2022 Indigenous Secondee Lawyer (Start ASAP)

The Australian Government Solicitor (AGS) and the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) are pleased to offer a position for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Lawyer/Law graduate with an interest in human rights and social justice. The successful candidate will work full-time at PIAC's Sydney office, gaining hands-on experience in litigation, community outreach and law reform work. This is a full-time paid position with AGS for an 18-month period with opportunities for training and mentoring.

About us

AGS is the Australian Government's central legal practice and part of the Attorney-General's Department. AGS helps Commonwealth clients to manage legal issues, navigate new challenges and find solutions that deliver the best outcomes for Australia. We are a self-funded legal practice and compete for our work. We are also proud to have a strong pro bono program through which we are able to make a meaningful contribution to the community. We have, as part of our pro bono program, a long-standing relationship with PIAC, an independent non-profit law and policy organisation dedicated to obtaining social justice for disadvantaged individuals and at the broader, systemic level.

About the role

While you will be employed directly by AGS, you will work full-time at PIAC, working on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Justice projects in the strategic litigation team and advising clients through the Homeless Persons' Legal Service (HPLS). You will also have opportunities to undertake related policy development work and strategic litigation.

There is flexibility in the position, and the focus of your work will vary according to your interests and the needs of PIAC. For example, there is scope to work in other practice areas of the strategic litigation team. As a guide, it is expected you will:

• undertake legal casework on behalf of HPLS and litigation clients, under the supervision of the relevant senior solicitor and Principal Solicitor
• assist the strategic litigation team to develop relationships throughout NSW, to support work done in partnership with the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander community and peak organisations, to assist with encouraging referrals to PIAC and in identifying public interest issues
• support the HPLS senior solicitor to undertake case work and to supervise work by pro bono lawyers
• develop responses to policy issues, including by assisting to draft submissions, reports and articles
• report to the AGS National Manager, Pro Bono Services on issues relating to the secondment.

For further information about the requirements of the position, please refer to the role description available below.

About you

This role will suit a junior Aboriginal or Torres Strait Lawyer or Law Graduate with an interest in social justice and human rights. The successful candidate will ideally have:

• completed an LLB or JD law degree in Australia
• legal advocacy and writing skills
• demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes individually and/or in a team environment.

AGS offers our lawyers commercially competitive remuneration packages, including 15.4% superannuation.

This is a full-time role and will be offered on a non-ongoing basis for a period of 18-months. The Law Graduate position will be designated as Paralegal and classified as APS Level 4 or APS Level 5 within the APS Level 4 - 5 Paralegal Broadband. The Lawyer position will be designated as Lawyer and classified as APS Level 3 to APS Level 5 within the APS Level 3-6 Broadband.

To apply

To apply you must:

1. be an Australian Citizen and be willing to obtain and maintain a security clearance at the appropriate level; and
2. identify as being either Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

In addition, it is a PIAC requirement that you are up-to-date with your Covid19 vaccinations (the initial two, and the booster). To apply, please visit our recruitment career website http://www.ags.gov.au/employment/current-vacancies.html for details.