Position Description
Corporate Counsel and Branch Manager, Legal Services Branch
DisabilityCare Australia
Classification:
Senior Executive Service Band 1
Reports to:
General Manager, Governance and Public Affairs
Direct Reports:
4
Agency size:
around 500 FTE at present
Location:
Canberra until July 2016. From July 2016 this position will be located in Geelong
Position Overview
As Corporate Counsel and Branch Manager, Legal Services branch, a critical part of your role is to lead and develop DisabilityCare
Australia’s (also referred to here as the Agency) legal practice. As the Agency’s chief lawyer, you will also be responsible for the quality,
relevance and timeliness of the services provided by the practice. You will be the client relationship manager for the Branch. You will be
enthusiastic about your clients, understand their business and strive for high levels of client satisfaction.
You will be responsible for advice on legislation, rules and operating guidelines including corporate and commercial legal matters. In
consultation with other managers across the Agency, you will lead, manage and report on the internal review process, the external
review process and the interface with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
You will be part of the Agency’s senior leadership team and ensure that the legal needs of the Agency and Board are met. This role will
provide you with the opportunity to further develop the legal practice to support the Agency in the achievement of its strategic and
operational objectives.
The successful candidate will require an ability to lead and teach others about client focus and service delivery. You will use the
available resources to develop the lawyers in the practice and build the tools they need to provide superior service. This includes
developing the technical legal skills and the client service culture of the practice. It is essential that candidates demonstrate their
willingness to adhere to the Australian Public Service (APS) Values.
You will bring to this significant task your extensive relevant legal experience, high order capacity building and superior communication
and analytical skills. You will be a strong manager and strategic thinker who engenders trust and respect and relishes the challenge of
operating in a complex environment. Your leadership and stakeholder management skills will be complemented by your sound
judgement, intellectual rigor, resilience and integrity.
DisabilityCare Australia welcomes and encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse
culture and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability.
Duties
The duties for the Corporate Counsel and Branch Manager, Legal Services branch include:
 Managing the Branch to ensure quality and reliable legal advice;
 Proactively manage the internal and external review mechanisms to build Agency capability to make well founded decisions
for participants in compliance with the legislation;
 Provide constructive feedback to the network on decision making trends and support continuous improvement;
 Work with the network to build capacity and participate in training;
 Co-ordinate operational guidelines and contribute to revisions to the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 and the
rules made under that Act in conjunction with State and Territory jurisdictions;
One big difference to lots of lives.
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Represent the Agency in high level discussions and negotiations with key stakeholders, including external organisations, and
work closely with the Agency’s Executive;
As part of the Group’s senior leadership team, work closely with the Agency’s Executive and contribute to strategic direction
setting; and
Promote workplace practices consistent with agency policy and in accordance with APS Values and leadership behaviours.
Personal Attributes
The Corporate Counsel and Branch Manager, Legal Services branch, will be a highly experienced leader and manager who has the
following attributes:
 demonstrated capacity to lead and manage a high performing function;
 the ability to deliver within budget in challenging circumstances;
 demonstrated ability to communicate and influence to deliver significant outcomes for the Scheme including people with
disability;
 extensive experience in change management;
 strong stakeholder interaction with the stakeholders on DisabilityCare Australia strategic directions;
 strong results orientation, resilience and a positive approach to risk mitigation;
 a proactive approach to professional and organisational development with the ability to engender enthusiasm and
professionalism in others;
 the ability to develop and maintain a culture that promotes innovation;
 keen intelligence, persuasiveness and influencing skills;
 astute judgement and political awareness;
 the ability to positively influence a work health and safety culture in the Agency; and
 the highest ethical standards.
Main Relationships
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DisabilityCare Australia Chief Executive Officer
DisabilityCare Australia Board and Advisory Council
People with disability, carers and their representative organisations
Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments and their Ministers
Policy area within Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs – currently represented by the National
Disability Insurance Scheme Taskforce
Other Commonwealth agencies
Disability support providers.
Remuneration
A total remuneration package (TRP) reflecting the importance of the position will be negotiated with the successful candidate. The TRP
comprises:
 Base salary
 Superannuation
 Motor vehicle allowance
 Official parking.
Other entitlements (in addition to TRP) include:
 Airline lounge membership
 Home office support
 Provisions for leave and relevant allowances (e.g. travel) etc.
 Relocation or accommodation assistance (if relevant).
Tenure
The successful candidate will be offered ongoing employment under the Public Service Act 1999.
One big difference to lots of lives.
Eligibility
This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance.
Qualifications
Admission or eligibility to be admitted as a Barrister, Solicitor or Legal Practitioner of an Australian Court is essential. In addition,
membership of relevant professional associations or institutes will be well regarded.
Selection Criteria
Achieve Results
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Builds organisational capability and responsiveness
Marshals professional expertise
Steers and implements change and deals with uncertainty
Ensures closure and delivers and intended results
Cultivates productive working relationships
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Nurtures internal and external relationships
Facilitates cooperation and partnerships
Values individual differences and diversity
Guides, mentors and develops people
Exemplifies personal drive and integrity
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Demonstrates Public Service professionalism and probity
Engages with risk and shows personal courage
Commits to action
Displays resilience
Demonstrates self awareness and a commitment to personal development
Communicates with influence
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Communicates clearly
Listens, understands and adapts to audience
Negotiates persuasively
Shapes strategic thinking
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Inspires a sense of purpose and direction
Focuses strategically
Harnesses information and opportunities
Shows judgement, Intelligence and common sense
Desirable criteria
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Experience working with people with disability or lived experience of disability.
One big difference to lots of lives.