Senior Legal Officer

General Counsel Branch, within the Legal, Compliance and Strategy Division, is a specialist in-house legal practice that supports ASD’s mission by advising on the management of legal risk. It is a dynamic and collegiate branch with a strong focus on delivering quality, timely legal advice and developing staff in a positive team environment.

An EL1 Senior Legal Officer (SLO) in the General Counsel Branch works under broad direction to deliver complex and sensitive legal advice to support projects that have strategic and operational significance in an increasingly complex and changing national security environment. Work spans cyber security; international, military, operational and national security law; and administrative, commercial, contract, and employment law.

A SLO uses sound decision-making and judgement to provide expert legal advice, and requires an extensive understanding of legislative frameworks, government decision making, and ASD’s mission and policy requirements.

Reporting to, and supporting, a Deputy General Counsel, a SLO will perform an important leadership role, supervising and mentoring junior lawyers, and are accountable for managing resources to achieve team outcomes. They build team capability through coaching and the provision of honest, constructive feedback.

An SLO is responsible for actively managing key stakeholder relationships and is required to identify stakeholders’ expectations and concerns to develop and communicate methodologies to achieve outcomes.

Further information can be found at: I’m changing my career | Australian Signals Directorate (asd.gov.au)

ASD is seeking applicants to fill current and anticipated vacancies and to create a merit pool for future vacancies. In line with the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Direction 2022, upon completion of the recruitment activity, the merit pool will be available to locations across Australia.

Our Ideal Candidate

To be successful in this role, you will be an experienced, motivated, collaborative and high-performing candidate.

We are looking for lawyers who are interested in:

• High-profile projects of national importance, advising on intelligence, cyber security and offensive cyber operations.
• Diverse work unique to ASD’s mission. You will consider novel and unique issues as you advise on new capabilities and technologies, developing highly sought after skills and experience.
• Leading and developing a small legal team.
• Learning and development, both formal and on the job.
• Competitive conditions including flexible work arrangements.
• Autonomy and client contact.
• A passionate and friendly workplace.
• A collegiate legal practice that promotes excellence.

Mandatory Qualifications

An EL1 Senior Legal Officer must:

• Hold a relevant degree in law (or equivalent qualification).
• Hold a graduate diploma in legal practice (or equivalent).
• Be admitted as a lawyer, legal practitioner, barrister, solicitor or barrister and solicitor of the High Court or Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory.
• Be eligible to hold and maintain a practicing certificate in the jurisdiction in which you practice.
• Have at least 5 years post admission legal experience or have substantial contemporary and relevant knowledge and experience in relevant areas of law, including knowledge of the Commonwealth legal environment (for example, in legal policy).
• Have experience in one of the following areas, whether in government or private practice:
• Cyber security, international, military, operational or national security law.
• Commercial, contract, administrative, employment law or dispute resolution.