Would you like the opportunity to further your legal career as an in-house commercial lawyer by working on exciting and fast-moving projects for a national government agency?

The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) works in partnership with 15 National Boards to implement the national regulatory scheme for health professionals. The purpose of health practitioner regulation is to protect the public by ensuring that only health practitioners who have the skills, qualifications and knowledge to provide safe care are registered.  

The opportunity has arisen to work in Ahpra’s high functioning National Legal Practice. As a Legal Advisor in the Corporate Legal team, you will have the opportunity to provide legal advice in crucial and important internal projects that will assist Ahpra to ensure that it meets its aim of protecting the public as the national regulator of health practitioners.

Reporting to the Corporate Counsel and the Senior Legal Advisor, the Legal Advisor provides a broad and exciting range of advice within Ahpra across commercial and contract law, privacy law and administrative law advice to key stakeholders across the organisation, including but not limited to, staff, Board and Committee members, and other relevant regulatory bodies for the purpose of ensuring the National Law is applied and administered in an effective and efficient manner in line with organisational policies and procedures. The role also acts as counsel in relation to litigation conducted by the various Boards and Ahpra.

This is full time, fixed term role of 12 months in any Ahpra office location.

In this role you will: 

• Provide legal advice to ensure Ahpra operates in accordance with legislation, regulations and codes of practice relevant to the National Law.
• Provide legal advice and recommendations to advise Ahpra on its contractual and commercial relationships including drafting and negotiating complex IT and other services contracts and reviewing and advising on tender documentation.
• Provide legal advice and recommendations to address and resolve complex issues in respect of commercial, contract, procurement, privacy and public interest disclosure matters, facilities and leasing, intellectual property rights and protection, delegations and authorisations.
• Provide feedback on the Corporate Legal team’s current work practices and provide recommendations for process improvement which leads to a whole National legal service team improvement.

As the ideal candidate, you will demonstrate the following:

• Hold admission as a legal practitioner to any state or territory and holds or is eligible to hold an unrestricted practicing certificate
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain constructive relationships with staff and internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated legal skills and experience in commercial law, procurement and contract management, privacy law and information / data governance are essential. Experience in administrative law (including statutory interpretation, Ombudsman requirements, freedom of information, instruments of delegation and public interest disclosures) is desirable.
• Understanding of administrative law and governance, demonstrated by experience in a statutory or regulatory environment.

Role description: Role Description - Legal Advisor - Corporate Legal Services L7 - 2 June 2020.pdf

What we offer: 

• Work/life balance with the flexibility to work both in the office and at home – the best of both worlds 
• A friendly and supportive working culture with an active social club 
• Discounted health insurance with Medibank Private and discounted gym memberships 
• Open plan workspaces in a 5-star rated building in a central location. 
• Attractive salary of $129,526 per annum plus Superannuation 

To apply: 

• Click ‘Apply Now’ to submit your application. 
• Your application must include a resume and a cover letter outlining your skills and experience relevant to the requirements in the position description Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa. Work eligibility will be checked as part of the recruitment process 
• For any queries or a confidential discussion regarding this position, please contact Recruitment at [email protected] using the subject line: Legal Advisor - Corporate Counsel enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Offer of employment is subject to successful background (pre-employment screening) and Criminal History checks. 

Ahpra is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity and inclusion. We strongly encourage people of all abilities to apply, particularly people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and those who may experience diversity or disability related barriers in securing employment.  If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to advise us at time of application. 

With respect, no agencies please.