Role Description

The Human Rights Solicitor will provide a high standard of referral, advice and representation to clients of QAI, with a focus on guardianship and administration matters. The solicitor will contribute to the systemic advocacy work and community legal education of QAI within the Human Rights Advocacy Practice.

The position can be filled either part time or full time, commencing in February 2023 for a 12 month contract and falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award). It will be paid at either Level 5 or 6, with the level and pay point commensurate with experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Providing legal advice to clients of QAI’s Human Rights Advocacy Practice (HRAP) for matters arising under the Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld), the Forensic Disability Act 2011 (Qld), the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld), the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth), the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld) and related legislation.
• Performing legal representation on behalf of HRAP clients with matters before the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT), as well as the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and other courts and tribunals as required.
• Conduct strategic test cases from a human-rights perspective to achieve or promote systemic reform of laws and services impacting on people with disability, with a particular focus on guardianship and administration.
• Provide information and referrals to other legal, welfare and community services, including the provision of community legal education events and material.
• Identify issues requiring systemic reform (including law reform) in relation to the rights of people with disability, with a particular focus on guardianship and administration.
• Assist the Principal Solicitor to supervise the Human Rights Advocacy Practice staff as and when required.

Selection Criteria

Essential:

• a solicitor with a minimum of three years post admission experience and a current unrestricted Queensland Practising Certificate or eligibility to obtain one.
• strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity.
• good knowledge of people with disability and understanding of what makes people vulnerable.
• highly developed interpersonal skills, specifically the ability to converse with people at grass roots, as well as those in positions of authority to affect change in the lives of young people with disability.
• well-developed organisational and time management skills, including the ability to plan, implement and evaluate strategic pieces of work.
• criminal history screening clearance.

Desirable:

• lived experience of disability.
• experience in Guardianship and Administration Law and/or Human Rights Law with demonstrated experience in the disability, mental health or social services sectors, delivering advice and representation to vulnerable individuals.
• experience in supervision of staff and/or volunteers.
• previous experience at a Community Legal Centre and/or with the CLASS, would be advantageous.

About Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion

Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI) is an independent advocacy organisation whose purpose is to advocate for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland. We do this by engaging in systemic advocacy through campaigns and submissions directed at attitudinal, law and policy change, and by supporting the development of a range of advocacy initiatives throughout our state.

We also provide advocacy to individuals with disability through our four advocacy practices: Human Rights Advocacy Practice, Mental Health Advocacy Practice, NDIS Appeals and Disability Advocacy Practice. We are a registered charity and community legal service that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.

Why Work for QAI

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within our workplace and were the first organisation to opt-in to being bound by the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). We encourage First Nations people and people with disability to apply as the position would benefit from a person with lived experiences. Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustments if required to assist the application and recruitment process.

We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture as we take the well-being of our staff seriously. Our well-being program includes staff activities such as walks by the river, yoga or potluck lunches, creating opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens.

We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment, professional supervision, paid parental leave and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.

Please address any questions to Megan, Chief Operating Officer on 07 3844 4200 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Human Rights Solicitor enquiry via EthicalJobs.

A position description is attached. QAI is willing to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability.

To be considered for this role, please submit your resume and a cover letter addressing the essential selection criteria.