AddressThe Opportunity:
In the role of Senior Legal Officer you will work with ORIC’s General Counsel in providing legal advice and related services to the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations and ORIC’s business units.
Your day will entail variety - working with some of the largest and most impactful Indigenous Corporations, small start-up corporations, and those requiring assistance to realise their aspirations.
This role is for those that can see the value their role plays in strong and successful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporations that are making positive impacts for Indigenous Australians. You will advise on regulatory processes and manage litigation, including briefing external legal service providers for this purpose.
You will be involved in developing policy and procedural documentation that supports ORIC’s work. You will be required to present training to staff on legal subjects relevant to ORIC’s work and will be responsible for managing ORIC’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 1988.
The ideal candidate will be responsible for advising on:
- matters relating to the CATSI Act and corporations law generally
- administrative law matters arising out of decisions under the CATSI Act requiring familiarity with Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 and Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975
- matters relating to Native Title Act 1993 and the Native Title Legislation Amendment Act 2021 and their interaction with the CATSI Act
- ORIC’s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and Privacy Act 1988, and other information law obligations
- general corporate legal matters arising within ORIC from time-to-time.
The role will also be responsible for:
- engaging and briefing external legal service providers on matters in the above areas of law
- reviewing and developing policy and procedural documentation that supports ORIC’s work
- developing and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders to provide support and guidance in CATSI-related matters
- presenting capacity support to staff on legal subjects relevant to ORIC’s work.
Our Ideal Candidate
Our ideal Senior Legal Officer candidate will possess:
- strong technical legal and analytical skills
- strong drafting skills, particularly with respect to compliance process including but not limited to statutory notices and court documents
- experience in a busy legal practice, managing multiple clients and competing priorities
- excellent communication and collaboration skills
- the ability to provide practical, clear and concise high quality written advice that identifies risks, and shows awareness of government policy and ORIC operational and legal frameworks, in a timely manner
- experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations and a willingness and commitment to continue to develop cultural competency
- an ability to build and maintain professional relationships including with senior clients and external stakeholders.
Having experience in native title, dispute resolution and regulation would be advantageous.
Three years post-admission experience (PAE) and previous experience advising on the areas of law listed above are desirable.
What We Offer:
- We have exciting work with real purpose. We support the aspirations of First Nations Peoples—it’s our driving force. Our work is transformational, you can follow your passion, shape your career and make a difference.
- We value our employees —they’re the heart of our Agency. Employees are supported and empowered to build their career. We are a diverse, inclusive and passionate workforce with an emphasis on continuous cultural learning and tailored professional development.
- Our work relies on strong and trusted relationships — we build partnerships by being authentic, sharing information and giving honest feedback. We collaborate with communities across Australia, all levels of government and many other invested stakeholders.
Eligibility:
- To be eligible for this position you must be an Australian Citizen.
- The occupant must be able to obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (Protected) level security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
- The successful candidate will be required to be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check
How to apply:
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you! Submit an online application through the NIAA Careers Page by 11:30pm AEST Sunday 9 June 2024.
