Legal Officer

Part Time Position (with the possibility of Full Time)

About us

The Uniting Church in Australia (the Church) is a large, uniquely Australian Christian denomination with heritage from historical reformed evangelical denominations. In Queensland, the Uniting Church has around 250 congregations and includes early learning centres, schools, colleges, and large community services (such as UnitingCare Queensland – BlueCare, Lifeline, Wesley Hospital and Wesley Mission Queensland).

We are a church that values relationships, collaboration, and service, seeking to steward our resources in ways that reflect the love of Christ. The Queensland Synod Office works to enable, equip, and encourage a growing and renewing Church across Queensland, acting in alignment with the discernment of Synod in Session. We are mission-driven and service-oriented, fostering an environment of collaboration, support, and care for the communities we serve.

The Uniting Church is multicultural, committed to reconciliation with First Peoples, calls for reconciliation across its communities and aims to use its people and property resources wisely and in the furtherance of God's mission in the world.

Position Purpose

The purpose of this role is to investigate, provide legal services for, and manage complaints and discipline matters relating to the conduct of Church members, adherents and ministerial agents. This is a deeply relational role that is required to develop relationships with congregations and presbyteries throughout the Synod.

This role will also provide ad-hoc legal advice and services to support the broader Synod.

Responsibilities:

• Provide accurate and impartial legal advice and recommendations to the Church in relation to complaints, discipline and misconduct matters whilst ensuring that Synod processes set out under the Synod legislation, regulations and polices are followed.

• Thoroughly investigate complaint, discipline and misconduct matters in accordance with Church regulations and policies whilst affording parties procedural fairness.

•  Act as the first point of referral for a complainant who has contacted the Church and initiate the required actions.

• Develop, implement and train appropriate persons in congregations and presbyteries in effective and accessible complaint handling procedures and prevention strategies.

• Ensure that all complaints are clearly documented and dealt with in a consistent, fair, succinct and timely manner.

• Provide clear guidance on internal investigation procedures, record keeping requirements, maintenance of confidentiality, and settlement procedures.

• Provide professional advice for the development of internal policies, procedures and templates, and strategies to provide internal and external client focused customer service, as well as identifying procedural enhancements based on learning from complaints and compliance incidents.

• Where applicable, manage the use of external legal providers in relation to legal / regulatory affairs and establish and maintain productive working relationships with such providers.

•Provide ad-hoc legal advice and services to support the broader Synod including in relation to wills, bequests, property and commercial matters

• Model the values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod in day-to-day work including in interactions with managers, lay staff, ministry agents, clients and stakeholders.

• Work within the Code of Conduct and other policies and procedures of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and the provisions of the Workplace Health and Safety and other relevant legislation, including reporting hazards/incidents, support for injured workers and full participation in return-to-work plans.

• Undertake other duties for the legal and risk function, as and when directed, within the scope of the role and the capabilities of the incumbent.

What's in it for You?

• Flexible work hours

• Hybrid role – Auchenflower office and Work from Home

• Free off-street parking at the office

• Employee Culture Club Activities

• Paid Parental Leave

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification in law
• Admission to practice as a legal practitioner in the State of Queensland
• Must hold, or be eligible to hold, a Queensland Legal Practicing Certificate
• Must hold, or be able to obtain a Working with Children Check (Bluecard)

Experience and Skills

• 2-5 years' post admission legal experience.

• Demonstrated experience in complaints and discipline matters.

•  Strong investigations experience with experience in conducting confidential inquiries with adults and children, evidence gathering and production of comprehensive reports and legal briefs.

• Ability to work within the complex structures of the Church and quickly get across the Church's regulatory environment– including the Synod's Constitution, Regulations and complaints and discipline policies.

• Strong understanding of the traditions and practices of the Church and the ability to develop strong stakeholder relationships quickly.

• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service orientation.

• High level written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to prioritise tasks and manage a varied workflow, including the ability to initiate, follow through and complete tasks for matters under the direction of the General Counsel and General Secretary.

• Demonstrated ability to respond effectively to potential crises, and liaise effectively, diplomatically and discretely at all levels within the Church on confidential and highly sensitive legal matters.

• Demonstrated capacity to work at a high level of accuracy and maintain a high level of detail.

• Proficiency in contemporary computer software applications (Microsoft Office – word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook), electronic content management and systems to ensure accurate records of all matters.

• Proven ability to make decisions with and without established guidelines which demonstrate strong analytical skills and are in accordance with the risk & compliance criteria operating within the Church.

• Commitment to working within the purpose and values of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod and adhering to the policies, organisational requirements and processes.

• Suitability Card for Child Related Employment (Blue Card) or ability to obtain.

•  The successful applicant must be eligible to legally work in Australia and proof of eligibility may be requested.

If you are a culturally &/or linguistically diverse, living with a disability or returning to the workforce after a period of time off raising children, we recognise you are less likely to apply for this position, however we strongly consider those who can meet most of the above and have a great work ethic to formalise their application.

Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod is committed to being a child safe, child friendly organisation and for all children who come into contact with our services we will provide welcoming, safe and nurturing services, prevent child abuse and neglect within our services and appropriately and immediately address child abuse and neglect if it does occur.

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