Description:
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) are currently looking for Senior Lawyers at the EL1 level. Are you passionate about the legal profession, particularly in the Commonwealth. Do you have the ability to manage and organise your work in the context of tight timeframes have strong conceptual, analytical, and research skills to prepare accurate and timely advice.
AFSA’s Legal Section provides legal advice, legal and litigation support to all areas of our operations. In addition to providing specialist advice on bankruptcy, personal property securities and proceeds of crime legislation, the section advises on administrative law, contracts, and other matters relevant to our corporate governance with a whole of Commonwealth focus and in compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2017 (Cth).
About the role
As a Senior Lawyer you will work within a small team delivering services in a very complex and intellectually challenging environment to provide specialist legal advice and litigation services.
You will contribute to the legal team and take a high degree of responsibility for team outcomes. You are expected to have a thorough understanding of the relevant legislation and legislative framework that supports the work of AFSA. You will play a leading role in dispute resolution services including analysis, interpretation and application of legislation, policies, practices, and precedents to resolve complex legal issues, escalating where appropriate.
You will work under the supervision and direction of the Principal Lawyer in your team. While having a significant degree of autonomy, relevant work is second-counselled by a Principal Lawyer.
Senior Lawyers may also lead small teams required to improve legally sound decision making by developing staff capability and mentoring less experienced staff.
Accountabilities
You will undertake complex and/or sensitive legal work under broad direction including:
- Reviewing, preparing, and managing litigation matters and assisting with (or managing) more complex litigation
- Appearing in Tribunal proceedings and direct briefing counsel
- Leading and managing legal staff and building team capability through coaching and performance feedback as well as encouraging career development. This includes implementing work plans for the team including delegating tasks and priorities, managing workflow, and allocating resources. Involves the motivation of team members, building cooperation and improving team performance
- Partner and collaborate with business areas within AFSA to foresee legal challenges and takes proactive measures to resolve them
- Performing research and analysis to draft advice and/or make decisions that involve complex or escalated issues, longer-term planning, and liaison with other areas of within the agency’
- Representing AFSA by promoting its interests at community and cross-agency levels;
- Contributing to the development of team objectives for short term tasks and strategic planning for longer-term initiatives and monitoring changes in the broader work environment that may impact on work objectives;
- Development, review, and implementation of policies and work practices compliant with relevant legislation and consistent with best practice.
While having a significant degree of autonomy, relevant work is second-counselled by a Principal Lawyers or the General Counsel.
Qualifications and experience
Essential
- Bachelor of law degree or equivalent
- Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory
- Holder of (or eligible to hold) a current practicing certificate
- 3-5 years’ experience in legal practice preferably in a government environment with some experience in litigation, administrative law (including privacy), financial/insolvency law and/or regulation
- Experience leading teams and/or supervising and mentoring staff, ideally in a legal practice context.
Desirable
Regulatory and/or insolvency experience.
Position Eligibility Requirements:
- 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 Baseline as a condition of employment
- To satisfy character requirements all AFSA employees must undergo a police records check.
How to apply
We encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, people from culturally diverse backgrounds and people with disabilities.
All applications are submitted through the AFSA careers portal.
- Please upload a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) and
- A current resume
Applications for this vacancy close at 11:59PM AEDT , Friday 7 March 2025.
About AFSA
The Australian Financial Security Authority (AFSA) is responsible for supporting a strong credit system for Australia by managing the application of bankruptcy, criminal asset management and personal property securities laws through the delivery of high-quality education, compliance, and enforcement services. We strive to be a visible, modern, and contemporary regulator, taking a holistic approach to regulation to improve access to credit and increase financial stability, and contributing to economic and social outcomes
Why AFSA?
You will enjoy excellent conditions including:
- generous superannuation (15.4%)
- a modern work environment
- access to Employee Assistance Provider
- flexibility to balance work and personal life (including working from home arrangements and flexible start and finish times where applicable).
We are a workplace committed to providing an environment that values diversity and supports staff to reach their full potential.
At AFSA we encourage every employee balance their family commitments and personal interests with flexible working options.