Future focused
APS 6 LEGAL
OFFICER
Reference:
DVAO1321
Position Number:
Various
Job Title:
Legal Officer
APS Level:
APS6
Division:
Chief Operating Officer
Branch:
Legal Services and Audit
Section:
Various
Location:
ACT; NSW; VIC; QLD
No. of staff directly
Various
supervised:
Immediate Supervisor:
EL2
Note that the department’s Enterprise Agreement sets outs the terms and conditions of
employment within DVA, including remuneration, relocation and other aspects of working in
DVA
Contact Officer Details:
For any job related information required after reading the selection documentation, please
contact Nicole Ingram, General Counsel on (02) 6289 6003.
Where to lodge Applications:
To apply go to
https://dvajobs.nga.net.au/cp/index.cfm?event=jobs.home and complete the
on-line application by 11.30pm 8 July 2021
For more information:
Cont
act xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xx
APS6 Legal Officer
CONTEXT STATEMENT
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to meet the Nation’s commitment to care
for our veteran and defence service community—the men and women who have served
Australia in times of war and conflict as well as peacetime. We do this through programs of
care, compensation, commemoration, income support and Defence support services. Our
aim is to ensure enhanced self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community
recognition for those we support.
DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency with an annual budget in excess of $12
billion. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, the
Department of Defence, the international veteran community and international veterans’
administrations.
DVA’s vision is to be a responsive and flexible organisation, efficiently delivering high
quality, connected services to all generations of veterans and the wider veteran community.
DVA’s cultural vision, underpinned by the APS Values of ICARE, are:
We know our clients,
We are future focused,
We walk the talk,
We are connected and we work together, and
We are capable and empowered to deliver
2 | P a g e
APS6 Legal Officer
The Legal Services & Audit Branch is a specialist in-house practice that supports lawful
implementation of the Department’s objectives by advising on the management of legal risk
as well as providing legal advice, litigation and dispute resolution services, legal training and
legislation services.
As a result of a number of new government measures and the upcoming Royal Commission
into Defence and Veteran Suicide, the branch will grow with a number of positions to be
filled.
We are looking for candidates with relevant experience, flexible thinking and a consistent
and reliable work ethic. You need to have strong and efficient administration, liaison and
communications skills and the ability to manage conflicting demands to meet deadlines.
You will have the opportunity to work in one of these areas of law:
Commercial and Corporate Law
Corporate advice, which involves PGPA Act compliance, including reviewing and
updating Accountable Authority Instructions (AAIs), Finance Business Rules (FBRs)
and various policies and procedures;
Commercial advice, including drafting and advising on contracts, deeds, licences,
Intellectual Property issues, procurement and probity, negotiations and commercial
/ risk advice;
Commercial litigation, including advising on contractual disputes, common law
disputes and actions (e.g. defamation and negligence) and management of DVA’s
debt recovery litigation in various courts across Australia;
Property, which involves advising DVA on preparing leases, licenses and purchases
and disposals of land in its property portfolio and also advising on and lodging
caveats as part of the pension loans scheme;
Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety (WRES), which includes providing
advice on DVA’s WHS obligations (e.g. as part of the pandemic response), HR matters
(e.g. termination of employees / contractors), reviewing DVA’s enterprise agreement
and instruments, advising on redundancies and disciplinary matters and managing
DVA’s litigation in the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and the Fair
Work Commission (FWC) and Federal Court to do with workplace disputes;
Statutory Interpretation
Provision of timely advice on complex legal matters under the Department’s primary
pieces of legislation and related instruments.
Work closely with the policy areas of the Department to support appropriate
decision making.
Legislation and Instruments
Manage the Minister’s legislation program before the parliament
Prepare drafting instructions and related documentation for all legislative proposals.
Provide advice on matters relating to the legislative process.
Drafting of the Department’s legal instruments and determinations.
3 | P a g e
APS6 Legal Officer
Litigation and Discretionary Claims
Manage appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) of decisions under the
Department’s primary legislation. This may involve appearing in AAT and/or
instructing external lawyers.
Managing Federal Court litigation, where there has been an appeal to the Federal
Court from a decision of the AAT or where there has been judicial review under the
Administrative Decisions (Judicial Review) Act 1977 or under the section 39B of the
Judiciary Act 1903.
Management and investigation of Discretionary Claims made against the
Department. This includes the investigation and provision of recommendations to
the decision maker for claims made under the Scheme for Compensation for
Detriment caused by Defective Administration (CDDA Scheme) and the provision of
input to the Department of Finance in respect of Act of Grace requests.
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Taskforce
Legal advisors will be embedded in the Department’s Taskforce for responding to the
upcoming Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
The legal team working in the Taskforce will:
o coordinate with other government and external legal teams,
o monitor Royal Commission proceedings to anticipate the Department’s
responsibilities for producing information, and
o work closely with all areas of the Department, and assist with document
identification processes, document review and witness evidence in a
fast-paced environment.
4 | P a g e
APS6 Legal Officer
DUTY STATEMENT
Position Number:
Various
Job Title:
Legal Officer
APS Level:
APS6
Division:
Chief Operating Officer
Branch
Legal Services and Audit
Section:
Various
Location:
ACT; NSW; VIC; QLD
Immediate Supervisor:
Director (EL2)
DUTIES
In accordance with the principles of workplace diversity, Work Health and Safety,
participative work practices, APS values and APS Employment Principles:
Core Duties for all levels
Deliver high quality legal services that meet client expectations (including financial),
business and legal risk, compliance requirements and professional standards.
Develop and maintain client relationships with business areas and promote the Legal
Services and Audit branch as the Department’s trusted advisor.
Supervise (as required) and/or support other section members including contributing
to the setting of the direction of work priorities and practices and monitoring work
flow for legal support staff as required.
Further professional legal expertise, through participation in development, training
and study opportunities, and meet Continuing Legal Education requirements and
other expectations.
Be responsible for the delivery of moderately complex legal services under general
supervision of a more senior lawyer; have “day to day” responsibility for legal
matters that are moderately complex in nature and work with more senior
practitioners on more complex matters.
Have a strong understanding of relevant areas of law; the scope of legal work can
include litigation, commercial, advising, privacy and legislation.
Exercise both initiative and judgment in the interpretation of policy and in the
application of practices and procedures. Provide detailed technical and professional
advice in relation to moderately complex problems. Assist in strategic planning,
program and project management.
Relevant experience working in connection with a Royal Commission, or with large scale
document discovery processes, is considered highly advantageous for roles with the Royal
Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide Taskforce.
5 | P a g e
APS6 Legal Officer
SELECTION CRITERIA
Your application will be assessed against the relevant APS level within the Integrated
Leadership System (ILS)
You will be assessed on your ability to perform the core duties outlined previously, to be
successful you are expected to have:
Sound decision-making and judgement to produce high-level legal advice across
different areas of the department’s operations, which may include corporate
management or service delivery.
Demonstrate initiative and have sound verbal and interpersonal communication and
customer service skills, including the ability to provide appropriate advice and high
quality customer service.
Proactively and effectively manage your own time and a large caseload in the
context of competing priorities.
Apply accuracy and attention to detail.
STATEMENT OF CLAIMS
Candidates apply by submitting a 1000 word statement of claims, also known as a ‘one page
pitch’.
Candidate’s statement of claims outline their skills, knowledge and experience and why they
should be considered for the role taking into consideration the duties and selection criteria
(ILS).
Mandatory
Must have at least a Bachelor of Laws degree (or equivalent) from a recognised Australian
tertiary education provider.
Admission as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of a State or
Territory of Australia and must possess, or be eligible to obtain a practising certificate.
6 | P a g e
