Job Reference: req33617_1715046971

Office of the Children's Guardian

Manager General Counsel

• Exciting opportunity to make a real impact in shaping the future of the Office of the Children's Guardian.
• Supportive and collaborative team culture, committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• One full-time, ongoing role opportunity located at Strawberry Hills.
• Flexible working arrangements with access to learning & development opportunities and health & wellbeing programs.
• Clerk Grade 11/12 - 35 hours per week - $139,787 - $161,663 per annum (plus employer's contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading).

About the Office of Children's Guardian

The Office of the Children's Guardian (OCG) upholds NSW children and young people's right to be safe by overseeing, regulating and monitoring organisations and individuals that provide services to children. We are guided by our values of integrity, trust, service, accountability, respect and empathy.

To find out more about the Office of the Children's Guardian, visit our website.

About the role

The Manager, General Counsel provides high quality legal co-ordination, support and accurate advice. The Manager General Counsel is a quality assurance role to the Children's Guardian and the Minister on the legal implications of a range of complex and sensitive matters relating to the functions of the Children's Guardian.

We are seeking a motivated and resilient person to:

• Provide and coordinate the provision of soundly based formal legal advice and opinions and critically analysing complex legal matters with the capacity to show judgement and provide independent, timely and strategic advice in relation to a broad range of legal issues relating to the regulatory responsibilities of the Children's Guardian.
• Building capability about legal concepts across the agency with a focus on privacy.
• Liaising with the Crown Solicitor to manage NCAT matters and provide instructions in a timely and ethical manner.

Key knowledge and experience

• Significant experience in building and maintaining constructive working relationships with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in statutory interpretation to provide legal advice regarding complex issues.
• Demonstrated ability in regulatory support and strategic legal advice for matters leading to and involved in litigation.

Essential Requirements

• Relevant qualifications in Law, and current practicing certificate.
• All roles associated with the Office of the Children's Guardian are required to have a current Working with Children Check.
• Employment at the Office of the Children's Guardian is subject to the satisfactory completion of security and vetting checks.

For a copy of the role description, please contact the OCG People and Culture team via OCG.HR@ocg.nsw.gov.au and outline the role you are applying for.

Our commitment to Diversity

We welcome and encourage applications from people across our diverse community, especially from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. We believe everyone has the right to feel safe, respected, valued and heard regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity or disability.

The OCG encourages applications from people with disability and will provide reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.

If you require an adjustment in the recruitment process, please contact the OCG People and Culture team on (02) 8219 3661 or OCG.HR@ocg.nsw.gov.au and advise of your preferred method of communication.

How to apply

When applying you will need to attach a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) which also addresses the two targeted questions below and an up-to-date resume (maximum 4 pages) in either Word or PDF format.

We are looking for you to demonstrate your competence in the focus capabilities as outlined in the role description, so please develop your response with this in mind.

Targeted questions

1. What elements do you see as important in the supervision and management of lawyers who provide complex legal advice and services to a regulating body? Give an example of how you have applied these elements.
2. Outline an initiative you have led that has resulted in improved efficiency of a team you worked with or directly managed. Did you encounter barriers and if so, how did you overcome these. What was the outcome and what lessons did you learn?

Note: the selection process will include a range of assessment techniques to assist in determining your suitability for the role.

We encourage you to please email our contact Sharminie Niles via sharminie.niles@ocg.nsw.gov.au to discuss the role.

Applications closing date: Tuesday, 21 May 2024 at 10:00am.

A talent pool may be created through this recruitment process. A talent pool is a group of applicants who have been assessed and identified as suitable for this role, and who may be considered for a range of similar roles, including temporary, term or ongoing roles, over the next 18 months.