ABOUT ECONOMIC JUSTICE AUSTRALIA

Economic Justice Australia is the peak organisation for community legal centres providing specialist advice to people on their social security issues and rights.

Our 21 members across Australia have provided people with free and independent information, advice, education and representation in the area of social security for over 30 years. Economic Justice Australia provides expert advice to government on social security reform to make it more effective and accessible.

Recent involvement in the Robodebt Royal Commission and advocacy on domestic violence legislative reforms has led to rapid growth in the size, profile and influence of the small team at Economic Justice Australia.

We are recruiting a law reform officer with policy or legal experience to conduct research on the barriers to accessing social security income support, particularly for women living in remote communities, starting with the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland. The research recommendations will inform Economic Justice Australia’s advocacy for a fair social security system.

The position will also support the work of the CEO and other Law Reform Officers in other areas of reform the organisation is working to influence.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Working closely with the CEO and Economic Justice Australia team, the law reform officer will be responsible for:

• Driving the research, development and drafting of a report on access to legal services for people who need social security income support, initially focusing on women living in remote Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland, with a view to expanding the project nationally
• Working with the internal Economic Justice Australia team and external stakeholders to translate evidence and policy positions into external communications
• Consulting with Economic Justice Australia member centres and partner organisations, and managing relationships with these stakeholders to build the evidence base and support for Economic Justice Australia’s law reform and policy recommendations
• Participating in government inquiries, consultations and other fora to contribute Economic Justice Australia’s thought leadership on access to justice for people who need social security income support
• Identifying and using opportunities to raise the visibility of Economic Justice Australia’s work and its policy positions and recommendations, including media opportunities for Economic Justice Australia and its members
• Contributing content to Economic Justice Australia’s website, social media, Rights Review newsletter and the generation of content for these other external communications channels
• Other duties as required, including all the above to support law reform projects other than the ‘women in remote communities’ project

ESSENTIAL SELECTION CRITERIA

• Knowledge of social security and family assistance law, policy and administration.
• High quality written and verbal communication skills, including the drafting of public reports and/or submissions
• Demonstrated ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research
• Ability to provide detailed analysis of complex legislative, policy and administrative measures and processes
• Understanding of legal service delivery access issues affecting vulnerable people.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with many stakeholders

DESIRABLE SELECTION CRITERIA

• Experience in an organisation delivering legal services, particularly in the legal assistance sector at a community legal centre, an Aboriginal legal service or a Legal Aid service
• Experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Understanding of the dynamics of Domestic and Family Violence

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

More information about the organisation, theory of change and priorities for Economic Justice Australia can be found here.

The salary for this position will be paid between Levels 6.1 and 7.1 of the Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, depending on the experience of the successful candidate.

As a Public Benevolent Institution, Economic Justice Australia is able to offer staff generous salary packaging options. The tax savings for a staff member choosing to take full advantage of the salary packaging option mean that their take-home salary may be increased by up to $6,000 per annum​.

Economic Justice Australia values flexibility and applicants seeking a flexible pattern of hours or part-time work are encouraged to contact us to discuss.

Our office is in Sydney (convenient location near Central Station), but we're happy to consider applicants with suitable skills and experience from anywhere in Australia.