Add expected salary to your profile for insightsThe Inspector-General of Water Compliance (Inspector-General) is an independent statutory role and an identified integrity agency, supported by staff provided by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment & Water (the Department).Inspector-General’s vision: Water management and use within the Murray-Darling Basin is lawful, transparent, and accountable, and the Australian public is confident in the integrity of Basin Plan delivery.Inspector-General’s purpose: The Inspector-General ensures various government bodies, water managers and users in the Murray-Darling Basin (the Basin) comply with their obligations under the Water Act 2007 (Cth) (Water Act) and the Basin Plan 2012 (Cth) (Basin Plan) and drives governments and water managers to uphold high standards of integrity and performance.The Inspector-General’s role includes oversighting the performance of government agencies in the management of Basin water resources, as well as ensuring compliance with various commitments under legislation. The Inspector-General currently has offices located in Albury, Mildura, Dubbo, Goondiwindi, Canberra, Brisbane, Sydney, and Adelaide, and Melbourne.The Legal Services Branch is a new standalone Legal Branch within the Department, situated in the Office of Water Compliance (OWC). It provides advice direct to the Inspector-General. It operates in a fast paced, exciting, and complex legal environment. The Branch has a focus on learning and development and ensuring staff are supported, so that they are in the best position to take on and enjoy the challenges of this unique work. The OWC provides competitive conditions and remuneration, providing opportunities for lawyers to either specialise or diversify their skills, while learning from, and being supported by, highly skilled senior Commonwealth lawyers.Work across the Legal Services Branch includes:Providing legal advice on a broad range of issues including statutory interpretation and administrative law, regulatory actions, inquiries and investigations,Working closely with the Australian Government Solicitor on tied Constitutional law issues regarding the Inspector-General’s unique jurisdiction,Managing litigation across a broad range of matters including judicial review and regulatory enforcement, in a range of jurisdictions,Developing legal risk and mitigation strategies, particularly in areas of novel or complex work,Developing legal guidance resources and delivering training to the OWC,Assisting with Freedom of Information requests and providing privacy advice.The jobA Deputy General Counsel holds a leadership role in the newly created Legal Services Branch. They display honesty and integrity by adhering to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and consistently behaving in an honest, ethical and professional way. A Deputy General Counsel helps to drive the vision and direction of the Office. They assist the General Counsel with the running of the Legal Services Branch including by providing day to day staff management, across a range of legal areas. As a senior member of the Legal Services Branch you will be involved in unique and important legal work undertaken by the Inspector-General.The Inspector-General is a statutory office holder with oversight, monitoring, regulatory functions and powers, established under the Water Act. You will support the Inspector-General in performing their statutory role to, among other things:Deliver trust and transparency around the management of Murray-Darling Basin water resources, andEnsure the highest standard of accountability for all involved in the use and management of Basin resources, including state and Commonwealth agencies.The legal work performed by a team under the direction of a Deputy General Counsel delivers a range of legal services. These could include supporting the Inspector-General’s compliance, oversight and regulatory activities, interpretation of the Water Act, legal input into legislative and policy reform projects and drafting legal documents. The team also engages with external legal providers in relation to litigation matters and requests for specialised legal assistance.Key AccountabilitiesA Deputy General Counsel will undertake a range of diverse duties:Assist the General Counsel with building a new legal practice.Work with legal colleagues to support the General Counsel in providing leadership, training, management, mentoring and support to staff in the Legal Services Branch, including second counselling of advice from junior lawyers.Provide strategic legal advice on a broad range of complex and sensitive legal matters including in relation to the performance of the Inspector-General’s statutory functions.Provide legal services to assist the Inspector-General in the performance of their statutory functions, including regulatory functions and special powers.Manage the procurement of legal services from external legal providers, in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 and other requirements.Proactively identify and manage relevant legal risks within the OWC’s risk framework and Legal Services reporting structures.Provide strategic advice and assistance with the OWC’s compliance and reporting obligations (including under the Legal Services Directions 2017).High-level engagement and representation with internal clients and external stakeholders, including external legal providers in relation to litigation matters and requests for specialised legal assistance on constitutional law issues.Deliver legal training, as required, to promote awareness of legal risks and improve the quality of administrative law decision making.Assist the General Counsel with building a new legal practice.Undertake additional responsibilities as required.What you’ll gain from the experienceBy joining the Inspector-General of Water Compliance, you’ll gain hands-on experience in government oversight, monitoring, and regulation, while enhancing your project management skills. You will have a chance to work on projects that make a real impact on Australians. We offer a supportive environment that fosters professional growth, helping you develop valuable transferable skills like communication, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement. As part of a close-knit team within the Australian Public Service, you’ll not only contribute to shaping water management in the Murray Darling Basin but also build your own professional capabilities through ongoing learning and development opportunities.How do your skills match this job?How do your skills match this job?Sign in and update your profile to get insights.To help fast track investigation, please include here any other relevant details that prompted you to report this job ad as fraudulent / misleading / discriminatory.Featured jobsReception-Mildura Working Man's Club5d agoTrainee Payroll and Administration OfficerElite Netting PTY LTD7d ago
#J-18808-Ljbffr