Senior Lawyer, Inquiries and Legal, Defence and Veterans' Service Commission

• Ongoing & Non-ongoing for a period of up to 24 months
• Executive Level 1 ($126,342 - $143,993) plus 15.4% superannuation
• Canberra, ACT
• Location: Canberra, ACT
• Application Closing Date: Wednesday 29 October at 11:30pm AEDT

Classification
Executive Level 1 ($126,342 - $143,993)

Employment Type
Ongoing & Non-ongoing (for a period of up to 24 months)

This role is being advertised as both ongoing and non-ongoing, with the employment type to be determined in negotiation with the preferred candidate and the PM&C delegate.

Where a non-ongoing specified term is offered, this would be for a maximum period of two (2) years. If the initial contract is for less than 2 years, it may be extended or renewed once, up to the 2 year limit.

A non-ongoing offer may result in conversion to an ongoing offer of employment, however this must occur within 18 months from the opening date of this advertisement.

Flexible Work
At DVSC we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of 'how can we make this work?' and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.

About The Defence And Veterans' Service Commission
The Defence and Veterans' Service Commission (DVSC) provides independent oversight and evidence-based advice to government on reforms to improve suicide prevention and wellbeing outcomes for serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) members.

The Australian Government established the DVSC as a new Non-corporate Commonwealth Entity (NCE) on 29 September 2025 in response to the key recommendation of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.

Key functions of the DVSC include: monitoring, inquiring and reporting on issues relevant to suicide and suicidality for serving and ex-serving ADF members; monitoring, inquiring and reporting on the implementation of the Government's response to the recommendations of the Defence and Veteran Suicide Royal Commission, improving supports for serving and ex-serving ADF members, working with coroners to understand issues contributing to Defence and veteran deaths by suicide, and promoting an understanding of suicide risks and wellbeing for Defence members and veterans, including through engaging with people with lived experience.

Working at the DVSC
As a new agency, the DVSC is now recruiting staff and capabilities and will continue to do so over the coming year. You have an opportunity to join us now where your expertise can help influence and shape our strategy in support of the Commissioner's independent oversight of wide-ranging reforms across the Defence and veteran ecosystem.

We are looking to recruit high performing and dedicated staff with a range of capabilities, who demonstrate integrity, independence and compassion.

A key focus of the DVSC's work is the prevention of suicide and suicidality. While the DVSC has a proactive wellbeing program, applicants are encouraged to consider their personal circumstances when applying for this role. Applicants can familiarise themselves with the findings and recommendations of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide for further information.

The DVSC is an independent agency. We are currently physically located in Canberra, within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet under a shared service arrangement. While we transition our employment framework, the successful candidate may be on-boarded via the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and subsequently transitioned to the DVSC.

Employment with the DVSC is offered under the Public Service (Terms and Conditions of Employment) (Defence and Veterans' Service Commission) Determination 2025.

About The Role
We are seeking an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Lawyer with a minimum of 5 years' relevant post-admission legal experience to join our small General Counsel team to advise on a range of legal matters, working in a dynamic and cohesive environment.

Working under limited direction from the General Counsel, you will use your professional knowledge and experience to contribute to the delivery of the team's services by providing high-quality legal advice and assistance on a range of inquiry-related, government and corporate legal matters.

As a Senior Lawyer, you will have an understanding of, and an ability to advise on, privacy and Freedom of Information (FOI) and Public Interest Disclosure (PID) law, administrative law and the Commonwealth's governance, risk management and financial frameworks. You will also have the capacity to acquire quickly a thorough knowledge of the Commission's enabling legislation and the Commissioner's functions, including in relation to the conduct of inquiries. You will actively manage competing requests and demands and invest in knowledge sharing. You will also work collaboratively with stakeholders, proactively contribute to process improvement and behave with integrity, enabling you to build trust and communicate with influence

In This Position You Will

• Assist the General Counsel in the provision of accurate, practical and timely legal advice and assistance to the Commission's executive team and staff on a range of matters, including corporate, administrative and matters relating to the Commission's inquiry functions
• Manage issues surrounding the collection, management, use and disclosure of personal information and protected information under the Commission's enabling legislation and the Privacy Act
• Provide advice and assistance in relation to FOI and PID matters
• Draft and review Commission policies, procedures, forms, resource materials, contracts and other legal documents for internal and external use or publication.

Our ideal candidate
The occupant of this role demonstrates integrity, independence and compassion while delivering the work of the Commission and:

• The ability to manage sensitive and confidential matters with integrity and discretion
• Experience leading projects, developing policies and implementing compliance frameworks
• Strong legal research, analysis and advisory skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare complex reports and legal documents
• Strong stakeholder engagement and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated expertise including in FOI, PID and administrative law (or the ability to quickly acquire it)
• Capacity to manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure.

Qualifications / Experience
The following is required:

• Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor
• Current Practicing Certificate or ability to obtain one
• 5 years' post-admission experience.

The Following Is Highly Regarded

• Experience drafting high quality legal advice, especially in the context of investigations or inquiries, statutory interpretation and/or administrative law
• Experience in legal policy and legislation review
• An understanding of the Commission's inquiry and oversight functions or the ability to quickly develop such understanding.

Flexible Work
At PM&C we recognise the broad benefits of offering flexibility in how, when and where work is performed. We consider flexibility first from a starting position of 'how can we make this work?' and consider individual circumstances and operational requirements in making genuine attempts to establish mutually beneficial arrangements. Please reach out to the contact officer if you would like to explore what flexibility might look like for you, such as part time work, variable start and finish times or working from home.

Eligibility

• Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999 , employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the APS unless the Agency Head has agreed otherwise, in writing. At DVSC to be eligible for this position you should be an Australian Citizen by the completion of the recruitment process , except under exceptional circumstances.
• The successful candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance, or hold a current security clearance of an appropriate level.
• The successful candidate will be assessed through our pre-employment screening checks, such as an Australian Criminal History Check, and will normally be subject to a six-month probation period if new to the APS or has not yet completed their probation period elsewhere in the APS.
• Due to the nature of work the DVSC undertakes, some roles may require staff to obtain and maintain a WWVP registration card , as per the Working with Vulnerable People (Background Checking) Act 2011.

Security Clearance Required
Negative Vetting Level 1 (Secret)

How To Apply
If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, we want to hear from you Submit an online application through the Apply link by
11:30pm AEDT on Wednesday 29 October.