Defence General Counsel - Department of Defence - GovernmentCareer - Federal

First listed on: 04 April 2019

Defence General Counsel 

The Department of Defence is seeking a highly qualified and experienced legal practitioner to fill the Defence General Counsel position within Defence Legal Division.

Defence Legal is the integrated national organisation that provides legal advice and other legal support services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Department of Defence and the Australian Government. The Division draws upon the professional talent of our people to pursue excellence in support of Defence operations, command, management and administration of a large and complex organisation. 

The Defence General Counsel is responsible for the provision of legal advice and support on a range of issues referred by Head Defence Legal, Defence senior management and Ministers, as well as the overall operations of the Defence General Counsel branch.

The General Counsel branch comprising four directorates with a total staff of up to 30 legal and administrative personnel provides high-level legal advice on major, complex and sensitive issues arising within the Defence Organisation in administrative law; legislation and legal policy; litigation and special financial claims.

The successful candidate will be required to have good knowledge, skills and advanced professional expertise as a senior legal practitioner, as well as experience in the application of law in a government setting. An understanding of the relevant environmental factors affecting Defence, the relationship between complex issues and a sound grasp of Commonwealth frameworks, such as procurement, financial, employment and security, are all important. The occupant of the role must have high level relationship management, influencing and negotiation skills, with strong leadership ability.

The remuneration package includes superannuation, an Executive Vehicle allowance and, where applicable, relocation expenses. The salary component for this position may be negotiated with the successful candidate.

Engagement may be negotiated on an ongoing basis or for a specified term. To be eligible for this role, an applicant must have more than ten years of post-qualification legal experience; hold a relevant degree in law (or equivalent qualification); hold a graduate diploma in legal practice (or equivalent); be admitted as a lawyer, legal practitioner, barrister, solicitor or barrister and solicitor of the High Court or Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory; and be eligible to hold and maintain a practising certificate in the jurisdiction in which they practice. 

To be eligible for engagement, an applicant must be a permanent Australian citizen. This is a security-designated position. The successful applicant will be required to undergo security assessments to the appropriate level. 

To discuss the requirements of this position, after obtaining the selection criteria, please telephone Jonathon Beaumont or Fabrizia Luca of Gillian Beaumont Legal on 02 6126 4500 quoting reference GBL5025.

An applicant information pack, including selection criteria and application instructions, can be obtained by visiting https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/cp/?audiencetypecode=defenceext.

Applications close at 11:30pm (AEST) Thursday, 18 April 2018.

For Senior Executive Service administrative recruitment enquiries please contact the Directorate of Senior Officer Management on (02) 6265 1742 or via email at DSOM@defence.gov.au.