Description:
About NAAJA
The North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency is a leading not-for-profit organisation that provides legal services and advocacy to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory. NAAJA’s legal practice provides high quality, culturally proficient and accessible advice, casework and court advocacy in both criminal and civil law.
What we offer
- Salary packaging options up to $18,450 per annum tax free
- Remote allowance of $3,300 per annum (if applicable)
- Annual airfare allowance
- 6 weeks annual leave
- 3 weeks personal leave
- Relocation allowance
About the role
NAAJA’s civil law practice is an extremely busy and diverse one, with practice areas including police accountability, child protection, adult guardianship, consumer, discrimination, tenancy, social security and victims of crime assistance claims.
The deputy managing lawyer is a senior civil lawyer, working closely with the civil managing lawyer, the other regional deputy managing lawyers and local lawyers and support staff. The deputy managing lawyer is responsible for the day-to-day management of the civil team in their office.
The role requires a person with good organisational ability as well as developed legal and supervision skills and experience. The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence.
What you’ll be doing
- Support the civil managing lawyer to oversee the efficient and effective management and administration of a NAAJA civil office.
- Supervision of legal staff including supervising the grant of aid process, supervising legal work, allocating work, coordinating intake and clinics, and conducting regular file reviews.
- Oversee the administrative operations of a NAAJA civil office including organising town based and remote clinics, civil calendars and duty rosters and services.
- Support and monitor the administrative and client support staff attendance and performance and conduct regular reviews in accordance with NAAJA policies.
- Advise and represent NAAJA clients in civil law matters, including undertaking casework, court work and conducting clinics including remote area advice clinics with a capacity to spend up to four nights away.
- Support the civil managing lawyer to monitor compliance with NAAJA’s funding and professional obligations in the conduct of the civil law practice.
- Representing the civil section at internal meetings and representing the civil section and/or NAAJA at meetings with external agencies and stakeholders.
- Oversee and lead office wellbeing
What we’re looking for
- 5+ years post-admission experience in civil law.
- Demonstrated ability to undertake civil litigation and casework and provide civil law advice with limited supervision.
- Excellent organisational skills, and a proven ability to mentor and/or supervise legal and non-legal staff.
- Ability to identify policy/law reform issues of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory, including an awareness of current issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and understanding of their aspirations.
- Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including effective cross-cultural communication skills, and willingness to work with cultural and language interpreters.
- Demonstrated ability to work constructively with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff to achieve NAAJA’s goals.
- Well-developed time management skills including ability to meet deadlines and manage a diverse legal practice.
Requirements
- Current drivers licence
- Ability to obtain a satisfactory working with children clearance (Ochre Card) upon commencement
- Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice
- Eligibility for admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia
How to apply
Applicants for this position must submit a cover letter and resume addressing the essential criteria.
Enquiries can be sent to hr@naaja.org.au. **Emailed applications not accepted**