General Counsel

2 months ago

Canberra, Australia Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development Full time

**Contact Officer**:
M: +61439074391

**Closing Date**:
11.59pm AEDT, Sunday 17 March 2024

**High Speed Rail Authority**

The High-Speed Rail Authority (the Authority) is a newly established independent Australian Government Corporate Commonwealth entity responsible for overseeing the development of a high-speed rail network along the east coast of Australia. This includes providing policy and planning advice and recommendations to the Australian Government and undertaking research and evaluation in relation to the high-speed rail network and corridor along the east coast.

East coast high speed rail will be a nationally significant project for Australia and the Authority will support the Australian Government in planning for the future by working closely with state and territory governments and other key stakeholders to develop high speed rail between major cities and key regional centres on order to advance social, economic and population outcomes. A high-speed rail network will allow passengers to travel between major and regional cities at speeds exceeding 250 kilometres per hour.

The first priority of the Authority will be the Sydney to Newcastle corridor with an Australian Government $500 million commitment to start corridor acquisition, planning and early works in consultation with the NSW Government.

The Authority is overseen by an independent Board.

**Position**:General Counsel & Board Secretary

**Reports to**:Chief Executive Officer

**Positions reporting in**:Senior Manager Governance, Secretariat Support Officer

**Purpose of** role**:
As General Counsel and Board Secretariat, you will manage the legal and secretarial needs of HSRA and enhance the support provided to the HSRA Board. You will act as a skilled and trusted advisor, providing recommendations and challenges to senior management to guide decision-making on matters that affect the strategic direction and reputation of the Authority.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Act as Secretary for, and adviser to the Board and sub-committees.
- Administration of Board processes and outputs, and facilitation of Board and governance reviews.
- Provide timely accurate and relevant legal and governance advice and ensure compliance with relevant legislative and contractual obligations.
- Support and ensure an effective and accurate communication process between the CEO, management, and Board of HSRA.
- Provide Ministerial, Parliamentary and Cabinet support.
- Coordinate Freedom of Information requests in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (Cth).
- Develop and oversee corporate processes and systems to identify and mitigate potential reputational damage.
- Manage legal panels and coordinate external legal advice and services.
- Manage and maintain the HSRA governance framework.
- Manage and maintain the HSRA enterprise risk management framework, risk registers and reviews.
- Establish corporate governance structures to meet statutory requirements.
- Foster and maintain a good working relationship with all key internal and external stakeholders.
- Manage the maintenance and accessibility of company registers, register of minutes and other documentary obligations.
- Ensure all legal claims and disputes are appropriately managed and where appropriate resolved - including maintaining relevant dispute registers.
- Advise the Board and the Authority on emerging or new legislative issues requiring attention.
- Identify and advise on appropriate management of legal risks and ensure that the Authority’s legal position is protected and, where appropriate, manage the procurement of external legal services.
- Oversee the negotiation, drafting and settlement of major contracts.
- Advise the Board and the Authority on emerging compliance related issues and recommend appropriate responses.
- Oversee the implementation of frameworks, policies and procedures that meet the Authority’s governance and accountability obligations.
- Ensure compliance with all relevant responsibilities under the PGPA Act.
- Oversee the annual review of the Board calendar.
- Undertake an annual review of Board and sub-committee charters.
- Provide strategic legal support and advice to management.

**Qualifications
- Tertiary qualifications in law/commerce or equivalent.
- Governance Institute Qualifications and/or Institute of Chartered Secretaries.

**Knowledge and Skills
- A minimum of 10 years post-qualification experience.
- Significant experience at a senior executive level, incorporating reporting obligations to stakeholders (including Boards).
- Demonstrated success in developing legal strategy and objectives.
- Experience in the delivery of major infrastructure projects
- Ability to foresee and prevent/mitigate legal risk.
- Demonstrated high level of written and oral communication skills, including formal presentation skills.
- Ability to manage contractual relationships with multi-discipline service providers.
- Demonstrated ability to influence, collaborate and

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