Senior Legal Adviser

Department of Government Services VIC; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Government Services VIC in Melbourne seeks two Senior Legal Advisers to provide expert public law advice and manage complex disputes for the department and its portfolio entities. You will handle matters from initiation through potential Supreme Court appeals, with a focus on timely, practical solutions.

Ideal candidates are admitted Australian lawyers eligible for Victorian practising certificates, with strong public law experience and the ability to work across internal and

Qualifications

• Admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer.
• Eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate.
• Experience in public law and disputes within government.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage complex public law and disputes for DGS, including Supreme Court appeals.
• Conduct legal research and statutory interpretation on public law matters.
• Support and collaborate with the Office of the General Counsel executive and leadership.
• Advise on reports, Cabinet papers, briefing notes and submissions.
• Maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Admitted to practice

Australian lawyer

Public law knowledge

Job description

Department of Government Services VIC – Melbourne VIC

Company description

2 x Senior Legal Adviser

Job description

About Us

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.

The Office of the General Counsel

OGC is part of DGS' Organisational Strategy, Governance and Performance Group. OGC navigates legal and policy challenges with technically outstanding legal advice and practical, evidence-based solutions.

About the role

The position provides expert legal advice in relation to public law and dispute matters involving DGS, including challenges to DGS decision making. This includes matters brought against Local Government Victoria, Births Deaths and Marriages, Consumer Affairs Victoria and DGS portfolio entities, offices and assets (including statutory funds and accounts).

The successful candidate will join an energetic and innovative team formed from multiple Departments. We are driven to achieve client-centred outcomes that improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We work flexibly and promote a positive and supportive work environment.

Key Accountabilities

• Independently manage and instruct in multiple complex and sensitive public law and disputes matters involving DGS, including appeals to the Supreme Court of Victoria. This may include some appearance work.
• Undertake legal research and analysis on complex legal public law and disputes matters involving DGS with outstanding statutory interpretation skills.
• Support and work collaboratively with the OGC executive and leadership team.
• Contribute to the identification of new and emerging legal public law and disputes issues within the operational framework relevant to DGS with the potential to impact on the delivery of key Government initiatives in this field.
• Provide advice on reports, Cabinet and Ministerial papers, briefing notes and submissions on complex legal, policy and operational issues relating to DGS.
• Provide quality and timely legal advice and develop associated practical implementation strategies including support and training to DGS staff.
• Maintain effective working relationships, ongoing communication and successful negotiations with key stakeholders both internal and external to the Department.
• Contribute to the review and development of public law and disputes legislation relevant to DGS.
• Contribute to the strategic objectives and work of OGC more broadly, including providing regulatory support and advice as required.

Mandatory requirements

• You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate.

There are 2 x ongoing positions available. The position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

For more information and the key selection criteria, please see the Position Description.

Other relevant information

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing role is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident. Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check.

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.