The opportunity we have available
The Commercial Law team, which is part of the Legal and Integrity Division, is seeking an experienced EL1 lawyer with 4+ years post qualification experience to join our dynamic growing legal team and talented commercial lawyers. With strong technical legal abilities and commercial acumen, our ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills and an enquiring mindset to enable and deliver the commercial aspects of the division’s legal services.
The successful candidate will report to a Principal Lawyer (EL2) and collaborate with other lawyers within the team to deliver key outcomes and be part of a high performing legal team managing a diverse portfolio of matters that are crucial to the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation. This is an opportunity to advance your career and/or gain experience working in the Australian Public Service, working with high profile stakeholders.
The Commercial Law team provides a broad range of legal services to the department (including to support the delivery of major projects such as Western Sydney Airport, Moorebank Intermodal Freight Terminal and WestConnex).
Particular areas of focus for the team, include:
* Major infrastructure projects, including air, road and rail;
* Regional development initiatives;
* Support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories;
* Communications services;
* Broader corporate and procurement services for the department; and
* Surface transport matters, including aviation, maritime and road transport.
What will you do?
Under the general direction of a Principal Lawyer, you will be responsible for:
* carriage of, and providing strategic and high quality legal advice on, grants, procurements and other commercial law matters to enable the department to assess legal risks and make sound decisions;
* drafting, reviewing and negotiating key transaction documents and contracts;
* developing and maintaining the department’s commercial law templates and precedents;
* partnering with internal and external stakeholders to inform, design and deliver effective and efficient legal solutions that meet the department’s requirements;
* peer reviewing and second counselling colleagues legal work and mentoring and guiding more junior members of the Commercial Law team;
* overseeing the efficient and value for money delivery of external legal service providers in accordance with the Legal Services Directions and other Commonwealth requirements;
* contributing to organisational level continuous improvement and skills/capacity building initiatives, including by delivering internal training to the department on commercial law related issues from time to time; and
* actively contributing to the division’s positive work environment and culture.
Who are we looking for?
Essential
Our ideal candidate must:
* have the interpersonal skills and the ability to develop strong working relationships with clients, colleagues and stakeholders (of all levels) (be flexible, resilient and a strong team player with a positive and collaborative working style);
* be able to work independently and with a geographically dispersed team, and be able to triage, manage and prioritise workflow;
* have excellent technical legal skills, including:
* 4+ years post qualification legal practice experience gained in a law firm, in-house environment or in government advising on, drafting, reviewing and/or negotiating a range of complex commercial arrangements;
* appreciate (or have the ability to quickly acquire an appreciation of) the policy and legislative frameworks governing the Commonwealth’s commercial arrangements; and
* the ability to provide timely, strategic and high quality legal advice that enables the department to assess risk and make sound decisions;
* demonstrate initiative and be able to drive and own client-focused outcomes, proactively manage legal matters and possess strong problem solving and influencing skills – be able to clearly and persuasively communicate complex legal concepts in plain English both verbally and in writing; and
* strive to continuously improve and develop (including by responding to constructive feedback);
* have integrity and be committed to practising in accordance with the Statement of Expectations for Government Lawyers; and
* be able to meet the work level standards expected of an EL1 level lawyer (available at: Work level standards: APS Level and Executive Level classifications | Australian Public Service Commission (https://apsc.gov.au)).
Favourable
While not essential, our ideal candidate may also have some experience in:
* resolving disputes, including using alternate dispute resolution, and in the development and implementation of strategies to resolve disputes; and/or
* intellectual property and ICT expertise/experience.
We are also flexible in terms of allowing home-based work subject to operational needs and upon discussion with the Principal Lawyer.
Eligibility requirements
Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:
* Citizenship: candidates must be an Australian citizen at the time of submitting your application.
* Health Assessment: The preferred candidate may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
* Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at Baseline level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
* Police check: The successful candidate must satisfactory complete an Australian Federal Police criminal history check.
* Integrity and Performance check: The successful candidate must satisfy the requirements in an Integrity and Performance check which is completed by your most recent employer.
* Admission as a legal practitioner: however described, of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and hold, or be eligible to obtain, a practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.