The Role

General Counsel – Military Law is seeking a highly motivated EL 2 Legal Director to fulfil the position of Director DIL. As Director DIL you will provide strategic and practical advice on a diverse range of topics, including:

• the conduct of DIG activities
• intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance polices, activities and capabilities
• cooperative activities involving the Defence Intelligence Enterprise and National Intelligence Community
• Legislative reform affecting the Defence Intelligence Enterprise and related Defence capabilities (including National Security legislation and Electronic Surveillance Reform).

You will also be required to:

• prepare and review legal and policy submissions on complex, and often, novel issues
• provide training to DIG staff as needed
• manage legal aspects of the Defence relationship with the Inspector General of the Intelligence and Security, and the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.

The key duties of the position include:

• providing strong legal guidance in relation to broad range of often time-sensitive matters including the conduct of DIG activities
• leading, supporting and providing guidance to any lawyers under your supervision to meet the legal needs of the DIG
• leading and assisting in the development of DIG policies and procedures and other material regarding the DIG
• engaging and collaborating with representatives from key internal and external stakeholder groups in an informed, strategic and persuasive manner to build relationships and raise awareness while managing expectations and sensitivities
• producing high-level briefs, responses to government and other reports on a broad range of new and emerging legal issues, as well as support legal policy submissions
• providing training to DIG staff on a range of legal matters as needed.

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain a Positive Vetting Security Clearance as a condition of employment.

This role is eligible for an additional remuneration benefit known in Defence as a Building Defence Capability Payment (BDCP). This enables Defence to provide a premium, in addition to the base salary otherwise payable under the Defence Enterprise Agreement (DEA), for positions in occupational disciplines/classifications that are critical to Defence capability. For further information, please contact the contact officer.

About our Team

The Directorate of Intelligence Law (DIL) within Defence Legal delivers General Counsel services to the Defence Intelligence Group (DIG), in particular the Australian Geospatial-Intelligence and Defence Intelligence Organisation.

DIL staff are co-located with the DIG and Defence Legal, and facilitate the provision of legal advice on all areas of law affecting the Defence Intelligence Enterprise, in consultation with broader Defence Legal, other government agencies and external legal service providers.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidates will be able to:

• provide strong legal guidance in relation to broad range of often time-sensitive matters
• lead and support a small team
• have a strong understanding of National Intelligence Community
• have extensive experience in intelligence law and the development of intelligence law related policies and procedures and other material regarding the Defence Intelligence Group (DIG)
• collaboratively engage with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholder groups to build relationships and raise awareness while managing expectations and sensitivities
• effectively communicate both in writing and verbally.

Application Closing Date: Thursday 8 May 2025.

For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/02956/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=6C571A25-02E7-7372-B3A6-E3BDBFA742B8