LE025 - Special Counsel - Major Projects

OUR STORY

The Central Land Council (CLC) is a corporate Commonwealth entity established under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. The CLC represents traditional landowners, native title holders and other Aboriginal people in the southern half of the Northern Territory—an area of almost 780,000 square kilometres.

The CLC provides its constituents with advice, advocacy and practical assistance to support their aspirations, manage their land and realise and protect their rights.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN

Eligible Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. If an Aboriginal applicant is selected, the remaining non-Aboriginal applicants will not be assessed.

Applicants must have relevant qualifications and demonstrate that they meet essential criteria in order to be considered. An applicant selected under this affirmative action plan will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility prior to commencement, such as:

• completed statutory declaration form, or
• supporting statement from an appropriate Aboriginal organisation

THE ROLE

LE025 - Special Counsel - Major Projects

SOA ($179,509.00 FTE Pro rata $107,705.47)

FIXED TERM CONTRACT - PART TIME - 3 DAYS PER WEEK

The Special Counsel - Major Projects is based within the CLC Legal Section and provides high level legal services and advice to the Council, CLC staff, and Aboriginal people within the CLC region. The Special Counsel - Major Projects works autonomously and reports to the Principal Legal Officer.

In addition to handling their own matters, the Special Counsel - Major Projects supervises the performance and work of lawyers and other legal staff to provide legal representation and advice to the CLC and to prescribed bodies corporate, traditional Aboriginal landowners and native title holders about a variety of matters under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976 (Cth) (Land Rights Act), the recognition and exercise of native title rights and procedural rights under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) (Native Title Act), and other legislation as relevant.

The Special Counsel - Major Projects also works with the Principal Legal Officer and Legal Practice Manager to develop and maintain systems for improving the practice; and with the Manager - Native Title in relation to the delivery of the CLC's functions as a native title representative body.

If the role is undertaken on a job-share basis, then matters will be allocated between both employees based on their expertise and in discussion between them and the Principal Legal Officer.

BENEFITS

• Competitive salary and benefits package, 15.4% superannuation, five weeks annual leave and Christmas shut down period.
• Generous salary packaging (maximum $29,000 annually, depending on individual circumstances);
• Ongoing district allowance (circa $3,640 for an individual or $6,600 with dependents);
• Yearly airfare allowance (circa $1,300);
• Relocation assistance, should you be moving to the region; and
• Subsidised, fully furnished accommodation for the first four months.

The Central Land Council is dedicated to delivering ongoing professional development and career progression for its people. You will have the opportunity to undertake professional development and to take part in a number of new projects as the organisation continues to grow and innovate.

Most importantly, this role will allow you to work in a diverse environment where you affect real change.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

• Ochre card (working with vulnerable people check)
• National police clearance (Required for specific positions)
• Driver's licence
• Qualified to be admitted as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory with at least five years post-admission experience in providing legal services.
• Significant experience in the practice of native title law.

CONTACT DETAILS

If you're interested in using your skills to make a real difference apply now

Closing Date: Monday 7th July 2025 or earlier, should a suitable candidate be found earlier.

For further information about this role, please contact Kate O'Brien

For more information about the application process please contact Jess Howard (Human Resources Advisor) on or [email protected].

Total effective package includes: base salary, district allowance, superannuation, leave loading, relocation assistance, annual airfare allowance and salary packaging options. Annual progression within the salary scale is subject to satisfactory performance. Progression is in accordance with annual increments set out in an enterprise agreement.

The filling of this vacancy is an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.