Legal Counsel And Systemic Issues Manager

Legal Counsel and Systemic Issues Manager 

Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) 

Hybrid, Melbourne VIC 

Full time or Part time 

Remuneration commensurate with experience 

• Are you an experienced legal practitioner with a passion for fairness?  
• Do you enjoy working for a purpose-driven organisation in a rapidly evolving sector?   
• Are you ready to apply your legal experience in a diverse role where you can influence meaningful change? 

If the answer is yes – then WE NEED YOU! 

We are looking for people with strong legal experience in dispute resolution to join our extraordinary and close-knit team.  

Who we are 

The Energy and Water Ombudsman (Victoria) (EWOV) is a not-for-profit, independent and impartial dispute resolution service. We provide Victorian energy and water consumers with free, accessible, and informal dispute resolution. Find out more about who we are and what we do here.  

Your new role and team 

The Legal and Risk team is responsible for providing legal advice across the organisation. We’re a high functioning multi-disciplinary team that assists in complex complaints, identifies and investigates Systemic Issues, drive market improvements, makes policy submissions and seeks to influence consumer protection mechanisms in the energy and water sectors.  

 As a sector that is high on the political agenda and rapidly evolving, we’re a team that’s heavy on internal and external stakeholder engagement, including with EWOV’s members, industry bodies, regulators and state and federal government.  

As an EWOV Legal Counsel and Systemic Issues Manager, you will use your legal expertise to lead and advising on EWOV’s systemic issue investigations as well as providing Legal Counsel to EWOV. The Systemic issues component of the role involves investigating and advising on potential Systemic Issues, engaging with Scheme Participants to resolve Systemic Issues, and providing insights or referrals to relevant stakeholders to drive consumer and market improvements.  

The Legal Counsel component provides best practice legal and dispute resolution advice, particularly where complex contractual, legislation or code interpretation is required. It also contributes to the design and delivery of high-quality internal dispute resolution practices through preparation of policies, procedures, position statements and expert advice. 

This position offers full-time hours, with potential consideration for part-time arrangement for the right candidate.  

Jump over to our website: https://www.ewov.com.au/about-us/careers to learn more and see the position description. 

What you’ll bring  

To help you succeed in this role you’ll need to bring: 

• Experience in dispute resolution, including an excellent understanding of the key principles of alternative dispute resolution and a sound working understanding of independence.  
• High level communication skills (oral and written), with the proven ability to negotiate and influence stakeholders. 
• Sound knowledge of the Victorian energy and water sector, including detailed knowledge of the regulatory/legislative framework or ability to acquire this knowledge quickly.  
• Highly developed analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving skills.  
• Strong stakeholder management skills and the ability to quickly develop professional relationships .  
• Ability to work at a senior level, including working autonomously and meeting and prioritising deadlines.  
• Ability to work as part of a close knit and professional team in a way that supports and promotes EWOV’s Cultural Values and supports the achievement of organisational objectives.  
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in law (including eligibility for a practising certificate). 

What makes working with us great 

There are so many great things about working with EWOV, here’s some of our benefits: 

• a role where you can make a difference helping others 
• an opportunity to be a part of a dynamic industry and the renewable energy transition     
• flexible and hybrid ways of working with life-friendly hours 
• generous leave entitlements - six weeks annual leave, birthday leave, anniversary leave, end-of-year closure leave, community giving leave & 18 weeks of gender-free paid parental leave 
• centrally located office in Melbourne CBD close to public transport 
• inclusive team culture that supports each other, collaborates and innovates 
• we live and breathe wellbeing with a varied program with something for everyone. 
• hear from our staff about what makes working at EWOV great here. 

How to apply 

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please email us at ***************@ewov.com.au by 6 June 2024 Please send through your CV and a cover letter outlining how you meet the selection criteria. 

We will be reviewing applications and may commence interviews prior to the closing date, so please apply as soon as possible if you’d like to be considered. 

If you would like additional support or information to make the application and recruitment process more suited to your needs, please let us know at ***************@ewov.com.au.  

Employer questions 

Your application will include the following questions: 

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Australia?  
• Are you eligible to hold a practising certificate?