Currently, there are around 4.3 million Australians with a disability. The National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) implements the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which is one of the biggest social reforms in the country since Medicare. As an Agency, we support more than 600,000 participants with a significant and permanent disability, and the families and carers of those living with disability. For many Australians, this will be the first time they receive the disability support they need. The NDIA is designed to enhance the quality of life and increase economic and social participation for people with disability and will mean a peace of mind for every Australian.A new role awaitsThe Legislation & Legal Policy (L&LP) branch in the Chief Counsel Division is a growing in-house legal practice servicing the NDIA with legal advice and litigation support services.The L&LP branch provides legal advice, support and services to the Agency by understanding the Scheme, key legislation and policy, ongoing legislative reform initiatives and fraud prevention strategies to support and enable positive outcomes for the Scheme and its participants.The L&LP branch has three teams: General Advice and Legislation (GAL), Legislation Policy (LP) and Fraud Advisory (FA). The L&LP branch is a key contributor to the Agency’s legal services function in providing oversight as well as practical and solution-focused advice across a broad spectrum of matters to support various Agency business areas.The GAL and LP teams specialise in advising on the NDIS legislative framework by:Providing legal advice to Agency policy teams on the interpretation and application of the NDIS Act and Rules to inform the development of the Agency’s policies and processes.Supporting the Agency to implement its significant reform agenda.Providing general advice to service delivery, service design, policy, and other operational areas on all aspects of NDIS Act and Rules application, including the Specialist Disability Accommodation framework, and compensation framework.Advising on a range of complex legal issues involving statutory interpretation and administrative law, including working closely with colleagues in the Fraud Advisory and Legal Policy teams on compliance related issues.Working closely with colleagues in other legal branches to ensure consistency in legal position and strategic legal issues before the Administrative Review Tribunal and Federal Court (judicial review) matters.Escalating significant legal risks and issues.Assisting the Agency to understand and develop matters for progression of legislative reform with the Department of Social Services.With the branch expansion, we are seeking like-minded lawyers with the aim of assisting the Agency to adhere to lawful and ethical conduct to support scheme sustainability and maintaining a participant centric focus in all NDIS operations of the Scheme.The Division and branch are committed to the highest levels of integrity and leadership to ensure the Agency complies with the Legal Services Directions’ Model Litigant Obligations.We are currently looking to fill several new EL1 level Lawyer roles to support the GAL and LP teams. These roles provide the opportunity to bring your knowledge of the NDIS Act, as well as your skills in leadership and mentoring staff to help grow an in-house participant centred legal service at the NDIA.Some roles provide an opportunity to be involved in legislative reform related matters and will focus on the provision of timely and practical legal advice to support the timelines dictated by the Department of Social Services and the Australian Parliamentary sitting schedule. The remaining roles provide the opportunity to use and develop further legislative interpretation, policy development and administrative decision-making skills.This is a growing team adapting to the ever-changing demands of legislative reform and its implications on the practices and protocol of the NDIS.Where you can add valueAs a member of this dynamic branch, you will be a leader among leaders. You will have responsibility to resolve issues and risks across wide-ranging activities of substantial depth involving significant detail.The Executive Level 1 Lawyer (Legal Stream) for the GAL and LP teams will have responsibility for resolving issues and managing risks across a range of legal matters. The role works with peers and the Chief Counsel and Deputy Chief Counsel to support and achieve the strategic direction of the Division and branch. The role will be required to coordinate and assume responsibility for provision of high-quality legal advice, support and services in relation to statutory interpretation and administrative decision-making.You will have a level of autonomy to manage your own matters and support the day-to-day operations of the team. You will also be responsible for actively managing key internal and external stakeholder relationships.Responsibilities of these roles include, but are not limited to:Providing high quality, solutions orientated, legal advice, and support and services to internal clients in the management and resolution of complex legal issues.Providing support and/or leading a team of lawyers, including oversight of all legal aspects of statutory interpretation, workflow prioritisation and supervising and mentoring junior staff.Establishing and maintaining excellent working relationships with clients and other stakeholders including people with disability and their representatives, courts and tribunals, other government agencies and legal professionals.Managing the priorities of clients and available resources to deliver results on time and within budget.Managing transactional work of a legal nature, including administrative processes incidental to the provision of associated legal services.Advising on the operation of legislation, instruments, guidelines and policies in the context of the NDIS; prior knowledge of the practices and procedure of the Agency are desirable but not essential.Advising on drafting instructions and assisting in preparation of legislative and other instruments, in the context of the NDIS legislative reform agenda.Supporting work in a business partnering capacity within the NDIA, regularly meeting with various branches and identifying and advising on relevant legal and associated risks, including delivering capacity development and legal training on a particular area of law or specialisation.Leading projects or assuming a ‘champion’ role to inform on precedents, protocols and intranet/internet content development.Managing, supporting and contributing to business improvement activities, including legal education and the development of systems, processes and practical tools.Having a sound understanding of the operation of legislation, instruments, guidelines, and policies.Developing and delivering priority reforms flowing from the Independent NDIS Review report.Contributing to upcoming legislative and regulatory reforms.Providing strategic legal policy advice to the business and Senior Executives on key issues and priorities within the NDIA.Enough about us, let’s talk about youThe successful candidate will possess excellent technical legal skills and demonstrated experience in leading legal teams to deliver high value outcomes for the Agency. You will demonstrate experience in, or knowledge of, some or all of the following:Administrative law and principles of good administrative decision-making.Statutory interpretation particularly in relation to the NDIS Act and National Disability Insurance Scheme (Supports for Participants) Rules 2013.Experience in drafting complex written legal advice, involving statutory interpretation.You will have a human-centred approach and the ability to thrive in a high-volume work environment.You will be passionate about growing the skills and capabilities of your colleagues, as well as being effective at stakeholder management with the ability to build mutually beneficial relationships.You will act inclusively, and with integrity, empathy, and respect when working with the team, participants and prospective participants, as well as external stakeholders.This position is within the legal job stream and the candidate must possess relevant academic qualifications with admission as a legal practitioner, however described, of the High Court or the Supreme Court of an Australian State or Territory and hold or have the ability to immediately obtain a current practising certificate.Applicants must have at least 3-5 years prior experience working as a lawyer.Your NDIA ExperienceWe work as one team. We are accepting, diverse and driven. We take a shared approach to making progress. We welcome and support each other and encourage different ideas, insights and opinions. We empower and enable each other to be our best. We collaborate, connect and work together to create a workplace that makes us proud. And while we're based far and wide across the country, we make sure nobody feels they are out on their own.You will work for a socially inclusive and culturally diverse workplace, that is making a meaningful impact to the lives of more than 600,000 Australians.Access to higher superannuation and above market leave entitlements.Competitive remuneration and working conditions that support a positive work life balance.In the Chief Counsel Division, our mission is threefold.We thrive as a division when we:empower and invest in our people.work together to innovate and share knowledge.act inclusively with integrity, empathy and respect; andlook after the health, safety and well-being of ourselves and others.We are integral to the Agency when we:provide a proactive and solutions focused service.understand and address our stakeholders’ needs.have the courage to do what is right; andcollaborate respectfully and meaningfully.We build trust in the NDIS when we:keep participants at the heart of everything we do.are consistent, agile, and deliver on our promises.listen to, understand, and consider before we act; andcommunicate clearly, and transparently.To learn more about the entitlements, please refer to the NDIA Enterprise Agreement.While this role is ideally performed from Deakin - ACT, Adelaide - SA, Brisbane - QLD, Geelong & Richmond - VIC and Surry Hills & Parramatta – NSW, remote working arrangements may be considered. We intend to fill this role in an ongoing capacity, however non-ongoing roles up to 12 months with the possibility of extension up to 2 years may be offered. A merit pool will be established that may be used to fill similar positions (ongoing and non-ongoing) within the next 18 months.Successful candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment National Police History check, Worker Screening check and/or Working with Children Check (where required) and provide evidence of Australian Citizenship.Applications for this role close 11.30pm, Thursday 20 February 2025 AEDTIf you have any questions, please contact Hilda McGrillen on 03 5273 1584 or email hilda.mcgrillen@ndis.gov.auWith the exception of personal details, applications can NOT be edited or updated once submitted for consideration. Please make sure you are completely satisfied with your entire application before submitting.NDIA is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability (PwD), First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, Mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families. NDIA will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role. If you require an adjustment to be made during the recruitment process (including alternate formats of the application form) or have an enquiry about the support provided, please contact DFP Recruitment on ((Recruitment Partner Contact Number)) ((Recruitment Partner Email)).RecruitAbility applies to this position: The RecruitAbility scheme supports people with disability applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service (APS) by giving you a better opportunity to put forward your skills and experience during the selection process.There are certain roles within the National Disability Insurance that may require mandatory vaccination, subject to government order or directive. Evidence may be required prior to commencement.
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