Family Violence Coordinator

**JOB DESCRIPTION**:
ABOUT SMLS

Established in 1973, South-East Monash Legal Service (SMLS) is a community legal centre that provides free legal assistance to people in Southeast Melbourne. SMLS provides legal information, advice and case work including representation for people experiencing disadvantage on a range of legal matters, such as family law and family violence, employment law, debt and fines, civil litigation, wills, power of attorney, and tenancy.

SMLS aims to empower and support members of the community to understand and make use of the law and the legal system to protect their rights and to increase their awareness of their legal responsibilities. SMLS is a strong advocate of and committed to the use of integrated service models to address multifaceted challenges facing our community members.

SMLS is committed to advocacy and social change. SMLS is a leader in the provision of community and clinical legal education; advocacy through policy submissions and lobbying; outreach services; and targeted referral programs.

POSITION PURPOSE

The is an exciting new role at SMLS - we are looking to support and mentor an emerging Coordinator of our Family Violence Team. You will support the Director of Legal Practice in coordinating our family violence and victims’ legal service. You will be looking to build on mentoring and supervision skills. You will be able to share your insights and support junior staff base through your prior experience in family violence and victims of crime case work.

You will be able to think critically about the impact of family violence and embrace an integrated practice model. SMLS is committed to building strong and transferable skills in our lawyers.

SMLS is a well-established and highly regarded service. This role will suit someone who has some practice in family violence jurisdiction, is confident in a court room, working with stakeholders and wants to build their skills in supervision.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

**Team Leadership and Legal Practice**
- Assist with coordination, and achievement of tasks across the (SFVVSS) to achieve the SMLS strategic goals.
- Facilitate the planning, coordination, development, and evaluation of operations for (SFVVSS).
- Promote effective external stakeholder engagement, particularly with the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court.
- Establish and consolidate a positive relationship with the new Children’s Court in Dandenong.
- Undertake a range of duties including (but not limited to) developing practices and procedures, problem definition, planning, exercise of judgement.
- Exercise autonomy in establishing the operation of the work area including delegating programming, coordinating workflows, and delivering staff supervision.
- Provide a safe learning environment for all members of the team including identifying and implementing training programs for continued professional development.
- Provide supervision and training for new Duty Lawyers commencing in the Family Violence team.
- Encourage team members to contribute to ways of bettering the service and the relationships with stakeholders.
- Provide high quality legal advice across areas of practice
- Provide ongoing casework that is highly organised and of a standard of excellence
- Participate in strategic litigation and projects as directed by the Legal Practice Director to address systemic legal disadvantage experienced by priority clients in our region.
- Prepare written reports on activities related to allocated responsibilities including the preparation of case studies and other materials for reporting and compliance purposes.

**To apply: please provide a one page cover letter and your resume.**

**Applications will be processed as they are received until this role is filled.**

**FIRM OR ORGANISATION NAME**:
South-East Monash Legal Service

**CONTACT NAME**:
Lily McAuliffe

**EMAIL ADDRESS**:
**JOB LEVEL**:
Post-admission

**SECTOR**:
Legal services

**COUNTRY**:
Australia

**STATE**:
Victoria