Senior Legal Officer - International Government Agreements and Arrangements
Australian Department of Defence
Posted 6 days ago
The Role
Defence Legal is a national organisation, which provides legal advice and other legal support services to Defence. We draw upon the professional talent of our people to pursue excellence in support of Defence operations, command, management and administration. The Senior Legal Officer role provides legal support to the Directorate of International Government Agreements and Arrangements (DIGAA) within Defence Legal.
The Senior Legal Officer role in DIGAA will include responsibility for drafting, reviewing and negotiating proposed treaties and international arrangements sponsored by Defence in close collaboration with a wide range of Defence stakeholders:
- Providing legal advice to Defence clients on the interpretation and application of Defence sponsored treaties and international arrangements;
- Working closely with other parts of Defence Legal, and other parts of Government, to facilitate the provision of legal advice affecting Defence activities; and
- Supervising and/or mentoring junior members of the team, and contributing to the team’s corporate initiatives.
To be successful, you will need:
- Experience in providing legal advice to clients in a high tempo operational environment;
- Experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating treaties and international arrangements and participating in multi-lateral international forums; and
- Excellent communication, relationship management, client engagement and team building skills.
About our Team
The Directorate of International Government Agreements and Arrangements (DIGAA) in Defence Legal facilitates and coordinates with Defence stakeholders and international partners in the development of Defence specific treaties and international arrangements.
DIGAA is responsible for the coordinating, drafting and negotiating treaties and international arrangements sponsored by the Department of Defence. DIGAA plays a key role in Defence’s international engagements with other nations and international organisations.
DIGAA drafts, negotiates and advises on the international instruments that underpin Defence and ADF international activities including capability acquisitions, international materiel, logistics, information sharing, intelligence, personnel, research and technology, and military exercises and operations.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are seeking experienced senior lawyers who have:
- Relevant post-qualification legal experience and/or qualification in international law or legal practice in an international context;
- Experience in drafting, reviewing and negotiating treaties and international arrangements and participation in international forums would be highly desirable;
- Excellent communication, relationship management and client engagement skills;
- Ability to lead and work collaboratively as a member of a team, and manage competing priorities in a high tempo environment; and
- Experience in working across Government and building productive working relationships.
Application Closing Date: Sunday 17 August 2025
For further information please review the job information pack, reference ASG/06245/25 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=5BB4BE31-9717-8A49-0DB2-E40843F683D4
About Australian Department of Defence
Role
The primary role of Defence is to defend Australia against armed attack.
Australia's defence policy is founded on the principle of self-reliance in the direct defence of Australia, but with a capacity to do more where there are shared interests with partners and allies.
Strategic Direction
The Defence White Paper was released on 25 February 2016 together with an Integrated Investment Program and Defence Industry Policy Statement.
Defence White Papers are the Government's most important guidance about Australia's long-term defence capability. They provide an opportunity for the Government and community to understand the the opportunities and challenges for Australia's future defence and security needs.
The White Paper provides a strategy aligned with capability and resources to deliver a future force that is more capable, agile and potent and ready to respond to future challenges.
Source: This is an extract from the company's own website.
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