APS6 - GENERAL COMMERCIAL LAWYER

at  Australian Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (Department) is responsible for the design and delivery of the Australian Government’s infrastructure, transport, regional development, communications and arts policies and programs.
Our work touches every Australian community and underpins our economy and society. Our focus is on connecting Australians, enriching communities, and empowering our regions. We do this by providing policy advice to government, and delivering programs, services and research for the benefit of all Australians.
The legal services function in the Department provides high quality, technically excellent, and practical legal advice, support and services for the Department and Ministers’ offices, on the diverse areas covered by the portfolio.

THE OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE AVAILABLE

The Legal, FOI & Privacy Division is seeking a junior level (APS6 level, 2+ years PQE), dynamic and talented commercial lawyer to join our growing legal team. With strong technical legal abilities, our ideal candidate will have excellent written/oral communication and interpersonal skills and a proactive/ enquiring mindset to enable and deliver on the commercial focused aspects of the Division’s legal services.
Reporting to a Senior Lawyer - General Commercial (EL1), this newly created role will collaborate with other lawyers to deliver outcomes as part of a high performing legal team managing a diverse portfolio of matters that are crucial to the wellbeing of every Australian and the prosperity of the nation. This is an opportunity to advance your career and/or gain experience working in the Australia Public Service, working with high profile stakeholders.

The Commercial Law team, which includes a general commercial law function, provides a broad range of legal services to the Department (including to support the delivery of major projects such as Western Sydney Airport, Moorebank Intermodal Freight Terminal and WestConnex). Particular areas of focus for the team, include:

• major infrastructure projects, including air, road and rail;
• regional development initiatives;
• support for the administration of offshore non-self-governing Australian territories;
• communications services;
• broader corporate and procurement services for the Department; and
• surface transport matters, including aviation, maritime and road transport.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is subject to conditions prescribed within the Public Service Act 1999 including:

• Citizenship: To be eligible for employment with the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts applicants must be an Australian citizen.
• Health Assessment: The preferred applicant may be required to undergo a medical examination conducted by the department’s preferred medical provider.
• Security Clearance: The successful candidate must be able to obtain and/or maintain a security clearance at [[Baseline]] Level. You must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information. You must have lived in Australia, or have a checkable background, for at least the preceding five years for Baseline Vetting clearances. More information on the security clearance vetting process is available on the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
• Qualifications:
• Tertiary degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution, or a comparable overseas qualification which is appropriate to the duties of the position - (APS6 level, 2+ years PQE),
• Admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or of the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory or have completed and satisfied all requirements to be eligible for admission.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for this opportunity close at 11:59pm AEST, Sunday 02June 2024.
In applying for this position, you will be asked to provide a short statement of no more than two (2) pages outlining your background, capabilities and experience, and how these align with the capabilities and behaviours required to be successful in this role (as identified in the ‘Who are we looking for’ section). You must also provide a CV, to a maximum of five (5) pages.
Your application should be received through our online recruitment system. Applications via Indeed (or other recruitment or job advertising websites/agencies) will not be accepted.
If you experience any issues with the system please contact the Recruitment Team on 02 6274 6161 or via email to recruitment@infrastructure.gov.au to discuss an alternative way to submit your application.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Working closely with Senior Lawyers, Principal Lawyers and the General Counsel – Commercial, you will be responsible for:

• assisting with the carriage of, and providing advice on, commercial law matters and procurements (including the Department’s varied portfolio of major/strategic projects) drafting, reviewing and negotiating key transaction and supporting contracts;
• supporting the development and maintenance of the Department’s commercial law related precedents;
• partnering with internal stakeholders to inform, design and deliver effective and efficient legal solutions that meet the Department’s requirements;
• supporting the efficient and value for money delivery services provided by external legal service providers who may be appointed to assist with matters from time to time; and
• contributing to team and organisational level continuous improvement and skills/capacity building initiatives, including by supporting internal training to the Department on commercial law related issues from time to time.

We actively support flexible work arrangements. The preference for the role is for a full-time position, however we are flexible in terms of allowing home-based work upon discussion with the Principal lawyer.

• an excellent opportunity to grow and diversify your career in a high-profile organisation and role;

• a flexible, family friendly workplace and a diverse and supportive team environment – for example, flexible working arrangements including home-based work in accordance with the Departmental policy;
• exposure to high profile and exciting matters/pieces of work and networking opportunities across the Department and wider APS – including through access to our internal staff networks and communities of practice;
• study assistance, support for continuing legal education and vocational training (including formal training and capability development opportunities focused on your individual career goals); and
• mentoring and coaching opportunities, work-life balance and excellent conditions of service (for example, 15.4% superannuation, a typical 37.5 hour working week, additional paid leave over the Christmas shutdown period and (where eligible to do so) we may even be able to recognise periods of prior State or Commonwealth Service for long service leave purposes in accordance with the Long Service Leave (Commonwealth Employees) Act 1976 (Cth))