- Ongoing, Full-time
- Melbourne, VIC
Position Overview
The National Legal and Policy Officer plays a key role supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (CEO/PR).: The CEO/PR has the following statutory responsibilities:
- Assisting the Chief Justice of the FCA in the management of the business and administrative affairs of the Court. The Court currently has 62 judges and registries in seven locations nationally;
- The provision of "corporate services" as defined in the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) (FCA Act) to the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT;
- The accountable authority for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) for the Entity, and is responsible for the appropriations for the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT; and
- The Agency Head of the statutory agency for the purposes of the PSA Act which is comprised of the officers and staff who support the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT (including corporate services).
- $115,443 - $125,832 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation
- Ongoing, Full-time
- Melbourne, VIC
Position Overview
The National Legal and Policy Officer plays a key role supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar (CEO/PR).: The CEO/PR has the following statutory responsibilities:
- Assisting the Chief Justice of the FCA in the management of the business and administrative affairs of the Court. The Court currently has 62 judges and registries in seven locations nationally;
- The provision of "corporate services" as defined in the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976 (Cth) (FCA Act) to the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT;
- The accountable authority for the purposes of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 (Cth) for the Entity, and is responsible for the appropriations for the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT; and
- The Agency Head of the statutory agency for the purposes of the PSA Act which is comprised of the officers and staff who support the FCA, the FCFCOA and the NNTT (including corporate services).
The CEO/PR is supported by an FCA Executive Team in relation to the operation of the FCA and a Corporate Services and Court & Tribunal Services Executive Team in relation to the operation of the Entity.
The National Legal and Policy Officer provides critical support and assistance to the CEO/PR and the FCA and Entity executive teams. This includes providing high level legal and policy advice, conducting research to inform strategic priorities and reform initiatives across the Court and the Entity and preparing complex briefs and papers for internal and external meetings. The National Legal and Policy Officer will also conduct research into and develop policies and protocols across a broad range of issues relating to the administration of the Court and the Entity and liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
The role is multi-dimensional, requiring highly developed analytical, research and legal skills, the ability to prepare material within statutory and procedural frameworks, together with strong communication and interpersonal skills. The person appointed to this position will be someone who anticipates what needs to be done and shows great initiative; is highly motivated and organised, efficient and able to work to key timeframes.
Key Responsibilities and Duties
The key responsibilities of this multi-dimensional role include:
- Providing high level legal and policy support and advice to the CEO/PR and the FCA and Entity executive teams.
- Undertaking in-depth legal research and analysis to assist with developing policies and protocols across a broad range of issues relating to the operation and administration of the Court and the Entity. This includes undertaking research on topical and emerging issues affecting the operation of the Court and Entity and preparation of relevant briefing material for the CEO/PR and the executive teams.
- Undertaking in-depth research and analysis to inform the development and achievement of strategic priorities and reforms initiatives and preparation of relevant briefing material for the CEO/PR and the executive teams.
- Supporting various executive committees and working groups, including preparation of key issues papers.
- Preparing briefing material, including presentations, reports and meeting papers for the CEO/PR for key internal and external meetings, including executive meetings and Senate Estimates. This includes briefing material in relation to sensitive and confidential matters.
- Preparing complex correspondence, reports and submissions or information for internal stakeholders ( i.e. Judges, Registrars and staff) and external stakeholders. This will involve supporting the development and coordination of New Policy Proposals across the Court and the Entity, including coordinating submissions from all relevant areas and ensuring that responses meet timeframes.
- Preparing information for key strategic documents, including the Entity Corporate Plan.
- Consult, support and work with General Counsel and associated team, as required.
- Engaging with internal and external stakeholders, including judges; staff; Federal, State and Territory Government agencies; the legal profession, Court users and other external stakeholders, as required.
Key Relationships
Key relationships will include:
CEO/PR: consult, liaise with and provide legal and policy advice relation to the operation and administration of the FCA and Entity.
FCA Executive Team / Entity Executive Team: consult, liaise with and provide legal and policy advice relation to the operation and administration of the FCA and Entity.
Reporting Relationships
This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Registrar.
Mandatory Qualifications
Legal qualifications required.
Selection Criteria
- Well-developed legal research and analysis skills, including the ability to critically evaluate large volumes of information and research primary and secondary legal material and draft important papers, submissions and reports.
- Strong oral and written communication and liaison skills and the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated ability to set and manage competing priorities and exercise a significant degree of independence as well as having the ability to work as part of a team.
- Professional discretion, including tact and diplomacy, and the ability to deal appropriately with sensitive and confidential information.
- Excellent initiative and a proactive attitude, and proven ability to organise, multitask and deliver results to tight deadlines.
- A demonstrated understanding and commitment to the application of the Australian Public Service (APS) Values, to abide by the APS Code of Conduct and the ability to comply with the principles of Workplace Diversity and Occupational Health and Safety.
Eligibility
Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:
- Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
- Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
- Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.
Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.
Diversity and Inclusion
Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.
First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.
Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.
Contact Officer
For more information, please contact Andrea Jarratt, Director, Principal Registry and National Operations via telephone (03) 8638 6814 or email Andrea.Jarratt@fedcourt.gov.au.
How to apply
To apply, please complete the application form on the Court's careers portal.
As part of your application, you will be required to submit a written response to the selection criteria listed in the position description (maximum word limit 1500). Please ensure this document is attached before submitting your application
If you have any technical issues with applying, please email recruitment@fedcourt.gov.au
Application Close: Monday 5 May 2025 at 11:30 pm (AEST)
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
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