Legal Policy Officer

• Assist with the provision of high-quality evidence based legal policy advice in relation to the Attorney-General's functions as First Law Officer
• A Fixed-Term, Full-Time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service for 24 months
• VPS Grade 4: $97,955 - $111,142 plus superannuation.

About the Team:

The First Law Officer (FLO) team sits within the Integrity Policy and Performance business unit of the Integrity, Regulation and Legal Services group, and leads the delivery of legal policy advice in relation to the Attorney-General's First Law Officer functions.

Attorney-General's First Law Officer functions comprise a variety of interesting matters which go to upholding the rule of law and promoting the administration of justice. The team's work includes receiving and managing applications for and advises on:

• petitions for mercy, including the Governor's power to grant a pardon and the Attorney-General's power to refer matters to the Court of Appeal
• the transfer of prisoners between jurisdictions to face trial
• the expungement scheme, which allows for the expungement of historical convictions for homosexual activity which would not be a crime today, and
• the State's compliance with its obligations to act as a model litigant.

About the Role:

The Legal Policy Officer will have the opportunity to work on high profile and sensitive matters, providing legal policy advice involving the intersection of criminal and administrative law. The First Law Officer functions also include overseeing the management of requests from overseas courts for the taking of evidence, requests concerning the administration of charities.

Working within a highly supportive and collaborative environment, the Legal Policy Officer will focus on the delivery of the First Law Officer functions and work flexibly across other areas, as required. This is a unique opportunity to join a small, highly regarded team and work on matters that go to the heart of ensuring fairness in the justice system.

To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About You:

As our ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Knowledge of/ and or experience in a relevant area of law
• Strong analytical and written communication skills
• Knowledge and experience in criminal law and/ or Victorian Government administrative processes would be advantageous.

Qualiifications/Requirements:

• A tertiary qualification in law is required.

How to Apply:

Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.

The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).

If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:

The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.