Legal Counsels

**Job no**: 511586

**Employment type**: Ongoing

**Location**: Canberra

**Categories**: Legal, APS Level 5, APS Level 6

**About the department**:
The department plays a key role in the Australian Government’s agenda to create jobs and build a stronger, more resilient and competitive economy. Our work builds on Australia’s existing strengths, supports businesses to grow, and drives new opportunities for long-term productivity growth and prosperity. The success of the department helps Australia recover from the economic consequences of COVID19 and adapt to its ongoing effects. Through our work, we support the government’s economic recovery plan and help to deliver a better future for all Australians.

**About the team**:
The Department of Industry, Science and Resources Legal Branch advises all areas of the department on a broad range of legislative, program and policy issues affecting a diverse portfolio that supports Australia’s economic growth and job creation.

Lawyers in the Legal Branch engage in a variety of interesting and rewarding work. We provide best practice legal services to our clients for the benefit of Australian businesses and the wider public. We provide a supportive and collegiate working environment which is both challenging and enjoyable.

We are seeking Legal Counsels to fill critical roles across a wide range of legal practice areas and teams.

The policies and initiatives led by the department are diverse and include:

- Industry Innovation and Science, including artificial intelligence, space programs and international collaboration
- Resources, including critical minerals
- Growing Australian industries through trade
- AusIndustry: services for Australian business and industry
- Measurement services

Government to government services, including platforms to streamline business registration and program delivery. This diversity results in a wide range of legal work in:

- Administrative decision making
- Statutory interpretation
- Contracts and grants
- Regulatory compliance and enforcement
- Freedom of information
- Privacy
- Bills and legislative instruments
- Litigation and dispute resolution

You will contribute to and facilitate the delivery of timely, accurate, practical and strategic advice across a diverse range of policy and program areas and corporate areas.

**APS Level 5 Legal Counsel**:

- Legal knowledge in at least one of the following practice areas: commercial law, statutory interpretation and administrative law, legislation development, and litigation and dispute resolution.
- The ability to contribute to contribute towards the planning and management of complex legal projects
- Ability to manage priorities in a busy, fast-changing practice
- Well-developed interpersonal skills that foster trust and cooperation, and a proven ability to work effectively and with integrity within a politically sensitive environment
- The ability to operate with adaptability in a dynamic team environment; demonstrate astute judgment and high ethical standards; display resilience and a positive approach to the resolution of issues

**APS Level 6 Legal Counsel**:

- Legal knowledge in at least one of the following practice areas: commercial law, statutory interpretation and administrative law, legislation development, and litigation and dispute resolution.
- The ability to plan and manage complex legal projects with well-developed legal research, analysis and drafting skills underpinned by exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage a busy, fast-changing practice, including aligning legal resources with organisational priorities
- Well-developed interpersonal skills that foster trust and cooperation, and a proven ability to work effectively and with integrity within a politically sensitive environment
- The ability to operate with adaptability in a dynamic team environment; demonstrate astute judgment and high ethical standards; display resilience and a positive approach to the resolution of issues

**What you will do**:

- The provision of high quality, timely and practical legal services in relation to the diverse range of policy areas and programs administered by the department and its corporate operations.
- Working cooperatively and communicating effectively with other members of the department's legal team, internal clients, external legal providers, and other stakeholders.
- Managing external legal services providers.
- Maintaining a positive outlook whilst providing innovative solutions to legal issues.

**Duties** of the APS5 Legal Counsel include**:

- Drafting practical and technically sound legal advice for second counselling by a senior or principal counsel
- Exercising sound judgement on legal and commercial issues
- Drafting documents including briefs, instruments, agreements and correspondence
- Building productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders
- Working collaboratively with other enabling services functions in the de