An opportunity for a diligent Lawyer has become available to join our legal team in Sydney. This is an opportunity for the right candidate to be part of a reputable organisation with excellent professional development prospects. Attractive remuneration package and access to salary packaging. 

About knowmore

knowmore is a nation-wide independent community legal centre providing free legal information, advice, representation and referrals, financial counselling, support and systemic advocacy for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Since 2022 our service has expanded to provide legal advice and financial counselling for people applying to the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme, financial counselling for people applying to the Victorian Stolen Generations Reparations Package and free legal advice for survivors of child sexual abuse that are not eligible to apply to the National Redress Scheme. We continue to provide free legal advice, support and financial counselling in relation to the National Redress Scheme.

knowmore uses a multidisciplinary model bringing together lawyers, intake officers, social workers and counsellors, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement advisors and financial counsellors to provide trauma-informed, client-centred and culturally safe legal assistance to clients.

Services are provided through a national phone line and face-to-face services in key locations, supported by a comprehensive program of outreach and community engagement across Australia. knowmore currently has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Darwin.

About the Role

knowmore’s lawyers will provide high quality legal services to clients in a culturally safe and appropriate manner within a trauma informed and multi-disciplinary framework.

This role delivers front line legal services and reports directly to the Managing Lawyer. This role works collaboratively as a member of the national legal team and within knowmore’s multi-disciplinary model, working alongside other teams delivering intake, social work and cultural support services to clients. At times the role will also work with other partner services to support clients.

The role will advise clients who are survivors of child sexual abuse about redress and compensation options, including redress claims under the National Redress Scheme, and acting for clients making such claims. Lawyers will also contribute to knowmore’s policy and law reform work and prepare and deliver community legal education and participate in other community engagement activities, working cooperatively and collaboratively with other staff and service providers.

Guided by the organisation’s service plan, the role will involve intrastate and interstate travel to deliver services to clients on an outreach basis, and to undertake community engagement activities. Accordingly, a current drivers’ license is highly desirable, along with the ability and willingness to travel, including to remote and regional locations for up to a week at a time, and to work out of hours.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Providing high-quality legal information, advice, representation and referral services to clients who are survivors of child sexual abuse, through telephone and face to face services.
• Contributing as a professional member of a national legal practice; complying with the rules and requirements of relevant legal profession legislation and the Community Legal Centre Risk Management Guide.
• Working cooperatively and collaboratively, both within knowmore’s multi-disciplinary model of teams of legal and non-legal staff, and with external service providers, to ensure client’s legal and other needs are identified and actioned in a consistent, effective and timely way.
• Manage a significant caseload of client matters ensuring all service standards and timelines are met
• Ensure all relevant service data is accurately recorded.
• Making referrals, including warm referrals, to other service providers where appropriate.
• Undertaking legal research and drafting to support knowmore’s contributions to law reform and policy and procedural initiatives relating to its client group.
• Contribute to the preparation and delivery of community legal education and other engagement activities and materials.
• Undertaking and participating in the development and delivery of ongoing training and professional development activities for knowmore staff and service partners.
• Contribute to the day-to-day supervision and co-ordination of the activities of volunteers and pro bono providers.
• Proactively manage own self-care and workload.  
• This role is focused on providing legal advice for our free advice line.
• Undertake other duties and projects as directed.

Selection Criteria 

• Must hold a practising certificate or be able to obtain it immediately.
• An awareness of the legal issues facing survivors of child sexual abuse and demonstrated experience practicing in a relevant area or areas of law; (such as experience in personal injury law, criminal law or defamation law and/or acting for victims of crime or other clients who have experienced complex trauma).
• Understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the ability to provide culturally safe services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work flexibly, collaboratively and professionally within a multi-disciplinary team, as well as with external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience in managing multiple priorities and timelines across a significant caseload of matters and the ability to work at times with minimal supervision, but to consistently consult and report appropriately.
• Capacity to accept and respond appropriately to constructive feedback regarding professional capability and work performance.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in regional, rural and remote areas, for up to a week at a time.

Qualifications and other Requirements

• There are mandatory qualifications for this role. A relevant tertiary qualification and professional accreditation is required.
• Holding a satisfactorily National Police Records Check and a Working with Children Check.

Location & Hours

• The role is based in Sydney
• Full-time 
• Ongoing – subject to the funding of the knowmore service.

Organisational Obligations

• Share our values and have a strong commitment to improving the lives of survivors of child abuse.
• First Nations cultural competency – to work in ways that recognise and counteract privilege and bias, and appreciate the values, traditions, belief systems, and experience of First Nations People.
• Demonstrate an active and dedicated commitment to knowmore’s Purpose, Vision and Values.
• Commitment to working within and supporting knowmore’s practice framework (trauma-informed culturally safe, person-centred).
• Comply with knowmore’s Policies and Procedures.
• Observe all legal and legislative requirements.
• Ensure a high level of confidentiality and integrity.
• Assist in the development of, and participate in knowmore’s initiatives, projects and events.
• Cultivate productive and collaborative working relationships and outcomes through open an inclusive planning, continuous improvement and transparent work practices.
• Liaise with others in a professional, respectful and constructive manner.
• Take reasonable care to protect their health and safety and the health and safety of others.
• To engage in professional supervision and other reflective practice opportunities as required.

Benefits

• A competitive salary commensurate with the not for profit sector is offered together with the availability of salary packaging to achieve a tax effective total salary package.  In addition to being a flexible workplace, knowmore offers 12% superannuation (0.5% above the SGC), a 37.5 hour working week and 4 weeks annual leave, including annual leave loading.
• Employees have access to a training and development opportunities as well as our Employee Assistance Program.
• Additionally, knowmore offers the ability to partially work from home to facilitate a balanced work life.

Meet Aunty Glendra

Aunty Glendra Stubbs is a Wiradjuri woman and an Elder in Residence at knowmore. She has been supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients since knowmore began in 2013.  In this video, Aunty Glendra shares her story about working at knowmore and supporting her clients on their journey. Watch the video below.

How to apply

Further Information about knowmore is available at www.knowmore.org.au.

If this sounds like an opportunity you would be interested, please click Apply Now to submit your application.

The role will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Records Check, a Working with Children Check.
There is no application closing date for this role, we are keen to proceed with recruitment as soon as possible and interviews may be conducted as applications are received. Due to the volume of anticipated applications, only successful applicants will be contacted. 

Agencies please note: This recruitment assignment is being managed directly by knowmore. We do not require extra assistance at this time.