North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) is a non-government Aboriginal Corporation funded by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for the purpose of providing legal advice, representation and community legal education to Aboriginal people living in Communities and small towns across the Top End of the Northern Territory. NAAFLS provides advice and representation to the victims of Domestic Violence, to Family Law clients and to families who are the subject of Child Protection Applications or Orders. Other work includes the preparation of wills, Victims of Crime Compensation Claims and assistance and support with housing applications or disputes.

Selection Criteria:

• Eligibility for an Unrestricted Practising Certificate as a Barrister or Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory.

• No less than 5 years post admission experience, a demonstrated capacity to prepare and conduct defended matters as Counsel in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia for Family Law clients, the Local Court in the Child Protection jurisdiction for Aboriginal family members and the Summary Jurisdiction in regard to Domestic Violence for clients who have been the victims of Domestic Violence.

• Capacity to supervise, mentor and manage the work of the legal team comprised of lawyers, para-legals and volunteer law students.

• A willingness to travel by road and or light aircraft to remote Aboriginal Communities, to undertake cultural education so as to have the capacity to work closely with Aboriginal Communities to support community initiatives to reduce family violence and to assist with the provision of culturally appropriate Community Legal Education, advice and representation.

• Where appropriate to contribute to Law Reform, the development of legal policy consistent with the goals and objectives of the organisation, the development and provision of community legal education and to initiate and maintain the Corporation’s relationships with other organisations.

This is an important leadership position within an Aboriginal Legal Service which prides itself on best practice. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to make a difference to the lives of the Aboriginal clients of NAAFLS by ensuring they receive comprehensive, timely and sensitive legal advice and representation. The successful applicant will have excellent oral and written communication skills, the capacity to think outside of the square, a genuine desire and commitment to social justice, the capacity to lead a dynamic legal team and to work in a collegiate manner with management and staff from diverse backgrounds.

A generous package commensurate with experience will be offered to the successful applicant.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please Note: It is a requirement that prior to commencement of the role the successful applicant possess an Ochre card (Working with children clearance), a National Criminal History Check (within 3 months) and a current NT driver’s licence or the ability to obtain one.

A Position Description is attached.