Senior Lawyer, Procurement, Probity & Contracts

Entity : High Speed Rail Authority

Location : Sydney or Canberra

Duration : Non-Ongoing - 12 to 24 months Temporary Fixed Term

Salary Range : $144,716 to $162,627 Base plus 15.5% Super

The Australian Government is planning a future high speed rail network to connect Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and regional communities across the east coast. As Senior Lawyer – Procurement, Probity and Contracts for the Australian Government’s High Speed Rail Authority, you’ll lead legal oversight of procurement and contracting processes and play a critical role in promoting ethical and sound procurement outcomes and practices across a nationally significant program.

About the Role

This is a strategic legal position focused on safeguarding procurement integrity and contractual excellence. You’ll be instrumental in embedding probity, risk management, and legal rigour into every stage of the Authority’s sourcing and contracting lifecycle.

Provide commercially sound expert legal advice on Commonwealth procurement, contracting, and probity

Manage legal risks across tendering, contract formation, and supplier engagement

Design and implement probity plan for sensitive or high-value procurements

Draft, review, and negotiate complex Commonwealth contracts and procurement documentation

Collaborate with internal teams and external advisors to ensure defensible procurement processes

Your Impact

Your legal expertise will underpin the Authority’s commitment to transparency, value-for-money, and ethical conduct.

Deliver authoritative legal guidance aligned with PGPA Act and Commonwealth Procurement Rules

Promote ethical procurement practices and APS probity principles

Develop standard templates and model clauses for consistent contracting

Provide training and support to stakeholders on procurement obligations and best practices

Contribute to strategic sourcing initiatives and procurement reform

About You

You’re a seasoned legal professional with deep expertise in government procurement and contract law. You bring:

Extensive knowledge of Commonwealth Procurement Rules and PGPA Act

Proven experience in legal risk management, probity, and contract negotiation

Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills

A commitment to ethical leadership and public sector values

Position eligibility
In addition to the above key capabilities, to be eligible for this position you must:

Have 5+ years PQE and current Legal Practising Certificate

Be an Australian citizen

Baseline Security Clearance preferred

Satisfy a National Coordinated Criminal History Check

About Us

The High Speed Rail Authority, an independent corporate Commonwealth entity, has been tasked with developing a national high speed rail network.

Stage 1 would connect Newcastle to Sydney on a dedicated new railway line with new world-class trains capable of travelling up to 320km/h. High speed rail stations would be built in central Newcastle, on the Central Coast and in central Sydney. Other stations are also under consideration.

Journeys would be at least twice as fast as now – it would take about an hour to get from Newcastle to Sydney and about 30 minutes from the Central Coast to Newcastle or to Sydney.

As the proposed network expands, further regions and communities would be connected by high speed rail.

A journey from Canberra to Sydney would take about 90 minutes, while it would take about four hours to travel from Melbourne to Sydney or from Sydney to Brisbane.

Why Join Us

At the High-Speed Rail Authority, you’ll help shape the systems that support Australia’s proposed future high speed rail network. We offer:

A purpose-driven culture focused on integrity and innovation

Opportunities to influence procurement strategy and legal governance

Flexibility, growth, and meaningful work

Commitment to learning and development

Support for relevant learning, training and study assistance for staff’s professional development

Flexibility, growth, and meaningful work.

Competitive salary and superannuation

$144,716 - $162,627 plus 15.4% superannuation

Generous working conditions and leave

Flexible working arrangements available

4 weeks annual leave

20 days personal/carers leave per annum

Flex time arrangements

Focus on employee health and wellbeing

Free annual flu vaccinations

Fitness passport

EAP services

Ready to Lead with Integrity?

Apply now and help shape Australia’s future.

Submit an online application by 11:59 pm (AEDT) Sunday, 21st September 2025. As part of your application, you will need to provide:

Your resume and cover letter

A statement (up to 500-words maximum) with examples describing

o why you wish to join High Speed Rail Authority and

o what unique capability you will bring to the role

Any questions about the role should be directed to Meera Panicker via email on [email protected] with the position title in the subject line.

Merit Pool
A merit pool of suitable candidates may be created from this selection process. Suitable candidates placed on the merit pool may be contacted in relation to identical or similar vacancies on an ongoing basis at High Speed Rail Authority, or the broader APS, within 18 months from the start date of this advertisement.