Job description
Agency Department of Children and Families Work unit Legal Services
Job title Manager, Legal Designation Senior Administrative Officer 1
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $132,408 - $147,919 Location Darwin
Position number 50747 RTF Closing 03/03/2026
Contact officer Michelle Ganzer on or
About the agency Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the
OCPE website.
Primary objective
The Manager Legal Services leads the provision of high-level advice and oversight on matters relating to Department of Children and
Families that are legal in nature. This includes legal case management; Inquiries, Commissions and Coronials; delegations and other
statutory issues.
Context statement
The Legal Services Unit sits within the Strategy and Commissioning and ensures the Department of Children and Families is effectively
and efficiently fulfilling its obligations under relevant legislation, while improving Chief Executive oversight and access to legal support,
in consultation with the Solicitor for the Northern Territory and other external legal service providers. The unit provides shared legal
support to the Department of People, Sport and Culture.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Oversee shared legal services to the Department of People, Sport and Culture.
2. Provide high quality advice and correspondence in relation to legal matters, consulting the Solicitor for the Northern Territory where
appropriate.
3. Identify emerging issues and initiate appropriate actions.
4. Lead the Agency coordination of Coronial Inquests.
5. Maintain the delegations and authorisations pursuant to the Care and Protection of Children Act, the Youth Justice Act and the
Adoptions Act.
6. Maintain a high level of knowledge of relevant areas of the law and of relevant practices and procedures.
7. Lead and manage a small team in the successful achievement of required outcomes by providing accurate direction, project
oversight, constructive feedback and the timely management of performance issues.
8. Assist with the management of the provision of Agency and confidential client information for requests made under court orders
and warrants.
9. Participate in policy coordination and assist in the development of local and national policy initiatives.
10. Establish and maintain effective collaborative partnerships and alliances with key internal and external stakeholders at all levels,
including executive management, cross-government colleagues, non-government organisations and relevant national bodies.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Relevant qualifications in law or legal studies.
2. High level oral and written communication skills including consultation, liaison and negotiation skills with a diverse range of staff,
clients and stakeholders from varied cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.
3. Experience in the coordination of coronial inquests.
4. Demonstrated conceptual, analytical and problem-solving skills.
5. Ability to lead and provide advice to staff on professional and operational matters and delegate appropriate work.
6. Ability to understand, analyse, develop and interpret policies, legislation and business plans.
7. Proven ability to manage a high workload with constantly changing priorities, work independently under limited direction, and
coordinate a range of tasks and staff to meet critical short and long-term deadlines.
Further information
The recommended applicant will be required to hold a current Working with Children Clearance notice and undergo a criminal history
check (a criminal history will not exclude an applicant from this position unless it is a relevant criminal history).