• Legal service providing free services to the Melbourne West community.
• Lead the Economic Justice team to provide access to justice and assist people experiencing economic and financial centric issues.
• Apply expertise to deliver a best practice and high impact program involving integrated multidisciplinary practice models with an overarching emphasis on law reform, systemic impact and systems improvement.
• Manage a dynamic workforce and work closely with the CEO and Senior Management Team.

THE ORGANISATION

WEstjustice is a leading community legal centre providing free services to vulnerable and disadvantaged people. From our offices in Footscray, Werribee and Sunshine and through our outreach services we provide advice, representation and education on a broad range of issues including employment, discrimination, consumer disputes, tenancy, credit and debt, family disputes, family violence, criminal law, infringements, children’s law and more.

WEstjustice believe in a just and fair society where the law and its processes do not discriminate against vulnerable people. We provide free legal education, undertake law reform activities and work in partnership with their local communities to deliver projects that improve access to justice.

Our purpose is to service the legal needs in the West in a way that addresses the systemic nature of disadvantage

BENEFITS & CULTURE

• Competitive salary with salary packaging
• Up to 5 hours study leave per week
• Flexible working conditions
• Passionate, professional and dedicated team
• Focus on career development
• Werribee-based location

The Role

This is an exciting time to be joining WEstjustice and leading this dynamic program. You will oversee innovative economically and financially centric programs, services and clinics to provide access to justice whilst also addressing the underlying causes and effects of disadvantage and systemic impact reform.

The Economic Justice Team is based at our Werribee office. You will manage a well-regarded and established team of legal practitioners and financial counsellors, as well as multi-disciplinary partnerships, to provide legal, financial and health services to a range of clients experiencing disadvantage.

In addition to direct service delivery, you will lead the team’s reform agenda to promote systemic change and improve accessibility, laws and processes for people experiencing disadvantage. You will also manage relationships with a range of stakeholders that includes partners, governments and potential funders.

Working closely with the CEO you will collaborate and contribute to the wider organisational strategy to ensure best practice, accountability and impact.

We are therefore looking for a person who is ready to help WEstjustice reform, change and, at times, disrupt the current systems to create better life outcomes for our communities in the West.

Skills Required

You will be qualified in law and have experience as a senior member of a legal team, leading and managing staff with the ability to hold a Principal Practising Certificate. Your background may come from a private law firm, a legal aid commission or community legal services.

You will also have:

• Extensive experience in general legal practice across a range of areas of law including banking, insurance, debt, consumer, economic abuse, tenancy and infringements.
• Relevant experience working with people experiencing financial hardship.
• Experience in leading a team or impact area, including management of program staff.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and confidently to engage with a diverse range of stakeholders and to build strong partnerships.
• Ability to collaborate with a senior management team and make strategic decisions.
• Strong commitment to social justice and community engagement, including a demonstrated understanding of the social context of law and the issues faced by communities experiencing vulnerability and/or disadvantage.
• Sound time management skills and ability to deal with competing priorities under pressure.
• Demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, WEstjustice’s Vision, Purpose, Strategy and Impact Areas.

A copy of the position description is available below.

WEstjustice is committed to building a diverse workforce. They strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people living with a disability, people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, mature age workers and LGBTIQ-identifying people.

Applications will be considered as they come through with interviews potentially being held before the close date.

Please call An Huynh on 03 9749 7720 for a confidential discussion.