APS Level 6 - Legal Counsel | Executive Level 1 - Senior Legal Counsel

The Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) are looking to fill vacancies at the APS Level 6, Legal Counsel and Executive Level 1, Senior Legal Counsel levels. The OLC is responsible for providing high quality legal advice and freedom of information (FOI) services to IP Australia.

The OLC provides legal advice to all Business Groups within IP Australia on a range of issues including statutory interpretation, administrative law, information law, intellectual property law, employment law, litigation and commercial law including contracts and procurement issues.

Executive Level 1 – Senior Legal Counsel

Senior Legal Counsels support the Chief Legal Counsel (CLC) and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel (DCLC) in providing strategic, high quality, practical and timely legal services. Senior Legal Counsels must have excellent communication skills, a strong client focus and the capacity to provide practical, strategic advice across a range of complex legal issues. They show initiative and can work both independently and under the direction of the CLC and DCLC. Senior Legal Counsels must exercise sound decision making skills and judgement which takes into account the agency’s risk appetite.

Position duties

The successful applicant will be able to work under supervision to perform the following duties:

• Advise on a range of complex and diverse legal issues including privacy law, commercial law, contracts, procurement, administrative law, employment law, litigation and intellectual property law
• Draft and review legal documentation including documents relating to contracts, procurement, privacy and litigation
• Assist with the agency’s FOI function including acting as decision maker for internal review matters and preparing submissions in response to OAIC reviews
• Improve organisational performance through effective engagement with, and management of, risk within relevant sphere of influence
• Ensure compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2017
• Represent the interests of IP Australia and build positive relationships with relevant stakeholders including other Australian government agencies and external legal service providers
• Supervise and mentor Legal Counsels.

APS Level 6 – Legal Counsel

APS Level 6, Legal Counsels are responsible for undertaking legal work under the supervision of Senior Legal Counsels to support the Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Chief Legal Counsel to deliver high quality legal services to IP Australia. Legal Counsels are expected to work with limited direction and reasonable levels of autonomy and accountability. Legal Counsels are required to provide accurate, practical and timely legal services and are expected to work with a range of client areas in IP Australia. Legal Counsels must have excellent communication skills and they must exercise sound decision making skills and judgement to identify risks, challenges or issues.

Position Duties

The successful applicant will be able to work under supervision to perform the following duties:

• Provide advice on a range of legal issues including commercial law, contracts, procurement, employment law, administrative law, intellectual property law, litigation and privacy law
• Assist with the agency’s FOI function including internal reviews and OAIC reviews
• Build positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including other Australian government agencies and external legal service providers
• Improve organisational performance through effective engagement with, and management of, risk within relevant sphere of influence
• Work to achieve stated goals and objectives, taking ownership and honouring commitments
• Ensure compliance with the Legal Services Directions 2017.

Looking for more information?

Our position profile contains details including the capabilities required, the contact officer, and how to apply. Please use the link below to access the position profiles:

494352 – APS Level 6 – Legal Counsel Position Profile.pdf

494352 – Executive Level 1 – Senior Legal Counsel Position Profile.pdf

Applications close at 11:55pm AEDT on Sunday 26 March 2023