To obtain a copy of the Candidate Information Kit for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply Now’ button to the left of this advertisement.

The key duties of the position include:

Employment Opportunity

The Office of International Law (OIL) is responsible for supporting the Attorney-General as First Law Officer, through the provision of legal advice on Australia's international legal obligations to the Attorney-General, Cabinet and Government entities. OIL is also responsible for the conduct of all international dispute settlement (with the exception of World Trade Organization disputes). OIL seeks to fill EL2 vacancies across multiple practice areas.

The Rights, Regulatory, Air and Space Law (RRASL) practice group advises on international human rights and refugee law, air law, space law and certain other regulatory areas of general international law. Additionally, RRASL manages the Government's response to individual human rights communications, as well as proceedings against Russia in relation to the downing of Flight MH17 and the legal action against Afghanistan under the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

The Oceans, Environment, Climate, Antarctic and Nuclear Law (OCEAN) practice group advises on the law of the sea, international environmental law, climate change, Antarctic law and nuclear law, including supporting Australia's development of nuclear-powered submarine capability under the AUKUS partnership. In addition, OCEAN administers key legislation relating to Australia's maritime zones, as well as shipping and admiralty laws.

We welcome applications from lawyers with skills and experience in government legal practice and/or public international law, including human rights and refugee law, international criminal law, the law of armed conflict and the use of force, cyber and intelligence law, oceans and environment law, nuclear law, diplomatic law and the law of international organisations and air and space law.

How you can help us make a difference

We seek people who bring new ideas, diverse experience, and global perspectives. People who work with us will display leadership at all levels, apply information effectively to solve problems, and work collaboratively to achieve outcomes.

The role of a Principal Legal Officer (PLO) in OIL performs an important leadership role. PLOs are required to undertake work with a high level of complexity and exercise a significant degree of independence. They lead practice groups managing a broad range of issues, and are required to provide strategy, support, and oversight to ensure the provision of high-quality legal advice.

As a Principal Legal Officer in OIL, you will:

• lead practice groups and litigation teams of 10 - 15 legal officers
• lead on the provision of specialised legal advice on matters of international law 
• support senior leadership in the implementation of organisational strategy and governance across the Office
• develop legal advising capacity amongst staff and building high performing teams
• manage diverse stakeholder relationships across government interests in international organisations
• supervise junior staff 

For these positions, applicants must hold a degree in law from an Australian tertiary institution or comparable overseas qualification, which, in the opinion of the Secretary, is appropriate to the duties of the office, and be admitted in Australia as a legal practitioner (or be eligible to be admitted).

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment at the Attorney-General’s Department applicants must be Australian citizens. 

Applicants offered employment will be required to successfully undergo a police record check and be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance at a specified clearance level. The successful applicant must be willing to disclose all relevant and required information.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Notes

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created from this process, and will be active for 18 months after the date of this gazettal.

If you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require any reasonable adjustments, please speak contact HR Assist at *********@ag.gov.au or 02 6141 6*** (option 2).

The department is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion and sexual orientation to apply and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

First Nations people can contact us to discuss options for working from Country.

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