National Manager General Counsel (SES Band 1)

Job Description

The opportunity The General Counsel plays a vital role as a senior executive at AFSA, reporting directly to the Chief Executive. They oversee and are responsible for legal issues and support managing legal risk arising in the agency. The General Counsel ensures AFSA achieves its outcome and fulfils its obligations under legislation. The General Counsel provides strategic leadership, high level decision making and leads their Division’s operations to ensure best practice in delivery of legal services including litigation and dispute management. A critical role for the General Counsel is to strengthen the agency’s legal capability and posture as well as to align the division with AFSA’s direction and other agency functions. About the person Our ideal candidate is a forward-thinking professional with significant legal experience and experience in reforming and modernising the legal function within an agency in the Commonwealth environment. They are confident at navigating complex challenges, operating in an ambiguous environment, and can drive a different approach to shift AFSA’s Legal Division to a new litigation model as well as a delivery model that includes service standards and continuous improvement. Key responsibilities Provisioning of legal advice and the management and resolution of complex litigation and disputes for internal stakeholders. Oversight of the development and implementation of quality frameworks and records management systems to support improved agency efficiency and effectiveness. Identifying and implementing of opportunities for innovation to improve and modernise service delivery. Building a highly skilled, engaged and adaptable workforce operating in a dynamic and professional working environment. Ensuring optimal allocation of financial and corporate resources with attention on robust corporate governance. Qualifications and experience Tertiary qualifications in law suitable to operate as General Counsel including admission to practice. Extensive knowledge and experience of the legislative, regulatory and compliance frameworks that apply to Commonwealth government agencies and legal practices. Practicing certificate or eligibility to hold a practicing certificate. Enrolment or eligibility for enrolment on the High Court Roll. Strong presentation skills and the ability to represent AFSA in public forums and legal proceedings. Travel will be a requirement for the role. For further information, please review the attached position description. Eligibility Please note that this opportunity is open only to Australian Citizens. The successful applicant must have, or be willing to undergo a security clearance to the level of Negative Vetting 1 as a condition of employment. To satisfy character requirements all AFSA employees must undergo a police records check. Where a person has received a redundancy benefit from APS agency employment and their corresponding redundancy benefit period has not expired, they may be ineligible for employment. We encourage applications from peoples from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability. Why AFSA? We are a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential, and encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disability. AFSA offers a competitive salary plus generous superannuation with employer contributions of 15.4%. We encourage every employee to balance their family commitments and personal interests with flexible working options. How to apply Applications close Monday 10 March 2025 at 11:59 PM AEDT. Prior to applying, please obtain an applicant pack by emailing , quoting Ref. No.1155 in the subject line. If further information is required after reviewing the documentation, please contact Amanda O’Rourke on 0452 199 031. RecruitAbility applies to this vacancy. Under the RecruitAbility scheme you will be invited to participate in further assessment activity for the vacancy if you choose to apply under the scheme; declare you have a disability; and meet the minimum requirements for the job. For more information visit: Contact officer: Amanda O’Rourke on 0452 199 031, or #J-18808-Ljbffr