Central Land Council JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION TITLE Leasing Coordinator POSITION NUMBER LE009 CLASSIFICATION LEVEL SOG - A POSITION LOCATION Legal CLC Head Office 27 Stuart Highway, Alice Springs RESPONSIBLE TO Manager, Legal Services Last reviewed: February 2012 KEY FUNCTION The Leasing Coordinator is the CLC position that coordinates, leads and develops responses to leasing related issues that have arisen since the Northern Territory and Australian Government committed themselves to the ‘secure tenure’ (formalisation of land interests on Aboriginal land) policy and undertook to promote leasing for fair rent on Aboriginal land. The position ensures that the CLC is able to manage the additional leasing requirements in a professional and strategic manner that maximises benefits for Aboriginal landowners and residents and is efficient in terms of CLC resources. The position will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the CLC’s work associated with securing s.19 leasing arrangements for infrastructure and housing in remote communities within the CLC region. Additionally the position will advise the CLC on all policy, legal and other issues that impact on the CLC’s ability to continue to process s.19 leasing on Aboriginal land. This will involve, amongst other things, ensuring that the CLC is able to adequately report on its leasing workload and its progress in processing leases on Aboriginal land. MAIN DUTIES Housing head leases: 1. Negotiate with NT and Australian Government agencies on issues associated with infrastructure and block housing leasing arrangements, including a timetable for the roll-out of new infrastructure and housing leases, and coordinate the CLC s work program in response to this roll-out. 2. Develop an agreed CLC standard form lease for infrastructure and block housing, and coordinate negotiations with government agencies with respect to these standard form leases. 3. Undertake community and traditional owner consultations for the initial housing head lease process, and coordinate consultations for other leasing arrangements. Whole of community leasing (Township leasing): 4. Undertake community and traditional owner consultations for any further Australian Government applications for s19A leases. Roll-out of government leasing: 5. Negotiate with the NT, Australian Government and the Shires to ensure that template leases are secured and a leasing consultation program is agreed that enables leases to be applied for in relation to the land on which government assets are situated. 6. Assist to train, mentor, advise and co-ordinate CLC’s regional lawyers, enabling them to conduct government leasing consultations in communities. Five-year leases: 7. Negotiate with the Australian Government to ensure that ‘fair’ rent is paid in relation to the five-year lease rent (and any additional payment required to comprise just terms compensation) and to ensure that payments are made expeditiously. Organisational changes within CLC to facilitate leasing: 8. Work with Managers to ensure the CLC is able to undertake lease application consultations in an efficient and proactive manner, including advising on systemic changes that are needed to facilitate the leasing workload. 9. Progress and oversee the development of a leasing database. Accountability – leasing reporting: 10. Ensure that all reporting to the Minister (Annual Report and Trimester Reports), the CLC, and to Managers, in regard to leasing matters, is completed in a professional and timely manner. Leasing strategic direction: 11. Provide legal and policy advice on the legislation associated with the Northern Territory Intervention, as requested. 12. Work closely with the CLC Executive and Council to ensure that relevant policy and legal matters are discussed and resolved as required. 13. Liaise, and where appropriate, negotiate collectively with the Northern Land Council to ensure that leasing outcomes for traditional owners are equitable across the Northern Territory. 14. Develop a project to ensure an effective and expeditious distribution of diverse leasing incomes in major communities. 15. Lead negotiations with the Northern Territory Government and, if necessary, Australian Government to ensure the effective reform of legislation that limits leasing on community living areas. 16. Liaise with the Northern Territory Government regarding its project to bring major Aboriginal communities within the NT Planning Scheme and develop systems within the CLC to ensure that the communities being brought within the Planning Scheme and the CLC are prepared for development applications and other flow on effects. Management responsibilities: 17. Engage and manage consultants employed to assist with the leasing workload. 18. Manage staff employed on a fixed term or casual basis to meet the leasing workload. 19. Oversee the leasing workload of all regional lawyers with respect to their leasing workload and in particular. 20. Other duties that are safe, legal and logical while being within the limits of the employee’s skill, competence and training, consistent with the classification structure. MONITORING AND COMPLIANCE DUTIES o Legal Practitioners Act and Regulations o Law of the Land. WORKING RELATIONSHIPS Responsible to the Manager, Legal Section. Works closely with regional lawyers, and the Policy Unit. SELECTION CRITERIA LE009 ESSENTIAL 1. Qualified to be admitted as a legal practitioner in the Northern Territory; 2. Capacity to provide high quality legal representation and advice to traditional Aboriginal owners on relevant legal matters; 3. Well developed negotiation skills particularly in relation to matters associated with the commercial leasing and other access to Aboriginal land; 4. Experience in providing legal and policy advice including advice including strategic advice on legislative reforms; 5. Experience negotiating with governments in relation to commercial leasing and compensation issues; 6. Experience managing consultants and staff; 7. Ability to work under pressure with limited supervision and have an adaptable and flexible attitude and approaches to work; 8. Highly developed written and oral communication skills; 9. Highly developed conflict management skills or mediation skills; 10. Preparedness to travel to and work in remote areas; 11. A well-developed understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal people living in remote localities; 12. Current drivers licence (manual). DESIRABLE 13. Experience working with Aboriginal organisations and/or issues; 14. Experience in commercial legal matters; 15. Knowledge of legislation relevant to traditional Aboriginal owners and native title holders in the Northern Territory; 16. An understanding or experience of in dealing with Indigenous economic development issues; 17. Ability to communicate with Aboriginal people and to advise and seek instructions in a culturally appropriate way; 18. Ability to work effectively and efficiently as part of a multi-disciplined team of professional and nonprofessional staff. Approved Copy Signed: ....................................................................... Date.…../……../….. (General Manager)