We are a leading organisation offering a comprehensive suite of services to clients and the community across the Barwon, West Melbourne and Wimmera Regions. Providing specialist sexual assault and family violence programs and services, including 24 hour crisis care support, case management, therapeutic counselling, early intervention and professional education and training, we continue to grow and develop our offerings.

About The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre

We are a leading organisation offering a comprehensive suite of services to clients and the community across the Barwon and Wimmera Regions. We provide specialist sexual assault and family violence programs and services, including 24 hour crisis care support, case management, therapeutic counselling, early intervention and professional education and training, we continue to grow and develop our offerings.

About The Role

The Senior Solicitor will play a key leadership role in delivering high-quality legal services within the family violence and family law jurisdiction. Working closely with the Principal Solicitor to integrate the legal program into all areas of family violence support services, to improve access to justice for women and children experiencing family violence.

The Senior Solicitor will work independently on a range of legal matters including complex family law matters, mentoring junior legal staff, and participate in systemic change activities as instructed by the Principal Solicitor, such as advocacy, policy development and community legal education.
The position reports to the Principal Solicitor.

Why work for The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre?

The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre takes pride in being an employer of choice; we are passionate about the wellbeing of our team members and we provide a number of complementary benefits to our staff, some of our benefits include:

• Generous above award Enterprise Agreement entitlements
• Flexible and part time working arrangements
• Professional development opportunities
• 10 weeks Paid parental leave
• Salary packaging
• Health and Wellbeing initiatives
• Flu vaccinations
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Social initiatives
• Positive workplace culture

About You

You will hold a minimum Bachelor of Law and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (or equivalent.

If you share our vision for a community free from family violence and sexual assault and are motivated to make a difference, we would like to hear from you.

We pride ourselves on being a great place to work. You care for our clients and we care for you, including by investing in your development and wellbeing. You will have access to leading specialists and training and development that supports you in your role and in your longer term career journey. We offer a variety of career pathway options, leading salary packaging benefits and flexible working arrangements that help you manage your work and your life.

The successful candidate will be required to maintain a current Working With Children’s check and National Police Check at their own expense.

Key Selection Criteria

Essential Qualifications and Experience

Your application must address the following:

• Current Australian Practising Certificate which entitles you to practice as a solicitor in Victoria
• Minimum five years relevant experience in family law, family violence or child protection

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience of the relevant law and relevant court procedures with a focus on the family law and family violence jurisdiction
• Demonstrated experience in a client focused approach that facilitates empowerment and independence for women, and safety and security for women and their children.
• Demonstrated competence in legal advocacy before administrative decision makers and/or courts.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the capacity to communicate and negotiate effectively with all stakeholders and clients.
• Experience mentoring or supervising legal staff, with a collaborative and supportive approach.
• Strong understanding of the legal, social, and cultural dynamics of family violence, and commitment to trauma-informed, client-centred practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work as an effective team member including working collaboratively with teams towards a trauma informed integrated legal practice.
• Excellent organisational skills with flexibility to prioritise a range of competing demands.
• Demonstrated experience working autonomously and with a high degree of initiative and integrity.
• Entitlement to practice in federal courts and courts exercising federal jurisdiction (entry on the High Court Register).

Other

• Commitment to the vision, values and purposes of The SAFV Centre.
• Commitment to continuous quality improvement and cultural equity in service delivery.
• Current Victorian Driver’s Licence.

Referees

Applicants must provide the name and current contact details of 2-3 professional referees including the most recent or current supervisor.

Period of Appointment

This position is ongoing depending on funding.

Hours of work

The position is 0.8- Full time. Hours will usually be worked during business hours of 9.00am to 5.06pm between Monday to Friday.

Salary and Conditions

Annual salary range is $119,099 - $121,603 plus superannuation (pro rata for part time). Salary will be commensurate with experience and skills.

Industrial Instrument: The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre Enterprise Agreement 2023.

Salary Packaging: Provided via Maxxia. PBI status with other expenses available to package above this cap. The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre is a Public Benevolent Institution.

Superannuation: The employer will also make superannuation payments on your behalf in accordance with the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992.

Probationary Period – 6 months with a review conducted during this time.

How To Apply

All applications must address the key selection criteria outlined in the PD. For a confidential discussion, please contact our People and Culture team on 03 5222 4318.

We are currently accepting applications from direct applicants only, no recruitment agency applications accepted.