General Counsel - Corporate

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Temporary Full time for a period of 5 years

LOCATION - ACT

AFP BAND & SALARY -  Senior Executive Band Level 1 - $230,308.00

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14764

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Join Our Team

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) is a key player in the Australian security landscape, rising to complex challenges and staying a step ahead to protect Australians as new threats emerge.

We break new ground every day and a career as a member of the AFP requires a diversity of skills and knowledge, as well as an ability to combine innovation with policing to create intelligent action.

We:

• Pride our self on demonstrating leadership and agility in a dynamic operating environment;
• Are intelligence-led, ethically and values-driven, embracing diversity and inclusion;
• Value trust, respect, accountability, integrity;
• Are committed to excellence in service to the Australian community and in working with each other; and
• Have the brightest minds to play a critical role in protecting Australia and Australians by outsmarting serious, complex, international and organised crime.

To continue as one of the most adaptive, effective and advanced police forces in the world, the AFP is seeking suitably qualified professional for the role of General Counsel Corporate.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions of service which will be negotiated with the successful applicant, under an AFP Senior Executive employment contract, including salary, airline lounge membership, fitness/health allowance, annual health assessments and employer superannuation benefits.

What will you do?

General Counsel Corporate (GCC) is responsible for the provision of / supervising the provision of legal advice to the AFP Senior Executive and business/functional areas on employment and industrial relations law, civil litigation, commercial law, administrative law, privacy and governance matters. GCC is also responsible for overseeing all Freedom of Information (FOI) decision making on behalf of the AFP.

GCC is responsible for working collaboratively with Chief Counsel, General Counsel Operations, General Counsels Criminal Assets Litigation (CAL) North and South and the practice management team to maintain consistency across Chief Counsel Portfolio in practice and procedure as well as service delivery.

Reporting directly to the Chief Counsel, and working collaboratively with the Chief Counsel Portfolio leadership team, GCC is responsible for:

• leading a team that delivers independent, high quality, timely and practical legal advice that contributes to AFP outcomes and appropriately manages legal risk;
• leading and managing the operations and outcomes of the AFP Legal Corporate Team, including strategic, matter and resource management, and attraction, retention and development of staff;
• managing financial resources effectively, acting as an informed and accountable purchaser of legal services on behalf of the AFP and managing external legal service provider arrangements;
• Building and sustaining productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure cooperative, solution-focused legal service delivery aligned with the AFP strategic outcomes;
• promoting organisational objectives, ethics and values in the delivery of high quality, timely legal services; and
• exercising delegations in accordance with relevant legislation and AFP governance.

The successful applicant must also be able to demonstrate:

• substantial technical expertise in the delivery of complex legal services;
• exemplary leadership and management skills, including leading a team of lawyers, paralegals, support staff and contractors;
• exceptional judgment, problem solving skills and personal efficiency;
• compliance with AFP values and political acumen; and
• an understanding of the AFP business and where the AFP sits within the broader law enforcement and security system.

All AFP appointees ensure that the achievement of outcomes is in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance instruments.

Essential Requirements

• Must be an Australian citizen; 
• Tertiary qualifications in law.
• Negative Vetting Level 2 (Top Secret) security clearance or have the ability to obtain one;
• A current practicing certificate or the ability to obtain one;
• Minimum 8 years post admission experience;
• Experience working in a national security environment.
• Experience in delivering complex legal advice, including in relation to Commonwealth employment and industrial relations law, civil litigation, commercial law, administrative law, privacy or governance matters, as well as significant FOI experience.

Our Ideal Candidate

As a senior executive leader within the AFP you will:

• Be a strong leader with behaviours that demonstrate courage, collaboration, a focus on people and a commitment to identifying and addressing emerging challenges and risks;
• Balance short-term priorities with continued focus on long-term strategic priorities;
• Deliver on AFP corporate strategic direction;
• Promote diversity in your decisions and inclusion in your actions;
• Be an excellent leader, taking an active interest in the growth and wellbeing, behaviours and capabilities of your people;
• Harness an enterprise-focussed approach to strategic and operational issues;
• Be committed to excellence, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and continuous learning, and have a strong record of achievement in leading people and managing resources;
• Have excellent stakeholder relationship skills, including the ability to provide insightful, persuasive and trusted advice to a diverse range of senior stakeholders; including across government;
• Be forward thinking and self-motivated, driving operational and service delivery excellence, modelling the AFP’s leadership behaviours; and
• Demonstrate capability in-line with the SES Band 1 Work Level Standards

Additional Information

The AFP is part of Department of Home Affairs and works closely with a range of other law enforcement and government agencies at state, territory, Commonwealth and international levels, outsmarting crime, enhancing safety and providing a secure regional and global environment. The Corporate Plan is a legislative requirement under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It sets out the AFP’s purpose, priorities, environmental context, the activities it undertakes, how performance is measured and the management approach to risk.

The plan is a rolling four-year plan and is updated annually. It is aligned with the outcome statements, program and performance information presented in the AFP Portfolio Budget Statements. Performance against the plan and the PBS is reported in the Annual Report.

• The role is located in Canberra however, consideration may be given to undertaking these roles from other capital cities such as Melbourne or Sydney, with an expectation of regular travel to Canberra. 

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch. Provide a two-page pitch (max 1000 words) outlining why you are attracted to the role and what you bring to the role. The two-page pitch should include examples of your ability to demonstrate capability in line with the SES Band 1 Work Level Standards.

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Contact Officer:  Chief Counsel Samantha Nichol,

Contact Officer Phone:  02 5127 4077, ​

Contact Officer Email:  Samantha.Nichol@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 22/06/2025.Late applications will not be considered without the explicit approval of the Selection Committee chair.

To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au