KWILS is seeking a Principal Legal Officer to join our team, as we enter an exciting new phase of growth. You will have the opportunity to shape KWILS' service delivery and future.

about us

KWILS' service area covers over 330,000km2 in the beautiful Top End of Australia. Over the past 24 years KWILS has assisted thousands of vulnerable, disadvantaged, and isolated women to access justice, particularly those who face additional barriers for reasons including race, culture, disability, language, poverty, age and sexuality.

KWILS is a passionate team that delivers a holistic and client-focused service through a gendered lens, with a focus on a being highly qualified, trauma informed, safe, and culturally competent.

Our Vision: A future where women and their children are safe, living with dignity and respect.

Our Values: Respect, Empathy, Honesty, and Continuous Improvement.

Our Mission: Provision of legal assistance, legal education, and specialised support services to women of Katherine and the Big Rivers Region with a particular focus on the reduction of domestic, family and sexual violence.

Key responsibilities 

• Manage and implement service delivery in line with funding specifications and KWILS’ Strategic Plan to ensure the objectives of the service are met. 
• Oversee and ensure all legal work and data collection undertaken complies with the Legal Profession Act (NT); NACLC Risk Management Guidelines; National Legal Assistance Data Standards Manual; Professional Indemnity Insurance Guide; any other reasonable directions set by funding or regulatory bodies, and in accordance with KWILS policies and procedures.
• Ensure the quality of legal work undertaken by the service is of exceptional standard.
• Develop and maintain legal intake; advice; and casework guidelines.
• Conduct legal advice and casework, and have ongoing carriage of files, particularly those of a complex nature, or high-level litigation. 
• Supervise and mentor legal staff including:
  • Conduct regular file reviews with legal staff; 
  • Conduct regular performance reviews of legal staff;
  • Monitor legal staff caseloads and overall capacity of the service;
  • Participate in induction and training of new legal and non-legal staff; and
  • Co-ordinate Continuing Professional Development opportunities for legal staff.
• Prepare and maintain precedent systems.
• Prepare and present high-quality reports and data to the Chief Executive Officer and Management Committee in line with funding specifications and KWILS’ Strategic Plan.
• Identify, develop, and participate in relevant law reform, advocacy, and policy work.
• Identify, develop, and participate in community legal education, ensuring all materials are accurate and mitigate legal risk.
• Build strong relationships and represent KWILS to external stakeholders as directed.
• Actively participate in evaluation and implementation of continuing quality improvement in relation to the legal practice of KWILS. 
• Formulate and develop KWILS policies, procedures, projects, and organisational objectives in partnership with the Chief Executive Officer.

Selection criteria - Essential skills

• Compassionate, self-motivated, and open-minded.
• Strong commitment to and excellent understanding of issues facing women, families, and communities, particularly women who face additional barriers for reasons including remoteness, race, culture, disability, language, poverty, age, or sexuality (or a willingness to quickly develop that knowledge).
• Eligible for Admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia, and eligible to hold an Unrestricted Practising Certificate in the NT.
• 4+ years post admission experience in civil law, with experience of civil litigation, legal advice, and casework with no or limited supervision, across a broad range of areas including domestic and family violence; child protection; family law; discrimination; employment; government complaints; victims of crime compensation; tenancy; consumer; and general civil law.
• Experience in supervising staff including the ability to work constructively with, motivate, mentor, and supervise legal and non-legal staff, students, and volunteers.
• Ability to identify and respond to policy, advocacy, and law reform issues of relevance to the women of Katherine and the Big Rivers Region.
• Commitment to Continuing Professional Development and Continuous Quality Improvement.
• Experience in developing and implementing practice guidelines, and policies and procedures.
• Well-developed time management skills including the ability to meet deadlines and manage a diverse legal practice.
• Demonstrated cross cultural awareness and communication skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills suitable for a range of audiences, including great attention to detail and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of and commitment to EEO and child-safe work principles.
• Strong IT knowledge in a Microsoft environment.
• Ability to obtain a “Working with Children Clearance” (Ochre Card) and driver’s licence.
• Satisfactory criminal history check.

Selection Criteria - Desirable skills

• Availability to travel, including overnight travel, where required.
• Knowledge and experience in working in a community legal centre or women’s legal service. 

how to apply

To submit your application click Apply Now.

For further information, please contact Siobhan Mackay, CEO on (08) 8972 1712 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Principal Legal Officer - Katherine enquiry via EthicalJobs.