Dubbo, NSW | Fixed Term

Primary purpose of the role 

The Managing Solicitor role will be part of Aboriginal Child & Family Advocacy & Support program. The Child and Family Advocacy and Support program aims to keep Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families safe and children out of the child protection system. This new holistic service will support Aboriginal families at risk of having their children removed and work to prevent them from ending up in the Children’s Court. The program will be supplemented by a Statewide Legal telephone advice service for child protection.

Why join the ALS NSW/ACT team?

At Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) we deliver quality and culturally appropriate legal and other support services that meet the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout NSW and the ACT. As part of the team, you will have the chance to make a difference and contribute to social justice and equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities. 

Our focus is our people; the people and communities we support, and the team we employ. We offer a career you can be proud of and a place where you feel safe to be yourself. We invest in our workforce and appreciate the rich diversity they represent of life experience, languages, and culture. 
 
Born out of a protest movement over 50 years ago, the ALS is the primary legal service for Aboriginal people in NSW and the ACT and is fearless in its advocacy for those we represent. It’s an exciting time for the ALS, with both our services and teams growing significantly. We recently received additional government funding to deliver a range of new programs aimed at addressing systemic issues and driving structural reforms. This is creating unprecedented opportunities for the ALS and our communities. 
 
For many of our staff making a real difference to the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, families and communities and working with a great, supportive team is its own reward.
 
In addition, we offer valuable benefits including: 

• Salary packaging options and novated car leasing – meaning your fortnightly take home pay is more than it would otherwise be
• Annual Leave Loading of 17.5%
• Career and professional development opportunities
• Access to personal counselling for you and your family
• A range of additional paid leave, paid parental and study leave 
•  Flexible work options – talk to us about how we can make this role work for you

The Role

The purpose of this role is to establish and manage legal services as part of the ALS Child and Family Advocacy and Support program (ACFAS). ACFAS is an exciting new program providing place-based services in Moree and Dubbo which are designed to provide holistic and client centred advocacy to help families avoid the care and protection system. This is an opportunity to contribute to systems change advocacy guided by the priorities and targets of the National Agreement for Closing the Gap. As Managing Solicitor you would be responsible for a team of lawyers as part of ACFAS that also provides state-wide advice and support

Key Responsibilities

• In conjunction with the Principal Solicitor and Program Manager, set up and develop child protection legal services that are culturally appropriate and meet the needs of the local Aboriginal communities. 
• Manage the legal services and resources within ACFAS.
• Manage the solicitors and paralegals within ACFAS, allocating and reviewing work and managing within scope of the program.
• Provide leadership and support to team members through regular and meaningful communication of ALS operating and strategic plans; operational needs; agree and set performance goals and development plans; monitor and support expected performance; manage leave and team resourcing
• Assist in organising and leading regular staff meetings. 
• Under the direction of the Principal Solicitor, conduct recruitment of staff and volunteers and manage their induction and probation. 
• Coordinate, research, prepare and provide representation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in child protection matters and issues.
• Oversee the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients before the child protection law system in courts.
• Provide legal advice in relation to child protection and other care and protection matters.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant child protection, care & protection/family law legislation, case law and court procedures.
• Support the Principal Solicitor in implementing policies, strategies and procedures to improve the provision of legal services to ACFAS clients. 
• Work together with the Principal Solicitor and other staff in the provision of the business’ overall legal services delivery.
• Perform other reasonable duties as directed. 
• Adhere to ALS’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies, work practices and rules. 
• Demonstrates a commitment to and behaviours that aligns to ALS Values and ALS Code of Conduct

About you

The successful incumbent will demonstrate

• Legal qualifications and a current Practicing Certificate issued by the Law Society of NSW
• Over 5 years’ experience in child protection, care and protection and/or family law
• Proven ability to manage the day-to-day activities of a small law practice in multiple locations, including staff supervision, work allocation, workload management, professional development and performance reviews.
• Demonstrated knowledge, experience and understanding of relevant children protection and care and protection legislation, case law and court proceedings. 
• Demonstrated ability to effectively represent and advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal, consultation, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated excellence in oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to meet deadlines, work without supervision and manage a diverse workload.
• Knowledge and appreciation of the cultural and social needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people combined with continuing respect and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices when considering service delivery and other support for clients, their families, communities and employees.
• The ability to travel intrastate for work purposes.

Desirable

• Identify and be recognised in the community as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person 

Pre-employment requirements:
 
The ALS is committed to implementing safer recruitment practices. Your application may be subject to a number of pre-employment checks such as reference checks, Working with Children (NSW) or Working with Vulnerable People (ACT) check, Right to work in Australia, COVID-19 vaccinations as per NSW/ACT Health Order and Police check.  Please note that candidates with criminal records are not automatically barred from being considered. Each application will be considered on its merits

How To Apply:

1. Please send your resume and Cover letter to [email protected]
2. If you have any enquiries or would like to discuss the role, please contact [email protected]