General Counsel, Legal Advice and Legislation, heads up the Legal Advice and Legislation Branch within the Legal and Audit Division. The Legal and Audit Division is a specialist in-house legal practice that supports lawful implementation of the Department’s objectives through the provision of a range of diverse legal services.The General Counsel, Legal Advice and Legislation Branch is responsible for leading a geographically-dispersed Branch to provide high quality legal advice and legislation services to the Department, Minister’s Office and Minister, as required.This is a significant leadership role within the Legal and Audit Division, with the ideal candidate having a strong background in managing and leading multi-disciplinary legal teams to drive the provision of in-house legal services, as well as managing the services of external legal service providers.The role requires a background in administrative law. Familiarity with DVA portfolio legislation is desirable. A demonstrated background in providing legal services within or to the Commonwealth is key, including sound understanding and experience of the requirements of the Legal Services Directions 2017.Duties
drive the provision of timely and strategic legal services to support the Department to achieve its broader objectives;
communicate complex legal advice in a clear and digestible way to client areas and senior executives within the Department;
provide strategic direction to the Branch, Division, and Department on significant legal issues;
engage with highly technical legal issues to ensure consistent advice is being provided to the Department and issues are connected at a Branch and Divisional level;
brief the Senior Executive on complex legal issues which have broader strategic, political and operational significance; and
develop relationships with key client areas and Commonwealth legal practices across the APS.
Eligibility
Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
NotesThis recruitment process is being used to fill non-ongoing position/s.Where a non-ongoing position is offered, the role will be filled for an initial specified term of up to 12 months.A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: .
