Senior Legal Adviser

at  Department of Justice and Community Safety

• Utilise your legal expertise to provide support and advice to the Integrity Regulation and Legal Services branch
• Fixed-Term (until 30/06/2026), Full-Time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
• VPS Grade 5: $106,534 - $128,897 plus superannuation.

ABOUT US:

The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing in-house legal services across the Department of Justice and Community Safety (DJCS) and to the Attorney-General, as First Law Officer, and other DJCS portfolio Ministers. OGC supports a variety of policy and frontline service delivery functions for clients including Corrections Victoria, Youth Justice, Aboriginal Justice, Emergency Management, and Gaming and Liquor.
OGC brings together lawyers from varied career paths doing interesting and impactful work. This fosters a unique environment to learn and grow.

The Commercial & Regulatory team (C&R) in OGC has a fast-paced and dynamic multi-disciplinary legal practice. We advise on:

• Critical commercial matters for government, including in the areas of procurement, infrastructure, ICT, property and construction, and support clients to manage performance issues and disputes with service providers; and
• A variety of contentious and non-contentious regulatory matters (including disputes, investigations, and advisory work) spanning employment and OHS matters, sensitive integrity body investigations, WorkSafe and other inquiries, and disputed or high-risk freedom of information (FOI) and privacy matters.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Admitted to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria.

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The successful candidate must possess a proven ability to independently lead matters with minimal supervision and provide sophisticated, authoritative and concise advice on complex legal issues arising in the operation of government in commercial and regulatory matters and projects.
This will include complex commercial and regulatory matters, including in relation to procurement, infrastructure, IT, construction, employment and OHS matters, integrity body investigations, inquiries, and FOI litigation and privacy matters.
There may also be opportunities for the candidate to work across the broader OGC team.
Applicants must be admitted to practice as a legal practitioner in Victoria. Candidates for this role will be required to have legal practice experience.

SOME OF YOUR DUTIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Providing solutions based legal advice, both written and oral, on issues relevant to government, Ministers, and the department, both individually and as part of a team of solicitors.
• Independently managing multiple complex and sensitive commercial and regulatory matters (both litigation and advisory) for various clients.
• Undertaking legal research and analysis on complex legal matters with outstanding commercial/regulatory and drafting skills.
  To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.

About You:As an ideal candidate, you will possess:

• Technical legal skills: The ability to analyse complex legal issues, interpret contracts and legislation and develop accurate legal solutions with minimal supervision.
• Commercial or regulatory experience: Experience providing legal advice at a senior level in relation to commercial transactions, projects and disputes and/or a wide range of regulatory matters (advisory, disputes and investigations) .
• Organisational understanding: Experience in, or knowledge of, Victorian Government and Cabinet processes.