About us

Whittlesea Community Connections works with the community to advocate for and deliver services, programs, opportunities and information that ensure everyone has equal access to better, fairer systems and a greater connection to the community.

Our vision is for a thriving, resilient and connected community where everyone has a voice and equal access to the services, information and education they need to live fully.

Our strategic priorities

Women achieve equitable life outcomes and are free from Family Violence

Young people have a sense of belonging and a voice in their community

There is equitable access to employment opportunities within a sustainable local economy

People lead healthy lives connected to community and services

Whittlesea is a resilient community that is empowered to protect, prepare and adapt to a changing local environment in partnership with our First Nations and diverse communities

Overview of Role

The Principal Lawyer is an important member of WCC's Leadership team and is key to strengthening our multi-disciplinary model and improving client and community outcomes. WCC's lawyers work in and across different teams formed around our 5 strategic priorities (eg. Gender Equity and Family Violence, Children and Young People) so the Principal Lawyer needs to work closely with peers on shared supervision, planning, intake and referral and building strong professional multi-disciplinary connections. This role also provides leadership and coordination of WCC's Improvement Plan.

Key responsibilities

Leadership

Provide leadership, and direction to the lawyers and leadership within and across WCC's matrix of integrated services

Undertake recruitment in collaboration with the Executive and ensure high-quality systems of induction, training, co-ordination and supervision of legal staff and volunteers.

Participate in the Leadership Group of WCC and ensure that legal services and practices are meeting community need and aligned with WCC's Strategic Priorities.

Provide effective mechanisms that encourage peer collaboration and support such as community of practice and group supervision and lead legal practice meetings.

Develop and contribute to the positive culture of WCC

Lead the work to ensure NAS CLC Accreditation requirements are met.

Legal service delivery and practice management

Provide day-to-day management and support for all lawyers, volunteer lawyers and non-lawyer support persons to deliver high quality legal information, advice, casework, advocacy and referral services for clients, and appear in court as necessary.

Provide regular and effective practice supervision that meets the requirements of the Risk Management Guide for employed lawyers and any volunteered lawyers who provide legal advice and services.

Collaborate with and across WCC teams to understand and respond to community legal needs including intake and assessment, community legal education, access to justice law reform and advocacy.

Provide legal advice and secondary consultation to other Services staff in relation to the legal rights and responsibilities of their client(s).

Establish, review and improve policy and procedures for the legal practice and align them with WCC objectives and organisational policies and our Improvement Plan.

Stakeholder and community engagement

Work collaboratively across WCC to foster external partnerships that align with our strategic priorities.

Develop and extend existing partnership arrangements with local and regional services, including with La Trobe University, Berry Street, Northern Health, Kids First, Uniting and Victoria Legal Aid (Ringwood).

Contribute to WCC's law reform and advocacy work through identification of trends and issues arising from legal casework, proposing responses, undertaking research, preparation of submissions, engaging with MP's and media work.

Participate in relevant networks that improve legal service delivery and access to justice.

Identify key projects and initiatives that further our strategic objectives and apply for relevant grants.

Essential qualifications:

Tertiary qualifications, qualifying law degree or equivalent and admitted to practice

Current principal practising certificate

Deep understanding of community legal centre service provision, and some engagement with integrated multi service projects and/or health justice partnerships

Proficient in the provision of legal advice, advocacy, casework, particularly in areas of the law that are relevant to our strategic priority areas and community demographics

Sound knowledge of the family law and family violence systems in Victoria

Experience working in cross-cultural settings and with clients from diverse backgrounds

Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including effective communication, negotiation, verbal and written presentation skills

Ability to build and strengthen relationships with a diverse range of key partners, stakeholders, and specialist services to benefit clients and the organisation more broadly

Demonstrated commitment to social justice and an understanding of the legal and other issues that impact on people’s access to justice

What we offer

We’re committed to creating an environment where people thrive. Our benefits include:

Flexible work arrangements available.

Additional paid leave over the end-of-year closure period & cultural leave.

Salary packaging to make part of your income tax-free.

Access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support.

An inclusive and diverse culture that values continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability.

WCC is committed to developing an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of our community. We welcome and encourage applications from all ages and genders, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people with disabilities.

Please call Alex Haynes 0408 255 266 for a confidential discussion if you have any questions or want further detail. Copy of the PD can be found below: https://static.ethicaljobs.com.au/media/1758456668_o7LNt_.pdf