About NAAJA:

Be a part of one of Australia’s most dynamic, diverse, and challenging legal practices. NAAJA provides legal aid for Indigenous people in the Northern Territory, with offices in Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs.

We are a leading Australian legal service and have received both National and Northern Territory human rights awards for our work. We are committed to providing quality representation for our clients and bringing about long-term change in the justice system. Our staff are motivated, dedicated and do work that matters.

• Salary packaging options
• 6 weeks annual leave per year with leave loading
• Annual airfare

Position Overview:

NAAJA’s civil law practice is an extremely busy and diverse one, with practice areas including police accountability, child protection, adult guardianship, consumer, discrimination, tenancy, social security and victims of crime compensation claims.

NAAJA seeks appropriately qualified legal practitioners who have the personal and professional attributes to be a successful member of its Civil Law Team, in particular in the child protection practice group, and to maintain carriage of a challenging practice.

The position entails regular travel to remote communities to conduct Civil Law Clinics and may include overnight stays.

The work requires high levels of motivation, energy and a commitment to professional excellence.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

Key Selection Criteria:

1. Eligibility for Admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia.
2. Demonstrated interest and experience in civil law, ideally in child protection and with at least 2 years post admission experience.
3. Ability to undertake civil litigation and casework and provide civil law advice with limited supervision.
4. Preparedness to undertake overnight travel to, and to work in, all NAAJA Offices and remote Aboriginal communities.
5. Ability to identify policy/law reform issues of relevance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the Northern Territory, including an awareness of current issues facing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and understanding of their aspirations.
6. Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills including effective cross-cultural communication skills, and willingness to work with cultural and language interpreters.
7. Ability to work constructively with a diverse team of legal and non-legal staff to achieve NAAJA’s goals.
8. Ability to meet deadlines.
9. Ability to obtain a “Working with Children Clearance” (Ochre Card) upon commencement.
10. Current drivers licence.
11. Satisfactory criminal history check and no history of disqualification from employment by a legal practice.

Appointment subject to:

• Rights within Australia.
• National Criminal history check
• Valid NT Drivers Licence
• Ochre Card
• Eligibility for Admission as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory and the High Court of Australia.

Considerations:

• This position requires you to apply for a Working with Children Clearance/Ochre Card prior to your employment commencement date and send us receipt of payment. This will be at your own cost.
• Six-month probation period.
• Non-smoking working environment.
• The contact details of at least two referees are required.
• Evidence of qualification attainment will be required.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.