Manager, Legal Services & Deputy General Counsel
The Bureau is seeking a Manager, Legal Services & Deputy General Counsel to lead and manage the Bureau's Legal Services and FOI/Privacy functions, to drive improvement initiatives and to work on a diverse range of legal matters.
The Legal Services team is part of the Bureau's Organisational Resilience Program and occupies a position of trust within the Bureau. As a team, we're pragmatic, passionate and generous in sharing our knowledge and working together to get the best outcomes for the Bureau.
The team is responsible for providing legal advice and support to all areas of the Bureau on a broad range of legal issues, and managing the Bureau's obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). We're respected for our advice and authority as advisors to Group Executives, General Managers, and teams across the Bureau.
A critical requirement for the successful applicant will be the ability to work in a complex and changing setting with multiple stakeholders. Previous in-house and government experience is highly regarded but not essential.
Key Duties of the Position
The Manager Legal Services & Deputy General Counsel will be required to undertake work with a high level of complexity or sensitivity and operate under broad direction. The responsibilities of the role include but are not limited to:
- Lead a geographically diverse team of lawyers and advisors to effectively deliver high quality advice.
- As a senior leader in the Organisational Resilience Program, actively contribute to and drive the Organisational Resilience Program Plan, develop and implement the Legal Services Team Plan, monitor and report on performance.
- Exercise professional judgment to provide strategic advice on a broad range of complex and/or sensitive matters and manage legal risk, including commercial and contractual matters, administrative and government law, regulatory and employment matters and dispute resolution.
- Foster and manage key strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders, to support the objectives of the Bureau and the Commonwealth.
- Manage and build capability across the Bureau to ensure the Bureau meets its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth) and Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).
- Provide strategic direction to the Legal Services team, being accountable for managing budgets and staff.
- Foster a positive and supportive workplace culture and commit to mentoring and building capability in the team.
- Anticipate and establish priorities, and ensure the right allocation of resources and workloads and contribute to ongoing improvements in workflow and team structure to deliver outcomes.
- Maintain an Australian lawyer practising certificate, meet all legal professional development requirements, and ensure practice in a manner consistent with preserving legal professional privilege where appropriate.
- Comply with all Bureau work, health and safety policies and procedures, and taking reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of employees, contractors and visitors who may be affected by your conduct.
Eligibility
As a minimum requirement you must have:
- A law degree and be admitted to practice in any Australian jurisdiction.
- The capacity to hold and maintain an Australian lawyer practising certificate.
Getting to Know the Bureau of Meteorology
The Bureau of Meteorology is one of the few organisations that touches the lives of all Australians and all Australia, every day. The Bureau works across Australia and remote islands, providing services from the Antarctic to beyond the equator, and from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. We are Australia's national weather, climate and water agency, in the Agriculture, Water and Environment portfolio of the Australian Government, operating under the authority of the Meteorology Act 1955 and the Water Act 2007. We provide data, information, knowledge, insight and wisdom to help Australians prepare and respond to the realities of their natural environment, including droughts, floods, fires, storms, tsunami and tropical cyclones. Our products and services include observations, forecasts, analysis and advice covering Australia's atmosphere, water, oceans and space environments. We undertake focused scientific research in support of our operations and services. Through regular forecasts, warnings, monitoring and advice, we provide one of Australia's most fundamental and widely used public services. We have strong relationships with our customers, partners and stakeholders in Australia, including the Australian Community and the emergency services sectors, all-levels of Government, and focus sectors including aviation, agriculture, energy and resources, national security and water.
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