Senior Legal Advisor

Department of Premier and Cabinet; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Premier and Cabinet – Melbourne VIC is seeking a Senior Legal Advisor to prepare high‑level legal and policy documents, liaise with external stakeholders, and support the Council’s statutory functions. You will brief external counsel, summarise complex legal advice, and act as the first point of contact for RAP complaints.

The role requires Australian citizenship, a current practising certificate, and extensive Victorian legal experience in Aboriginal cultural heritage matters.

Qualifications

• We require extensive knowledge of Victorian legislation and legal practice relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage and Traditional Owner corporations.
• Ability to critically analyse complex information and inform policy development and decision-making.
• Strong written communication to prepare complex legal briefs, advice, determinations, correspondence and reports.

Responsibilities

• Provide authoritative legal and policy advice on governance, registration and monitoring of Registered Aboriginal Parties, and management of Aboriginal objects and ancestral remains.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports, submissions, legal documents and correspondence for the Council, government, Ministers and departmental Secretaries.
• Lead and contribute to legal and policy projects supporting the Council’s legislative functions, including research and analysis of registration applications.
• Manage legal proceedings before tribunals and courts and provide strategic recommendations on complex legal and policy matters.

Job description

Department of Premier and Cabinet – Melbourne VIC

At the Department of Premier and Cabinet, we drive meaningful outcomes delivering real impact across Government and for Victorians. As a part of a central VPS agency supporting the Premier and Portfolio Ministers,you’llbe part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values flexibility and innovation.

About the Group

The First Peoples – State Relations Group supports an extensive program of priority work with First Peoples, applying a strong understanding of self-determination to our work practices and in providing clear and robust advice to the Minister for First Peoples, Premier, Cabinet and Senior Executives.

The First Peoples – State Relations Group is responsible for nation leading work in the areas of cultural rights, self-determination, treaty and truth. We recognise Victoria’s First Peoples as the self-determining drivers of Aboriginal affairs in Victoria. We are committed to building ongoing, just and respectful relationships between self-determining First Peoples and the State as a priority focus.

About the Role

At the direction of Special Counsel, the Senior Legal Advisor will be responsible for the preparation of high-level legal and policy documents to support the delivery of Council’s statutory functions and responsibilities. The occupant will regularly liaise with external stakeholders including Victorian Traditional Owners, other government departments, external independent legal counsel and members of the public. The occupant will be required to prepare briefs for external counsel and summarise and present to Council high-level legal advice for Council’s consideration and decision making. The occupant will be required to be the first point of contact for complaints made to Council about the performance of RAPs.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide authoritative legal and policy advice on complex issues relating to the Council’s governance, registration and monitoring of Registered Aboriginal Parties, and the management of Aboriginal objects and ancestral remains.
• Prepare high-quality briefings, reports, submissions, legal documents and correspondence for the Council, government, Ministers and departmental Secretaries.
• Lead and contribute to legal and policy projects supporting the Council’s legislative functions, including research and analysis of applications from Aboriginal groups seeking registration.
• Manage legal proceedings before relevant tribunals and courts and provide strategic recommendations on complex legal and policy matters arising from the Council’s functions.

About You

We are seeking applicants who have demonstrated experience from the following criteria:

• Extensive knowledge of Victorian legislation and legal practice relating to Aboriginal cultural heritage and Traditional Owner corporations.
• Demonstrated ability to critically analyse complex information and establish robust evidence bases to inform policy development and decision-making.
• Highly developed written communication skills, with the ability to prepare complex legal briefs, advice, determinations, correspondence and reports clearly and accurately.
• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, including the ability to identify emerging issues, risks, opportunities and their broader organisational and external implications.
• Demonstrated ability to establish clear objectives, prioritise competing demands and adapt plans and priorities to achieve organisational outcomes.

Mandatory requirements

Successful candidate must hold or be eligible to hold a current practising certificate as an Australian Legal Practitioner.

Specialist Skills

Litigation experience and extensive post-admission legal experience gained in an in-house legal department, law firm, regulator or government agency will be highly regarded.

This role is an ongoing position.

You must be an Australian citizen, as this role requires a security clearance.

For more information, please seethe 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 applicants will be required to undertake pre-employment screening. DPC actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DPC can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.