Aps 5 - Legal and Policy Officer

**_This position is within the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA)_**

**Position overview**
The Legal and Policy Officer will assist and support the Chief Justice of the FCFCOA (Division 1)/Chief Judge of the FCFCOA (Division 2) (‘Chief Justice’) with the exercise of his Honour’s duties and day-to-day responsibilities across two extremely busy Courts. The Legal and Policy Officer will work directly with the National Strategic Adviser and the National Executive Adviser in the Chief Justice’s legal and policy team.

The Legal and Policy Officer will support the National Strategic Adviser and National Executive Adviser across legal and policy work and projects. This will involve legal research, legal drafting, policy development and data analysis, and preparing reports, correspondence, presentations and other critical material. The Legal and Policy Officer will work across all areas of family law, general federal law and migration, and across all kinds of projects in the Courts.

The Legal and Policy Officer will also be required to assist with the creation of processes, procedures and guides, including to assist Judges’ Chambers staff.

The role requires high level written and oral communication skills, the ability to be proactive, responsive, willing to explore novel issues, utilise critical thinking, and analyse evidence and data to craft creative solutions to the day-to-day legal and non-legal issues that arise in the Courts’ administration. Organisation skills, great attention to detail and the ability to work under pressure are required.

**Key Responsibilities and Duties**
Assisting the National Strategic Adviser, and National Executive Adviser, and therefore the Chief Justice, with their duties by undertaking legal, policy, analytical and administrative work, including:

- Undertaking legal research and analysis to assist with internal projects and policy development;
- Assisting with the preparation of reports, presentations, speeches and correspondence for the Chief Justice;
- Assisting with data analysis and reporting to inform case management processes, internal reforms and other initiatives;
- Assisting with the preparation of education and training material for Associates and Chambers staff;
- Communicating effectively with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including working closely with the IT and communications teams to coordinate the implementation of projects; and
- Working closely with the national operations team assisting the Chief Justice and CEO/PR;
- Preparing agendas and issues papers, coordinating meetings, taking minutes and supporting committees and events as required.

**Selection Criteria**
The successful applicant will need to have:

- Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
- Legal and policy research skills, including the ability to critically evaluate information, research primary and secondary legal material and draft important papers, summaries, submissions and reports, underpinned by strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- The ability to critically analyse and present data in an accessible way, or the willingness to learn to do so.
- Professional discretion, including tact and diplomacy, and an understanding of how to handle sensitive information.
- Well-developed interpersonal skills, including the ability to build and maintain productive working relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent initiative and proactive attitude, and proven ability to organise, multitask and deliver results to tight deadlines.
- Demonstrated proficiency with technology, including the use of electronic legal resources and the ability to learn and use the Courts’ case management systems and courtroom technology.
- Demonstrated understanding, or ability to acquire such knowledge quickly, of the Family Law Act 1975, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021, Rules and Regulations; and the jurisdiction and practices and procedures of the FCFCOA (Division 1) and the FCFCOA (Division 2).

**Contact Officer**

**Eligibility**

To be eligible for employment with the Federal Court of Australia, you must be an Australian Citizen and will be required to provide proof of citizenship if you are the successful applicant.

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

**Total package: $92,713 to $101,058 per annum (including base salary of $80,341 to $87,572 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation)