Exciting opportunity for a Senior Solicitor to join the RACS' team of committed human rights lawyers, in the position of Team Lead Solicitor. This is a newly created position reporting into a Supervising Senior Solicitor and will provide assistance to the RACS Leadership Team by sharing the responsibility for training, policy work, outreach, volunteer coordination, reporting and other external engagements as required by specific funding agreements.

The position requires a solicitor that holds, or is eligible to hold, a NSW legal practicing certificate with more than 5 years legal experience/PQE and/or at least 4 years refugee, migration or other relevant advocacy experience. You must also no longer be subject to condition 2 on your practicing certificate.

A RACS Team Lead Solicitor is expected to:

• Assist RACS advance its strategic mission in achieving justice and dignity for and with refugees through the provision of dedicated legal services and advocacy.
• Provide casework, limited assistance and advice as required in accordance with RACS’ Casework Guidelines to people seeking asylum and refugees. This can include advising and representing clients at Departmental, Immigration Assessment Authority and Administrative Appeals Tribunal and Judicial Review level.
• Identify and appropriately respond to the cultural needs or particular vulnerabilities of RACS’ clients in providing legal work.
• Manage a large volume of client data and documentation in line with legal requirements. This includes maintaining files effectively and in accordance with RACS’ file management policies and in accordance with the Risk Management Guide.
• Meet the reporting requirements of the Leadership Team.
• Attend external supervision and/or debriefing as arranged. Be alert to the danger of burnout, monitor your workload and be pro‐active in self-care for yourself and your team.
• Participate in and facilitate RACS’ training and education programs as required to maintain appropriate skills that will enable provision of high quality and professional migration assistance. This includes completing and maintaining records of MCLE/ CPD points completed.
• Consult with the Supervising Senior Solicitor if at any time you are unsure about an aspect of best practice on a client’s case.
• Support, supervise, mentor & lead RACS solicitors, volunteers and RACS Practical Legal Training students in the provision of services, which includes overseeing and supervising external (solicitor) volunteers in performing these tasks.
• Assist with the supervision of RACS Practice as determined by the Principal Solicitor, such as supervising other RACS lawyers and volunteers, advice and file checking, file closures and training delivery.
• Communicate with a wide range of stakeholders in a confident and a respectful manner.
• Assist to manage specific legal projects and prepare reports as relevant to your area of RACS engagement.

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA

• Extensive experience in providing legal assistance to people that are seeking asylum, stateless or displaced.
• Extensive experience advocating for clients in a Court or Tribunal based setting.
• Experience in mentoring and supervising a legal team.
• Experience leading projects or client service programs.

Application Procedure:

Click 'Apply Now' to submit your cover letter addressing the selection criteria in full and a CV.

Interviews will be held in the fortnight following the closing date with a view to commence at RACS as soon as practicably as negotiated.

Please note this is an urgent recruitment, as such we may commence earlier and we may make decisions prior to the application close date should we find appropriate candidates.

A position description is attached.