Description

About the Position About the role: The Managing Principal Lawyer (Advocacy) is a specialist role that leads and manages Police's Specialist Advocacy Unit. It is aligned to the Senior Management Team of the Courts and Specialist Prosecutions Division and reports directly to our Special Counsel. Providing specialist leadership and legal supervision, this role has oversight and responsibility of a team of specialist criminal law advocates who represent Victoria Police in state-wide complex and high-profile prosecutions in the Magistrates' and Children's Court, and in the Family Violence jurisdiction of the County Court. Advocates within the unit also appear, when required, in complex bail applications and judicial reviews in the Supreme Court of Victoria.The Managing Principal Lawyer (Advocacy) is required to manage the Specialist Advocacy Unit proactively and strategically, and provide high-level legal advice to the Special Counsel, the Director of the Courts and Specialist Prosecutions Division and other executive management of Victoria Police's Legal Services Department (LSD).Additionally, the Managing Principal Lawyer (Advocacy) is required to represent Special Counsel and participate in internal and external stakeholder working groups, committees and forums. Victoria Polices' LSD provides legal services and advice to support policing, courts, and the Victorian Community. The LSD is led by an Executive Director (who is also the organisation's General Counsel) and employs over 800 staff spread across four divisions– the Office of the Executive Director; the Legal Practice Division (incorporating the Civil Law Division); the Courts and Specialist Prosecutions Division; and the Legal Business Operations Division. We employee police prosecutors, police lawyers (including specialised advocates and lawyers), project and program support staff and administration and business support staff – all from a diverse mix of sworn, operational, VPS and specialist technical areas.Victoria Police is a contemporary and agile workplace and supports flexible working arrangements. Your duties will include: Manage a team of VPS6 and VPS5 advocates, as well as VPS3 lawyers and VPS2 administrative and legal support officers. Participate in, and contribute to, internal and external stakeholder working groups, committees, and forums, and be the central contact point for all advocacy-related stakeholder engagement.Craft, progress, drive and champion innovative processes, practices and projects to achieve more efficient prosecutorial outcomes. Provide expert written and verbal legal advice to LSD executive management on all matters relevant to the advocacy unit, including advice relating to the merits and prospects of proposed appeals.Appear as advocate, as required, in highly complex and sensitive matters. Other duties as directed. As the successful applicant, you will have: A law degree, with at least 8 years post admission experience. A valid, current, and unrestricted legal practising certificate (or the ability to rapidly acquire one).High level practical and strategic advocacy skills and experience. Demonstrated understanding and practical experience in summary criminal proceedings, County Court appeals and Supreme Court bail applications. A comprehensive practical understanding of criminal, bail and evidence law, practice and procedure.Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills. Contemporary management and leadership skills and experience. Requirements and relevant information: One (1) x full-time, ongoing position available. This position is located at 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa.The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include fingerprint checks and misconduct screening. In accordance with the Acting Chief Health Officer's Direction– COVID-19 Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Directions, you are required to be fully vaccinated (this includes a booster vaccination) and your employment with Victoria Police is subject to proof of vaccination.As a member of the Legal Services Department you will be located, on selection, at a specific office within a Division for a particular advertised opportunity. However, given occasional legal demand issues you may be required at times to undertake varied work within the Department. This supports the Departments commitment to a flexible and deployable legal workforce and professional development opportunities in a range of legal domains.Your application must include: Resume Cover Letter (no more than one (1) page) Completed application form– the word document (2. Application form) for you to complete and attach to your submission, is attached to the job advertisement. A copy of your Australian Legal Practising Certificate .Applications close midnight, Wednesday, 1 March 2023. Please Note: All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; and Skills Exchange (JSE) the Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic) website or Seek. Applications will not be accepted via other platforms or email.Current Victorian Government employees must apply via Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE). For further information on this role please contact: Special Counsel, Luisa Di Pietrantonio on (03) 8628 0356 or via email or Director Adrian Serratore on (03) 8533 1513 or via email No recruitment agency calls please.If you have a disability/medical condition and require a copy of this advertisement and attached documentation in an accessible format or would like to discuss an access requirements/reasonable adjustment for the recruitment process, please contact VPS Recruitment via email or on (03) 8335 8081.About Us: Victoria Police has a dedicated workforce of more than 22,000 employees consisting of police, protective services officers, police custody officers, and public service staff. Each employee plays a vital role in providing the 24/7, 365 days a year emergency response and public safety capability the organisation delivers to its community. As a Victoria Police employee, you have a dedication and commitment to community safety.Having a workforce that reflects the community we serve is important to Victoria Police. We want to attract and retain people of all genders, ages, religions, disability, sexual orientation, family and caring responsibilities, and cultures including people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage. If you are interested in a position, we encourage you to apply as we celebrate the benefit that diversity brings to our employees, our services, and our community.Find out what it is like working as a Victorian Public Servant for Victoria Police: no -- Principals only. Recruiters, please don’t contact this job advertiser.
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