ABOUT RAILS

The Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS) is a community legal centre based in South Brisbane. For over 40 years, RAILS has provided free legal assistance, advice and education in immigration and refugee law to people in Queensland.

RAILS assists some of the most vulnerable people in the community - asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants in most need, including people who have experienced family violence. RAILS strives to help them find and remain in safety.

RAILS has been through a recent period of significant growth, has a budget of over $6 million and employs over forty staff members. RAILS is registered as a Charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for Profit Commission.

THE ROLE

The Executive Director/Principal Solicitor provides leadership, strategic positioning, and management of RAILS, consistent with directions of the Management Committee and funding agreements, legislative and professional requirements.

The Executive Director/Principal Solicitor is the most senior staff member and a Principal Solicitor and Responsible Person for RAILS. They are responsible for the legal practice and for strategically positioning the legal service to best meet the ever-changing legal needs of the most vulnerable migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in Queensland.

ABOUT YOU

You are a dedicated, flexible and positive professional and enjoy working in the community legal sector and with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers.

Essential requirements for the role:

• Current Queensland unrestricted practising certificate
• Post qualification experience in immigration and refugee law
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge and understanding of the community legal assistance sector, and of the social and political factors relevant to migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers.

Further details about the role - including the full selection criteria - are in the position description.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE

Principal Solicitor and Responsible Person

• Supervision of Legal Practice Directors
• Resolution of complex legal issues
• Risk management

Executive Director

• Development and driving implementation of Centre strategic plan
• Effective operation and performance of RAILS
• Strategic stakeholder management and engagement
• Effective governance of the Centre, including through support for, and reporting to, the Management Committee.

Centre and Team Leadership

• Leading and driving a values based organisational culture.
• Leading the RAILS Leadership Team
• Supervision of three Legal Practice Directors.

Financial, Funding and Fundraising

• Strategic leadership to maintain or grow the financial position of the organisation
• Oversight of development of annual budget and of financial reporting
• Briefing of finance sub-committee of Management Committee (supported by RAILS’ external accountant)
• Management of funding arrangements
• Responsibility for National Legal Assistance Partnership (NLAP) relationship

Pro bono

• Management of nominated key pro bono relationships

Law Reform

• Strategic supervision of RAILS’ advocacy and law reform work

FOR MORE INFORMATION

We welcome queries about the role. Please email any queries to [email protected], using the subject line: Executive Director / Principal Solicitor (Combined Role) enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Further details about the role are in the position description which is available on request via email.