Legal Officer

Governance & Resource Management Group / Office of the National Data Commissioner / Policy, Regulation and Legal Branch
- APS 5 ($85,836 - $96,313), APS 6 ($94,434 - $115,254) | Ongoing | Full-time & Part-time
- Canberra, ACT

**ABOUT THE OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL DATA COMMISSIONER**

The National Data Commissioner (Commissioner) is the regulator of the new, best practice scheme for sharing Australian Government data - the DATA Scheme - underpinned by the _Data Availability and Transparency Act 2022_. The DATA Scheme is focused on increasing the availability and safe use of Australian Government data to help deliver government services that are simple, helpful and respectful, inform better government policies and programs, and support world-leading research and development. The Commissioner also delivers education and support for best practice data sharing and handling. The Office of the National Data Commissioner (ONDC) sits within the Department of Finance and supports the Commissioner to deliver these functions.

The ONDC is an inclusive and diverse team, and we pride ourselves on supporting one another to deliver high quality products and outcomes for the Minister, Commissioner and the Australian public. Fifty percent of our staff in the Policy, Regulation and Legal Branch have caring responsibilities, and we are committed to helping staff achieve work life balance.

We enjoy working hard and celebrating our successes together as a team. We endeavour to bring out the best in each other and recognise that everyone has different strengths. We are dedicated to supporting and celebrating those from diverse backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islanders, Culturally and Linguistically Diverse colleagues, those living with a disability and/or neurodiversity, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We support a range of flexible work arrangements.

The Legal Services team provides high quality legal advice and assurance services to all areas of the ONDC and the Commissioner to support the Commissioner exercise their regulatory, advice, guidance, and education functions under the DATA Scheme. There may also be opportunities for non
- legal roles in regulatory, policy and operational teams across the ONDC, which may be offered to lawyers seeking multidisciplinary experience.

**ABOUT THE** OPPORTUNITY**

The Legal Services team is seeking lawyers with skills and experience relevant to administrative and public law, data and information law, and/or commercial law, who can prepare practical and technically sound legal and assurance advice reflecting a clear understanding of ONDC’s operations and strategic environment.

Core duties will include:

- promoting and managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders including senior executives
- working collaboratively with internal clients and across the ONDC, and with other legal, policy and operational functions in Finance, and external stakeholders.

Job specific criteria (Legal Officer)
- have a tertiary degree in Law from an Australia tertiary institution (or comparable overseas degree)
- be admitted as a legal practitioner of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory or meet the necessary requirements to be admitted
- hold or be eligible to obtain a Practicing Certificate

**DETAILED VACANCY INFORMATION**

For detailed information about these roles, including the job specific capabilities, please refer to the downloadable vacancy pack, which can be accessed by clicking the hyperlink at the bottom of this page.

**ELIGIBILITY ADVICE & CANDIDATE NOTES**
- Under section 22(8) of the _Public Service Act 1999_, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS) unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing.
- Successful applicants will be required to undergo the process to obtain and maintain, or continue to hold the required security clearance level for the role as indicated in the downloadable job pack. All Finance staff are required to have a minimum baseline security clearance prior to commencement.

**CONTACT INFORMATION**
- For specific questions relating to this job vacancy, please refer to the details on the contact officer located in the downloadable job pack.