Deputy General Counsel

The key duties of the position include
The Role
Within the Legal function, an EL 2 Legal Deputy General Counsel works with considerable independence accountable to perform and achieve very complex legal work within an integrated workforce. They will require extensive knowledge of and compliance with legislative frameworks, government decision-making and Defence's mission and policies requirements.
An EL 2 Legal Deputy will exercise a significant degree of independence and perform an important leadership role. They will be responsible for influencing and developing strategies, policies, priorities and operational practices in support of Defence objectives based on high level decision making and judgement. They will provide strategic advice to senior management and stakeholders as well as leading and assuming accountability for very complex work, sensitive projects or work programs that have strategic, political or operational significance.
An EL 2 Legal Deputy is accountable to lead a work team or teams, plan and manage a range of human and physical resources and exercise the associated people and financial responsibilities. They will provide strategic direction to the work unit, including developing business plans, strategies and priorities and monitor work flow and performance. They are accountable for developing, coaching and reviewing individual, team and business performance, and will identify opportunities for building team capability and continuous improvement. They will set work aligned with strategic objectives and communicate expected outcomes.
An EL 2 Legal Deputy will have extensive knowledge relating to the methodology, systems and procedures within the legal function and have the ability to translate this into strategy. They will provide a strategic level of specialist, professional and technical expertise, potentially relating to the work of different function. They will initiate, establish and maintain strong relationships with a network of stakeholders internally and externally and will have the ability to recognise shared agendas and work toward mutually beneficial outcomes.
This position has people management responsibility and as such, you will be required to exercise your people management skills and knowledge to lead a high performing and cohesive team.
The additional payment is a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP) which enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the rate of salary otherwise payable under the Enterprise Agreement (EA) to some or all of the jobs within a critical occupation(s) or discipline within a workplace. Applicants engaged into a BDCP position must consider the following. BDCPs provide remuneration in addition to the Defence Enterprise Agreement (EA). This arrangement is subject to meeting eligibility criteria and is subject to annual review.
Should your performance fall beyond requirements or the eligibility criteria not be met, your eligibility for the BDCP may be reviewed and ceased. It may also be ceased should you change positions or the requirement for the BDCP is no longer necessary, as determined by Defence. Should the BDCP be ceased you will be advised and your BDCP additional payment will cease.
About our Team
Defence Legal is a culturally diverse and inclusive organisation. It is a critical enabler that provides legal services to the Department of Defence, including the Australian Defence Force. The legal services provided by Defence Legal cut across broad ranging issues that contribute to the capability of Defence achieving its mission to defend Australia and its national interests in order to advance Australia's security and prosperity. General Counsel - Dispute Resolution and Litigation (GC-DR&
L), within Defence Legal, provides strategic legal advice on all litigation and dispute resolution, on behalf of Defence. GC-DRL is an integrated team of APS lawyers, paralegals, contracted lawyers and administrative staff. The team works on significant litigation matters and regularly works to Court deadlines.
Some of the main streams of work in GC-DRL are:

• Managing claims against the Commonwealth including inquests, contractual disputes, commercial claims, personal injury claims, work health and safety matters (including prosecutions), judicial review challenges, debt recovery actions and compensation claims.
• Responding to court orders such as subpoenas and summonses, legislative requests and police requests and search warrants.
• Managing common law compensation claims relating to alleged historic abuse.
• Managing litigated and non-litigated claims relating to Defence's historic use of aqueous film forming foam containing per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Accountable for providing leadership and direction to ensure a high-level of integration and consistency across the Defence legal function.
• Accountable for managing and leading a team, including providing clear and consistent communication, setting clear performance and behavioural standards, managing performance, delegating responsibility and guiding and developing people.
• Accountable for managing allocated resources and workflows, setting work area priorities and timelines, and delivering business outcomes.
• Accountable for quality of work produced by the team and provide legal sign-off or clearance.
• Direct, perform and support legal activities and tasks, ensuring compliance with Defence governance requirements, on matters within their area of responsibility.
• Promote and develop strategic thinking in support of senior legal executives and whole of government outcomes.
• Identify and integrate strategic input in the development of policy and doctrine affecting the Defence organisation.
• Draw upon developed knowledge base to provide high-level representation and present at various internal and external forums.
• Communicate and influence in a clear, concise and articulate manner, both in writing and orally.
• Engage and work collaboratively with stakeholders and negotiate in a persuasive manner to achieve business outcomes.
• Assess opportunities for, and display a high-level of judgement in, the proactive resolution of issues.
• Analyse very complex issues, applying legal expertise to identify, design and propose solutions.
• Apply expertise in the preparation and review of legally related doctrine, documents, advice, briefs, correspondence and talking points, including matters of a sensitive nature.