Senior Legal Counsel

Victorian Government - Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing; Victoria; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Victorian Government - Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing seeks a Senior Legal Counsel to provide high-quality legal advice and manage litigation for the Social Services Regulator under Vic legislation. The role emphasizes collaboration with SSR teams, internal stakeholders and model litigant obligations.

Key duties include strategic, risk-based legal guidance on social service regulation, handling complaints, investigations and prosecutions, and coordinating external counsel as

Qualifications

• Relevant VPS (Victorian Public Sector) experience.
• Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or valid work permit required.

Responsibilities

• Support the SSR Legal team in delivering high-quality and cost-effective legal services on highly complex matters.
• Provide strategic, risk-based legal advice on social service regulation, including complaints, investigations, prosecutions and governance matters.
• Support litigated matters, including day-to-day carriage, engagement of counsel, and advising on prospects within model litigant obligations.

Job description

THE ROLEThe Senior Legal Counsel provides high-quality legal advice and management of litigation in relation to the regulatory and operational requirements for the Social Services Regulator (SSR) arising under the Worker Screening Act 2020 (Vic), the Social Services Regulation Act 2021 (Vic) and the Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic).The Senior Legal Counsel is a trusted legal advisor within the Legal and Internal Review team and will work as part of the SSR Legal team across SSR's operational areas including on complex matters arising under the various legislative frameworks. This includes, but not limited to, advice and management of litigation involving Working with Children Checks as well as regulation of the Social Service Standards, the Reportable Conduct Scheme and the Worker and Carer Exclusion Scheme. IThis means the work will be interesting and varied and have a strong focus on collaboration, teamwork, building relationships with internal and external stakeholders and organisational improvement.ACCOUNTABILITIES INCLUDESupport the SSR Legal team in the delivery of high quality, stakeholder focused and cost-effective legal services in relation to highly complex and sensitive matters. This includes the management of matters in courts or tribunals particularly in relation to the Working with Children Check scheme.Provide strategic, risk-based legal advice on social service regulation and laws, and legal issues related to the Regulator's functions, including complaints, notifications, investigations, prosecutions and a broad range of administrative law, legislative interpretation and corporate governance matters that relate to the operation of the Regulator.Support and advise the SSR on litigated matters, including day to day carriage of matters, engaging counsel or external legal support (where appropriate) and providing advice on prospects as well as ensuring the SSR complies with its obligations as a model litigant.For more details, please refer to the attached position description.HOW TO APPLYApplicants are encouraged to apply online. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.Applicants are required to submit a CV and Cover Letter (max 2 pages) outlining their suitability to the role in line with the Key Accountabilities listed in the position description.Applicants must have relevant VPS experience, be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process.Preferred candidates will be required to complete pre-employment screening, including a national police check and misconduct screening.For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please contact SSR HR at [e-mail] apply to submit your interest in this position.