AddressDefence is seeking an exceptional Senior Executive to fill the Chief Counsel position in its Associate Secretary Group. As the Chief Counsel, you are the principal legal advisor to senior leaders within Defence. You are the accountable authority for the delivery of legal services in Defence and will manage the staff, budget and resources of the Defence Legal Division.
Defence Legal Division has a dynamic and collegiate team. It is an integrated national in-house legal service consisting of approximately 150 permanent ADF lawyers, 150 APS legal officers and enablers and 380 Reserve legal officers across Australia and overseas. Defence Legal has one of the most diverse legal practices in the Commonwealth, with expertise in a range of law from operations and international law, to commercial and administrative law, to complex litigation and legislative reform.
The Chief Counsel operates in a complex environment that includes both corporate and military legal matters and is required to minimise and manage legal risk across all areas of Defence. The role advises at high levels on the most highly contentious, complex and politically sensitive legal matters, often with the concurrent requirement to negotiate conflicting views. The decisions made by the Chief Counsel can have government-wide, national or international impacts.
The Chief Counsel oversees and leads engagement with both internal and external stakeholders at senior levels within the private and public sectors. The role is required to proactively develop stakeholder relations across the APS and with external legal providers.
The ideal candidate will be a collaborative leader, exemplify the Defence Values and Behaviours, and engender a culture of innovation and agility. They will be self-aware, positive in considering and respecting a diversity of ideas and perspectives of others. They will demonstrate the capability to provide timely and accurate advice to senior leaders and Government on complex matters. They will have outstanding judgement, strategic awareness, and parliamentary and media acumen.
