violence Magistrate's Court matters across the State.
• Coordinating and managing prosecutions, including preparation and oversight of matters in court, and instructing counsel as necessary.
• Coordinating and case managing criminal prosecutions as required.
• Providing advice, mentoring and professional development to Prosecutors and Police Lawyers within Prosecutions Branch.
• Preparing high-level written advice to the organisation within areas of specialisation.
• Developing, engaging with, and maintaining professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

In-court advocacy

Criminal law

Youth justice

Complex and sensitive matters

Job description

This is an exciting opportunity to progress your career and obtain valuable experience working as a Senior Advocate within Legal Services at Victoria Police.

This role is located within the Prosecutions Branch Advocacy Unit, within the Courts and Prosecution Services Division, based out of Melbourne but supporting a range of Prosecution Units across Victoria. The role offers the opportunity to gain valuable in-court advocacy experience.

We are ideally looking for someone with in-court advocacy experience in criminal law, youth-justice, or the running of complex and sensitive legal matters.

The role will require you to develop and maintain collaborative internal relationships as well as work with external stakeholders across agencies, as part of a broad network that will ensure cooperative and proactive approaches to addressing community harm.

Victoria Police is a professional, diverse and flexible workforce that continues to lead the way in victim centric support, whilst striving to prevent and reduce community harm.

Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements.

Your duties will include:

• Appearing on behalf of Victoria Police in a wide range of Criminal and Family Violence Magistrate's Court matters across the State.
• Coordinating and managing prosecutions, including the preparation and oversight of matters in court, the prosecution of contest mentions, contested hearings, and instructing counsel as necessary, including family violence related matters.
• Coordinating and case managing criminal prosecutions as required.
• Providing advice, mentoring and professional development to Prosecutors and Police Lawyers within Prosecutions Branch.
• Preparing high-level written advice to the organisation within areas of specialisation.
• Developing, engaging with, and maintaining professional working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

As the successful applicant, you will have:

• Admission to practice as an Australian Lawyer (Unrestricted Practising Certificate).
• Demonstrated advocacy experience with a preference for prosecutorial experience.
• Relevant knowledge and experience in criminal law, evidence and procedure.
• Experience in providing high level and confidential oral and written advice within areas of specialisation.
• Demonstrated high level and professional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to monitor client and stakeholder satisfaction and constructively manage stakeholder issues to ensure positive outcomes for the stakeholder and the organisation.
• A proven record of ethical behaviour and a demonstrated commitment to the Victoria Police Code of Ethics and Conduct, Financial Code of Practice, Organisational Values, the Victims' Charter and the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment within tight timeframes and case manage a number of different and complex matters.

Requirements and relevant information:

• Two (2) x full-time, fixed term until 30/06/2030 positions available.
• The salary range for a VPS5 role is $116,413 - $140,849 (covering salary ranges VPSG 5.1 and VPSG 5.2). Although it is standard practice for selected candidates to commence at the base of the salary range, genuine consideration will be given to a commencement salary within the available range that is commensurate with the successful candidate's knowledge, skills and experiences. This will be subject to negotiations with the Hiring Manager in the course of the selection process and may include the provision of evidence of a higher income and/or supporting documentation (as required).
• These positions are located at Prosecutions Branch Headquarters, located at 456 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. However, will be a requirement of these positions to travel to Magistrate's Courts across the State as required.
• Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.
• The successful applicant will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening.
• As a member of the Legal Services Department you will be located, on selection, at a specific office within a Division for a particular advertised opportunity. However, given occasional legal service demand issues you may be required at times to undertake varied work within the Department. This supports the Departments commitment to a flexible and deployable legal workforce and professional development opportunities in a range of legal domains.

About Us:

Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety.

Victoria Police is committed to creating a workplace that is safe and inclusive of all our people. We empower and expect our people, at all levels, to develop interpersonal connections and collaborate, use sound judgement, and create and innovate.

In alignment with the principle of self-determination, Victoria Police is dedicated to enhancing our collaboration with the Aboriginal community in Victoria as we build a culturally safe and inclusive workplace for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. We continue to engage and build relationships with local Aboriginal communities and work closely with them to enhance opportunities and services aimed at empowerment, equality, and equal participation across all areas of the organisation.

We value the diversity and differences of our employees, including their age, gender, culture, religion, sexual orientation, abilities, and life experience. We celebrate these diverse experiences and perspectives as each person brings an informed and contemporary approach to our work which enhances the wellbeing of all. We aim to provide a safe place that is reflective of the community it serves, allowing everyone to bring their whole selves to work.”

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