Remuneration, hours and employment
* Remuneration: Base salary component: $170,000.00; Superannuation: $20,400.00
* Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 8:15 am to 4:21 pm (38 hours per week)
* Employment Type: Full-time ongoing position (subject to funding)
* Superannuation: 12%
* Leave Entitlement: 6 weeks per annum plus 17.5% leave loading
* Reports To: Chief Executive Officer
* Special Measures:
* Information for Applicants: Additional staff benefits: Employee Assistance Program with supportive, confidential counselling for personal and work concerns; ongoing training and development opportunities; Time off in Lieu of Overtime; Travel Allowance; Individual training budget of $1,000 annually; Full-time staff receive one day of wellbeing leave per month; Paid parental leave after one year of service; Study Leave; Defence Leave
* Additional Information: Mandatory employment requirements: Possess an unrestricted NT Practising Certificate; Obtain a working with children clearance (WWCC); Obtain a clear Criminal History Check; Possess a current ‘C’ Class NT Drivers Licence
ABOUT NAAFLS
NAAFLS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and independent Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS).
We are the only victim-based Aboriginal legal service in remote communities in the Top End region of the NT.
We have offices in Darwin (Larrakia land), Katherine (Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman land) and Nhulunbuy (Yolŋu land), and service over 40 remote communities within the Top End region spanning from the Tiwi Islands down to Lajamanu, Wadeye across to Borroloola. We provide culturally sensitive legal advice, assistance, representation, and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Top End communities who have experienced domestic, family, and sexual violence.
We offer the unique opportunity to work collaboratively alongside client support officers and case workers, which are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified roles, to ensure that our service is culturally safe and holistic.
This holistic and culturally appropriate model of service sets us apart, seeking practical community-based solutions to the most complex legal problems.
Our primary practice areas are family law, child protection, and domestic violence; though we frequently intervene in coronial inquiries, parliamentary inquiries, and other administrative or criminal proceedings as required.
PURPOSE
The Principal Legal Officer (PLO) is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic leadership, governance, and operational management of NAAFLS’ legal practice across all offices. The PLO ensures delivery of culturally safe, high-quality legal services, effective supervision and professional development of legal staff, and compliance with all legal, funding, and organisational requirements. The PLO works collaboratively with the CEO, Executive Leadership Team, and program managers to drive integrated service delivery, oversee risk management, contribute to organisational strategy, and lead governance, policy, and law reform initiatives across the organisation.
* Provide strategic leadership and direction for the legal practice across Darwin, Katherine, and Nhulunbuy.
* Manage the legal practice of NAAFLS in accordance with professional standards, funding agreements, risk management frameworks, and organisational values.
* Lead the development, implementation, and evaluation of legal practice policies, procedures and quality assurance systems.
* Ensure compliance with Professional Indemnity Insurance obligations and legal regulatory requirements.
* Work closely with other Leadership Team members, including the CEO, managers, and program leads, to ensure integrated service delivery and alignment of legal, support, and organisational priorities.
2. Staff Supervision & Development
* Supervise, mentor, and develop Darwin legal staff, including performance and probation reviews.
* Support and collaborate with area managing solicitors in the supervision and development of legal staff across other offices and establish formal supervision and coaching systems (scheduled file reviews, competency assessments, documented guidance) for all legal staff.
* Identify professional development needs and opportunities to upskill the legal team and support Continuing Professional Development (CPD) compliance.
* Develop and formalise processes to support staff wellbeing and manage vicarious trauma, in collaboration with therapeutic practice staff.
3. Cultural Safety & Service Delivery
* Ensure NAAFLS delivers culturally safe, appropriate, and holistic legal services consistent with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural governance frameworks.
* Work collaboratively with client support officers and case workers in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified roles.
* Lead community engagement and feedback processes that support culturally respectful service improvement.
4. Governance, Compliance & Risk Management
* Oversee risk management, including the development, monitoring and reporting of risk mitigation strategies for the legal practice.
* Provide structured reporting on legal practice matters to the Board of Directors and the CEO.
* Educate and support the CEO and Executive Team on legal risks, continuity planning, and delegation protocols.
* Ensure operational continuity plans are in place for periods of absence.
5. Strategic Planning & Organisational Contribution
* Actively contribute to the Executive Leadership Team and organisational strategic planning.
* Support the CEO in implementing the organisational Strategic Plan, annual operational plans, and associated legal practice objectives.
* Contribute to submissions, funding proposals, and policy positions.
6. Stakeholder Engagement & Representation
* Build and maintain effective partnerships with sector stakeholders, government agencies, community organisations, and legal networks.
* Represent NAAFLS at conferences, public forums, policy forums, and law reform processes.
* Promote the organisation’s legal practice with professionalism and cultural competence.
7. Operational Duties
* Undertake remote travel as required (including overnight stays).
* Prepare and deliver presentations at external events and internal meetings.
* Uphold privacy, confidentiality, and work health and safety policies.
* Undertake other duties as reasonably directed.
SELECTION CRITERIA
1. Eligibility for an Unrestricted Practising Certificate as a Barrister or Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.
2. Minimum 5 years post-admission experience, including demonstrated capacity to prepare and conduct defended matters as Counsel in Family Law, Child Protection, and Domestic Violence matters.
3. Demonstrated leadership and people management skills, including leading, supervising, and developing a multi-site legal team.
4. Outstanding communication skills, with the ability to build strong internal working relationships and effectively communicate with stakeholders and clients, including people for whom English is not a first language.
5. Demonstrated ability to work respectfully, sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, families, communities, and staff, including understanding trauma-informed practice and cultural safety.
6. Demonstrated capacity to provide accessible and culturally appropriate legal advice and representation on complex legal issues.
7. Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate legal and organisational governance, policy, and law reform initiatives across multiple offices and communities, with strategic oversight and risk management responsibility.
8. High attention to detail, proficiency with electronic records management systems, and a range of computer programs.
9. Willingness and capacity to travel by road or light aircraft to remote Aboriginal communities.
10. Ability to obtain and maintain a Working with Children Clearance (WWCC), clear Criminal History Check, and possession of a current ‘C’ Class NT Driver’s Licence.
11. Experience in community service or Aboriginal community-controlled organisations, particularly in legal or integrated service delivery.
12. Experience in advocacy, policy development, and law reform relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
13. Experience preparing funding submissions, managing compliance, and reporting under externally funded programs.
14. Experience mentoring and developing staff across multiple offices and disciplines, including non-legal staff.
15. Familiarity with culturally safe service delivery models in remote or regional Aboriginal communities.
16. Experience in strategic planning, risk management, and organisational governance in a legal or community services setting.
While NAAFLS is an equal opportunity employer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.
PLO – PD Jan 2026
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