EL2 General Counsel / Director Engagement, Commercial and Legal Geoscience Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Cultures, and to elders past and present. About us Geoscience Australia is Australia's pre-eminent public sector geoscience organisation. We are the nation's trusted advisor on the geology and geography of Australia. We apply science and technology to describe and understand the Earth for the benefit of Australia. Our culture Our strength lies in our people, including our diversity in backgrounds, skills and experiences, and the way we work together to respond to the emerging needs of our work. We value diversity in gender, backgrounds, culture, and experiences of our employees and are committed to providing an inclusive workplace culture that ensures everyone has equal opportunity to contribute, participate and progress. Applications from people who reflect this diversity are encouraged. Our workplace is committed to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees and offers a variety of flexible working arrangements to enhance flexibility, including remote working arrangements. What we can offer you When you work at Geoscience Australia you will have access to a range of benefits and the opportunity to experience a workplace culture that truly values and promotes diversity, inclusion, equity and belonging. Our team The Engagement, Commercial and Legal Section forms part of the Enabling Services Branch within Corporate Division. The section delivers a diverse range of functions covering legal, procurement and contract management, non-procurement commercial arrangements and land, air and marine access for Geoscience Australia's field and program activities. The role The General Counsel/Director Engagement, Commercial and Legal leads a multidisciplinary team to ensure Geoscience Australia has appropriate frameworks in place to manage its legal, procurement, and commercial risks and meet best practice in obtaining access to land, air and marine areas. The role reports to the General Manager, Enabling Services and is part of Corporate Division's senior leadership. In this role you will: Provide advice across the section's functions, including expert and pragmatic legal advice on all areas of law with an emphasis on commercial law. Identify trends in legal issues and proactively reduce future legal risk, including by developing guidance, templates and training. Work with a high level of autonomy under broad direction with a concurrent need to resolve challenges and deliver quality outcomes. Establish and maintain key strategic internal and external relationships, and engage and manage stakeholders through change, resolving conflict and managing sensitivities. Provide leadership to implement and promote a culture of change and continuous improvement of the section's services, practices, policies and systems. Develop, coach and mentor employees, manage performance, resolve conflicts, and identify training needs. Represent the organisation to facilitate or negotiate agreements and resolve issues as appropriate. Oversee the engagement and management of external legal advice where appropriate and liaise with the Office of Legal Services Coordination and other legal practitioners across the Commonwealth. To be successful in the role you: Apply your experience and knowledge to develop strategies to prioritise and plan to support the delivery of organisational objectives. Proactively manage risk, challenge important issues constructively and respond flexibly to changing demands to achieve outcomes and encourage others to do the same. Communicate clearly and concisely, translate complex information, and tailor your style and message to suit a range of different audiences and encourage the support of relevant stakeholders. Work collaboratively across Corporate Division and the organisation, recognising shared agendas, and finding opportunities to share information and foster teamwork to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes. Set direction, lead the section and your own work priorities to ensure the provision of timely and accurate advice. Embrace the positive benefits of diverse views, value expertise and play a role in coaching, guiding and developing employees. Adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and consistently behave in an honest, ethical and professional way. Required skills, knowledge, experience and/or qualifications To be eligible for this role you will: Be admitted as a lawyer, legal practitioner, barrister, solicitor or barrister and solicitor of the High Court or Supreme Court of an Australian state or territory. Be eligible to hold and maintain an unrestricted Government practising certificate in the Australian Capital Territory. Be an Australian Citizen at the closing date of application. Be able to obtain, hold and maintain a NV1 security clearance. You will have skills and experience in at least two of the following areas: General commercial law. Procurement (from either a legal or procurement practitioner perspective). Probity. Public law especially statutory interpretation and administrative law advice. Policy or legislative development. Commencement of employment is subject to the successful applicant undergoing and satisfying pre-employment screening, which includes a police history check. To Apply Please visit the careers page of our website to submit your application via our e-Recruit system. Your application should include: Your resume (no more than 3 pages). A brief statement (no more than 700 words) outlining your transferable skills, experience and capabilities related to the role and the value you would bring to Geoscience Australia. If you have any questions regarding the role, please contact Erika Taduran on (02) 6249 9965 or email #J-18808-Ljbffr