Aps 6 - Legal Policy Officer

$90,199 - $101,022 per annum, plus 15.4% superannuation.
- Full-time, Ongoing and non-ongoing specified term
- Sydney, NSW

**Position Overview**
The Legal Policy Officer assists senior staff within the National Operations Team in the FCFCOA, in particular, the Director Family Violence/ Director Access, Equity and Inclusion (‘Director’), and other National Executive Officers in the Sydney registry of the FCFCOA. They will also work closely with the staff assisting the Chief Justice and Chief Executive Officer and the Principal Registrar (‘CEO/PR’) of the FCFCOA.

The Director provides timely and strategic support and assistance to the Chief Justice and CEO/PR relating to key aspects of the management and operations of the FCFCOA, its Judges, Registrars, Court Child Experts and staff. The role forms part of a National Operations Team working across both Courts in family law, migration, and general federal law.

The Director works closely with the Chief Justice, CEO/PR, Senior Executives (including the Deputy Principal Registrar, Executive Director - National Registrar Operations and Practice, and Executive Director - Court Children’s Service) and the broader National Operations Team in key areas including in-house training and education of Judges, Registrars, Court Child Experts and staff in trauma informed practice, family violence, and access, equity and inclusion. The Director also provides input to key initiatives aimed at enhancing the ability of the Courts to respond to family violence and other risks to vulnerable parties and children and to improve the Courts’ accessibility and inclusion of diverse, priority populations.

The Legal Policy Officer provides high level legal policy, administrative and project support to the National Operations Team, in particular to the Director and other National Operation Directors in the Sydney registry, as required. This includes assisting with the preparation of briefings, correspondence, presentations, reports, and submissions and supporting various committees and working groups to support internal court reform, policy development, case management processes and training and resource development, implementing key national projects and supporting the day-to-day operations of the Director and other senior staff. They will liaise with a range of key staff and internal and external stakeholders.

Some limited travel may be required.

**Key Responsibilities and Duties**
The Legal Policy Officer is responsible for assisting the Director (and other National Operation Directors in the Sydney registry) by undertaking a range of duties, including:

- Undertaking in-depth legal and policy research and analysis on topical and emerging issues of family violence, access, equity and inclusion relevant to family, migration, and general federal law, including to provide briefings/memoranda to the Director and to support internal court reform, policy development, case management processes and training and resource development.
- Responding to requests and preparing correspondence, preparing and analysing relevant data, preparing presentations and reports, including assisting with submissions or information to or for Judges, Registrars, Government and Parliament, and administrative documentation to support Corporate Services functions.
- Handling sensitive material and information confidentially on behalf of the Director and the National Operations team generally.
- Supporting various committees and working groups, including assisting with projects and research and preparing agendas and issues papers.
- Communicating effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders; and
- Other duties as required.

**Mandatory Qualifications**
Completion of a legal degree or in final year of legal studies.

**Competencies and Experience**
- Experience working in a professional environment, such as a court, law firm, research or social service agency, or Government.
- Knowledge of family law, and familiarity with general federal law and the Federal courts system.
- Knowledge of policy, practice and legal frameworks aimed at addressing family violence and intersecting forms of discrimination.
- Familiarity with the principles of public sector governance and accountability.

**Selection Criteria**
- Professional discretion, including tact and diplomacy, and an understanding of how to handle sensitive information with a high level of confidentiality and discretion.
- Advanced oral and written communication and liaison skills; the ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with stakeholders in various roles and disciplines, and with people from diverse cultural and language groups.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, sound judgment and the ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships with key staff and a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Demonstrated understanding of current policy, practice and legal frameworks aimed at addressing family