Aboriginal Identified

This vacancy is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identified recruitment under Part 5, clause 26 of the Government Sector Employment (General) Rules 2014.

Legal Aid NSW considers that being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a genuine occupational qualification under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). Applicants for this role must satisfy the Aboriginality criteria. Aboriginality is defined by descent through parentage, identification as being Aboriginal and being accepted in the community as such. In the pre-screening questions you will need to provide information on how you satisfy the Aboriginality criteria.

**WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN LEGAL AID NSW**

Legal Aid NSW is the largest legal aid agency in Australia, comprising of a Central Sydney office and 28 regional offices in metropolitan and regional centres across NSW including the two satellite offices located at Walgett and Bourke, and a number of specialist services and advice clinics. Working at Legal Aid NSW provides the opportunity to support people with disabilities, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and children, Indigenous people and people with mental illness who may experience difficulties when enforcing and defending their rights.

We believe a workforce that reflects our clients is important in delivering a service that meets the needs of community and are proud to say we have the largest number of Aboriginal solicitors in any legal practice in NSW. We are aiming for 11% of all staff to be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Legal Aid NSW is committed to providing culturally safe workplaces, actively engaging in culturally safe practices and to delivering culturally safe services to Aboriginal people and communities. Legal Aid NSW strives to be an organisation where Aboriginal people want to work, where we value Aboriginal voices and culture, and where we are on a journey of healing and learning together.

We offer flexible work arrangements to all our staff. Most of our staff work flexibly.

The Disaster Response Legal Service (DRLS) is a specialist service within the Civil Law Division of Legal Aid NSW that provides legal assistance to communities across NSW as part of the government response to disasters. The DRLS provides targeted, trauma-informed legal services and specialises in everyday legal issues that arise following disasters. The DRLS model of service delivery is flexible, client centred and aims to mitigate the impact of disasters on individuals, families, and communities.

**ABOUT THE ROLE**

This role sits within the DRLS. The primary purpose of the role is to:

- Ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people impacted by disasters are informed of their legal assistance options to address their unmet legal needs.
- Assist solicitors and administrative staff to develop, co-ordinate, facilitate and implement outreach services, community legal education sessions and engagement with Aboriginal communities impacted by disasters.

**ABOUT YOU**

The successful applicant will be an enthusiastic and committed team member with experience in responding to the complex needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. You should be able to communicate with people from a variety of backgrounds and with relevant stakeholders and service delivery partners.

**ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS**
- Aboriginality
- Drivers' License
- Willingness to undertake a Criminal Record Check and Working with Children Check
- Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencement

**HOW TO APPLY**

Applicants should read the Role Description and consider the Focus Capabilities and Key Accountabilities when preparing their resume and cover letter.

Applicants are requested to attach:

- current resume / curriculum vitae (CV) (maximum 5 pages)
- cover letter (maximum 2 pages) responding to the following two questions:
**_1. What knowledge, skills and experience would you bring to this role that would assist with engaging with Aboriginal communities of the Northern Rivers regions?_**

**_ 2. Outline your experience co-ordinating, facilitating and implementing outreach services and community education sessions with Aboriginal communities._**

The selection process will include a range of comparative assessment techniques to assist in determining capability and suitability for the role.

This recruitment will be used to fill any current vacancies and may be used to create a Talent Pool for similar future temporary or ongoing vacancies that may arise over the next 18 months.

**OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION**

Legal Aid NSW provides dignified access to accommodate the diverse needs of our community. We acknowledge and support the access needs of people with visible and invisible disabilities, as such all of our offices are accessible.

**FURTHER INFORMATION**
- Temporary opportunity in Lismore (35 hours per week)
- Flexible work options available
- Working at Legal Aid NSW