Organisation : Justice Connect
Work type : Contract/Temporary
Sector : Law, Justice & Human Rights
Salary type : Annual Package
Application closing date : 1 Feb, 2021
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 legal and 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
Not-for-profit Law is Justice Connect’s specialist legal service for not-for-profit community organisations – it is the only service of its kind in Australia. Not-for-profit Law provides free legal assistance (advice, training, resources and self-help tools) to community groups in Victoria, New South Wales, and increasingly across Australia. We also advocate for better laws for the sector. By ‘helping the helpers’, Not-for-profit Law supports organisations to focus their time and energy on achieving their mission – whether that’s supporting vulnerable people, delivering community services, celebrating diversity or looking after the environment. See www.nfplaw.org.au.
Role purpose:
The Lawyer plays a vital role in delivering a range of legal services to community organisations as a part of the Not-for-profit Law team. Key focus areas of this role are the delivery of practical training and plain language legal advice to volunteer-involving community organisations.
Key responsibilities:
- Develop and deliver legal training (face-to-face and via technology) for not-for-profit organisations on a range of legal and governance topics (including travelling interstate and/or to regional areas as required, subject to COVID-19 restrictions) as well as professional development events for lawyers in relevant areas of law.
- In collaboration with the Not-for-profit Law Manager of Training and Enterprise and the Senior Lawyer – Training, project manage entrepreneurial initiatives such as new and innovative service offerings, and customer acquisition and engagement plans.
- Provide legal advice services to not-for-profit organisations including:
- triaging of enquiries from not-for-profit organisations (including assessment of matters eligible for pro bono assistance)
- provision of legal advice and information to eligible community organisations
- facilitation of referrals to Justice Connect members and barristers
- Work with not-for-profit clients on a project basis to review and develop policy documents and legal resources and provide other legal services.
- Contribute to the development and revision of plain language resources and self-help tools for community organisations, such as fact sheets, guides and online applications.
- Escalate risk and legal practice management issues to the Principal Lawyer or Manager.
- Undertake legal research and analysis around relevant policy and law reform issues affecting the not-for-profit/for-purpose sector and provide input into advocacy activities.
- Participate in the promotion of Not-for-profit Law’s services, including contributing to internal and external publications and representing Not-for-profit Law and Justice Connect more broadly in a range of public forums.
- Assist in the induction, training and supervision of students and volunteers
- As part of the Justice Connect team, develop and maintain collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and partners, in particular, existing support networks for not-for-profits, Justice Connect member law firms, regulators and funders.
- Assist with governance, reporting and evaluation requirements, including reports for the Justice Connect Board and funder acquittals.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of Not-for-profit Law as a unique, specialist legal service for the community sector across Australia.
- Contribute to Justice Connect’s Reconciliation Action Plan activities.
- Contribute to program and organisation-wide projects.
Selection criteria:
- Please view attached PDF for information regarding the selection criteria.
Employee benefits:
Justice Connect offers employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), flexible working arrangements, above award annual leave provisions and opportunities for professional development. Justice Connect is an organisation that strives to show leadership, operate sustainably and demonstrate our effectiveness. You will be rewarded with a workplace culture that is professional, committed, collaborative and creative and where you can make a real difference through your work.
How to apply
Applications not allowed for this job listing.
Please quote in application: Lawyer, Not-for-profit Law via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #Law_Justice_and_Human_Rights
