• Located in Carlton North in an award-winning sustainable building
• Permanent position with a salary of $119,851.60 TFR ($108,956 salary + 10% superannuation)
• Hours negotiable from 30 to 37.5 hours per week

ACF is looking for an experienced co-General Legal Counsel to lead ACF’s environmental law advice and litigation activities, whilst supporting our other co-General Counsel with the internal legal needs of the organisation.

We are the national environment organisation committed to protecting Australia’s unique and beautiful wildlife and natural world. We’re inclusive, non-partisan and funded by Australians.

Who is the ACF?

When it comes to our environment, the Australian Conservation Foundation has been leading the way in protecting our living world for over half a century.

Whether it’s advocating for the Great Barrier Reef, Tasmania’s forests or koalas snoozing in big old trees, our dedicated community of over 700,000 supporters are constantly working to create a world where forests, rivers, people and wildlife thrive.

We realise that in order to keep up the excellent work, we need to ensure that we are just as proactive about caring for our people and our pretty special culture (if we do say so ourselves).

Over the past five years at ACF, we’ve put our money where our mouth is when it comes to our organisational culture. We wanted our culture to be as lush as a rainforest! By applying the same level of commitment to our people as we do to our environment, we now boast a world leading culture where our teams work together (and enjoy it!) and are empowered to kick goals in their personal and work lives.

What’s the gig?

The General Legal Counsel position is shared across two staff members working collaboratively to meet ACF’s legal needs. This position reports directly into our CEO, Kelly (who is awesome, by the way!)

ACF’s Legal Team is responsible for the provision of legal advice and services to the organisation. The team provides legal advice for ACF’s internal affairs and our work on environmental legislation and litigation activities as we strive for laws that protect our natural world.

Day to day, you’ll find yourself with the following responsibilities;

• Advise or procure expert advice on legal activities associated with ACF’s campaigns including but not limited to; law reform proposals, legal avenues to challenge environmentally unsustainable activities and freedom of information requests.
• Advise or procure expert advice on proposed and existing laws and regulations that impact on ACF’s operating status, charitable status and rights of advocacy.
• Brief the CEO and Board on relevant legal matters and risks and provide training and information sessions to ACF employees, volunteers, Board and Council.
• Work with and assist the ACF Board and Honorary Secretary as required on internal governance, statutory compliance and legal matters.
• Develop and oversee legal compliance systems, including contracts, permits, intellectual property, tax status and other issues.
• Prepare and present detailed, comprehensive reports and briefs, submissions and other correspondence as required.
• Maintain effective relationships with and coordinate external assistance from legal firms and barristers who provide pro-bono or paid legal assistance and advice.
• Represent ACF in relevant forums, conferences, seminars and public speaking engagements to promote the work of ACF.

About you!

• You will be an experienced legal practitioner* operating at a senior level in environment law and litigation, with some exposure to laws relating to contracts, privacy, online publishing and social media, fundraising, bequests, FOI, defamation, electoral law and employment.
• Organised, a clear communicator, collaborative and committed to service excellence.
• Strong on process with sound judgement.
• A big fan of nature, embracing ACF’s vision of a world where forests, rivers, people and wildlife thrive. Experience in non-profits is an advantage.

*A current Legal Practising Certificate that is not subject to supervised practice requirements (or entitlement to apply for and receive such a Certificate promptly upon being offered the position) is required.

Want to throw your hat in the ring?

You’ll find the full Position Description on our website www.acf.org.au/work_with_us.

Send us your expression of interest including a cover letter, resume, and a brief address of the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description combined in 1 document (word or PDF) by the close date.

We may contact you to progress to the next stage of recruitment prior to the close date, so get in early! We want to hear from you!

ACF is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants. We actively encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, LGBTIQA+ people, people with disability and others who have diverse experiences of our world to apply for this opportunity. Applicants must have the right to live and work in Australia to be considered for this job.

As part of ACF’s recruitment process, a criminal background check will be conducted.

We request no agency contact please.