Deputy General Counsel

Deputy General Counsel (Coordinator) - Executive LevelThe mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia.
It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.
Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career.
Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia.
We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:
Five weeks of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down18 days of paid personal leave per yearGenerous superannuation of 15.4%16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without payFlexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balanceHealth & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention.Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunitiesWhat is the role? The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is seeking a dynamic, motivated, highly experienced and suitably qualified senior lawyer with significant experience in (at least two of) the areas of law outlined below to join the AFP Legal team as Deputy General Counsel (Coordinator) of our Commercial, Governance and Information Law teams.
AFP Legal is the AFP's in-house legal practice delivering high quality legal services across the broad spectrum of AFP activities both domestically and overseas.
AFP lawyers work in an exciting and intellectually challenging environment, providing legal advice in the areas of commercial law, criminal law, information law, national security law, dispute resolution, administrative law and employment law.
Reporting directly to the General Counsel Corporate, the Coordinator Commercial, Governance and Information Law (CGI) will provide high level leadership to the AFP Commercial and Governance team, the Privacy team and the Freedom of Information team.
The Coordinator CGI will work in partnership with the Legal Management team, AFP senior executives and external stakeholders to provide high level legal advice to achieve AFP outcomes.
You will work under the strategic direction of the senior executive and are responsible for the leadership and management of a number of teams to deliver outcomes.
You will be required to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the AFP business and the impact of roles and functions undertaken in AFP Legal in relation to the organisation's reputation to effectively manage operations.
You will also be responsible for leading and managing a team dedicated to delivering a business function to the AFP.
The role has both a practical and strategic focus requiring the application of sound business principles in the management of resources to meet AFP outputs in the most effective and efficient manner.
Executive Level employees must also ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments.
What will you do? The Successful Executive Level employee will be responsible for:
Providing high level technical and strategic legal advice required by the AFP in relation to:complex commercial law matters, including advising on procurement, tendering, contract drafting and negotiation, contract management, property and construction, intellectual property law and commercial disputes.managing and facilitating freedom of information applications, determination of FOI requests, managing internal and external reviews of FOI decisions, liaising with the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and assisting in complaints and/or investigations.responsibility for the AFP compliance with privacy and data integrity obligations under the Privacy Act, including privacy impact assessments, privacy complaints, and data breaches.governance matters, and drafting of governance instruments including Commissioner's Orders, National Guidelines, Better Practice Guides, authorisations and delegations.Representing the AFP in complex negotiations and meetings with other parties or their legal representatives in relation to commercial matters involving the AFP.Building and maintaining stakeholder relationships within the AFP and externally, including with external legal service providers.Providing briefings to the AFP senior executive on relevant commercial, governance, privacy and FOI matters, and coordinating the provision of training on procurement, contract management, administrative decision making and privacy to the broader AFP as required.Providing high quality leadership and supervision to a team of commercial, governance, privacy and FOI lawyers, and FOI practitioners within AFP Legal including: leading and managing the teams, providing guidance and supervision on all matters and coordinating and supervising the delivery of high quality legal advice and services by these teams and external legal service providers.Running three professional, efficient and high performing in-house legal teams and ensuring best-practice file and practice management principles are employed.The successful candidate must have:
You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.A security clearance at the Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) level (or the ability to obtain and maintain such a clearance).Tertiary qualifications in Law and contemporary, relevant, commercial, privacy, FOI and governance related legal knowledge and expertise.A practising certificate as an Australian Legal Practitioner (or the ability to obtain a practising certificate).A strong understanding of Commonwealth legal obligations.Significant experience in leading and managing a diverse team of legal practitioners.High quality practice management skills.Additional Information This position is an AFP EL level.This position has been advertised in multiple locations; however, the role is located in Canberra, ACT.
Successful applicants must be willing to relocate to Canberra.Proof of a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made.Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger.
As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 09/12/2024
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is Australia's national policing agency, protecting Australians and Australia's interests.
We work with Australian and international agencies and organisations to combat terrorism, counter child exploitation, tackle transnational and organised crime, combat cybercrime and counter fraud and corruption.
With the AFP you can experience a career that is challenging and rewarding.
The AFP gives you a lifetime of opportunities with over 200 different types of roles and locations across Australia and the world.
Whether it's behind a desk, on the road, out in the community or overseas, the AFP can take you where you want to be.
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