Organisation : Justice Connect
Location : Melbourne
Work type : Full-time
Sector : Law, Justice & Human Rights
Salary type : Annual Package
Application closing date : 9 Apr, 2019
About the organisation
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join one of Australia’s most successful public interest and social justice organisations. Justice Connect is a not-for-profit organisation with a vision of a fair and strong community in which people have a fair chance at a better life, the community sector is strong and vibrant and the legal/justice and non-legal social systems are fairer and better.
At Justice Connect, we believe everyone deserves a fair chance at a better life. That’s why we use the law to help people and community groups left behind by an unfair and complicated legal system. Whether it’s a single mother facing homelessness, a local community group struggling with overwhelming regulation or an older person dealing with family violence, real-life problems so often have legal solutions. That’s why we connect people with legal help. We use the power of the law to open up the legal system for those locked out of it, and to change the system where it is broken.
The key to our impact is the passionate commitment of our people. We hold ourselves to the highest standards, driven by a desire to deliver real improvements in the lives of the people and communities we help.
About the role
We are currently seeking a Lawyer to help maximise the impact of Justice Connect as we tackle human rights issues and gaps in access to justice. The Public Interest Law team links people needing help and pro bono lawyers and barristers. It operates across diverse areas of law and plays a critical role both in understanding unmet legal need in Australia, and in designing effective initiatives to respond to the identified gaps. This team coordinates free legal assistance for individuals through the Members’ Referral Program, the Law Institute of Victoria Legal Assistance Scheme (LIVLAS) and the Victorian Bar Pro Bono Scheme (VBPBS).
The successful candidate will support the Head of Pro Bono Partnerships, Manager of Public Interest Law, and the Public Interest Law team. The role supports the effective and efficient operation of the Public Interest Law program and delivery of pro bono services to people experiencing disadvantage through facilitating referrals to Justice Connect member firms and barristers, and establishing referral pathways from help-seekers.
If you are admitted to legal practice in Victoria, have knowledge of the legal issues facing marginalised and disadvantaged clients, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and a desire to make a difference for human rights and social justice we look forward to hearing from you. The position is based in the Melbourne office of Justice Connect.
We welcome and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Key responsibilities:
- Support the development and delivery of the Public Interest Law team strategy of reaching out to meet legal need and partnering with others to facilitate access to legal help across New South Wales and Victoria.
- Identify opportunities to partner with other stakeholders to respond to unmet legal need.
- Undertake and support casework including assessing requests for assistance and facilitating access to legal help provided by law firms and barristers.
- Coordinate the Public Interest Law response to refugee rights issues, including engaging with stakeholders and developing referral pathways to assist people with judicial review of claims for asylum.
- Participate in and coordinate training programs and sessions for the legal profession and other stakeholders in relevant areas of law.
- Undertake legal research and analysis around relevant issues and coordinate law reform and advocacy activities.
- Actively participate in the promotion of the Public Interest Law team’s activities, including contributing to internal and external publications and representing Justice Connect in a range of public forums.
- Assist with governance, reporting and evaluation requirements, including reports for the Justice Connect Board.
- Assist in the recruitment, training and supervision of Practical Legal Training students.
- Undertake professional development activities to improve legal knowledge and non-legal skills.
- Perform other duties as directed and necessary to the proper performance of the role.
Selection Criteria:
Qualification
- Admitted as a legal practitioner and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate
Experience
- Two years or more post admission experience in relevant areas of law, or experience in a related field
- Demonstrated experience providing legal advice to people experiencing disadvantage
- Demonstrated experience identifying and responding to unmet legal need
- Demonstrated experience developing project plans and reporting against objectives
- Demonstrated experience providing advice in relation to immigration or asylum claims (highly desirable)
Knowledge, skills & attributes
- Knowledge of the legal issues facing people experiencing disadvantage
- High levels of communication and negotiation skills with a demonstrated ability to use those skills to build relationships with diverse stakeholders and clients
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to give accurate and practical legal information
- Demonstrated ability to work autonomously as well as collaboratively in a team environment
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate professionally with a range of stakeholders, including engaging with people experiencing disadvantage
- Sound computer skills within a legal practice environment
- Creative and curious with good judgement
- Agile and comfortable during change
- Strong attention to detail and outcomes-focussed, with ability to stay focussed and calm under pressure, and to appropriately prioritise competing demands
- A commitment to Justice Connect’s objectives and values
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this job listing.
Please quote in application: Lawyer, Public Interest Law via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #Law_Justice_and_Human_Rights
