• Legal service providing free services to the Melbourne West community.
• Lead a dynamic and innovative program assisting family violence victim survivors and their children through family violence and family law legal interventions.
• Use your expertise to deliver a best practice and high impact program involving both Court services and 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
• Footscray-based location
• Part time or full time option

The Role

This is an exciting time to be joining Westjustice and leading this dynamic program. Our recent expansion to include a Family Law Capacity Building Project, an Early Resolution Service, along with the impact of COVID-19, has seen this team grow and evolve. In addition, our integrated multidisciplinary in situ partnerships and the development of the new Wyndham Justice Precinct create opportunities to be at the forefront of new and improved ways in which we can work with clients to improve service delivery models and advocate for real and effective change.

The Family Violence Family Law Team is based at our Footscray Office. You will manage a well-regarded team of legal practitioners and administration staff which provides legal services and education to a range of clients experiencing family violence.

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 victim-survivors. 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:

• Strong experience in legal processes relevant to family violence intervention orders and family law.
• Ability to collaborate with a senior management team and make strategic decisions.
• Experience in leading a team or impact area, including management of program staff.
• Ability to engage a diverse range of stakeholders and build strong partnerships.
• Experience in developing and delivering community education programs, law reform and advocacy campaigns, research projects and/or project management including monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
• Proven analytical skills with a commitment driving to best practice.
• A commitment to WEstjustice values and working with their clients and communities.
• A problem solving and innovation mindset.

Please call Melissa Hardham on 03 9749 7720 for a confidential discussion.

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.