Legal Team Leader - AFP Legal Operations

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time; Temporary Full time for a period of up to 24 months

LOCATION - ACT; NSW; VIC

AFP BAND & SALARY - Band 08 ($127,101.00 - $138,349.00) plus additional remuneration of $14,000 per annum. This position also attracts a 22% composite*

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 14446

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.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

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 including:

• Six weeks (30 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 4 extra days of mandatory rest leave per year
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement 
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

Chief Counsel Portfolio

The AFP's Chief Counsel Portfolio (CCP) is a dynamic, professional, diverse and interesting legal practice, underpinned by our commitment to AFP values and desire to foster a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

The CCP is comprised of:

• the Chief Counsel Office;
• AFP Legal (which is AFP Legal Operations Team and AFP Legal Corporate Team); and
• Criminal Assets Litigation (CAL) (which is CAL North Team and CAL South Team).

The portfolio is geographically dispersed across six capital cities. The Portfolio is managed by the Chief Counsel and each legal team is managed by a General Counsel.

AFP Legal Operations

The AFP Legal Operations Team is responsible for the provision of high quality, cost effective professional legal services that directly support the operational law enforcement activities of the AFP. This includes:

• Providing advice to investigators on Commonwealth powers and offences.
• Providing support to large scale and long running operations through provision of dedicated legal support.
• Reviewing and updating operational procedures based on Commonwealth legislation.
• Providing advice on international and inter-jurisdictional operational issues.
• Providing advice and support on the conduct of national security litigation.
• Providing advice on and support to the conduct of prosecutions, including sufficiency of evidence, disclosure and protection of sensitive information.
• Liaising with the CDPP on prosecutorial issues. 

What will you do?

Applications are sought from suitably qualified applicants wishing to be considered for the role of Legal Team Leader - AFP Legal Operations (Band 8).

As a Team Leader you also play a pivotal role in developing people, managing change and influencing behaviours that lead to a supportive culture that respects the perspectives, talents and value of each individual. Consistent with the AFP values, AFP leadership philosophy, organisational reform agendas, AFP corporate business plans and your Performance Development Agreement, the expectation is that you will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position as outlined below.

The role of Legal Team Leader in AFP Legal requires strong management and leadership skills. Coupled with this, the role requires substantial technical expertise, including the ability to provide timely, well-written and accurate legal advice across:

• Operations and counter terrorism including in relation to police powers, criminal offences, national security, information protection including public interest immunity, legal professional privilege and subpoenas, enduring risk litigation and evidence management.

The Legal Team Leader Operations is expected to:

• Supervise a diverse team (including geographically diverse teams where appropriate) including lawyers with different levels of experience;
• Manage the team’s workflow and priorities to align with Chief Counsel Portfolio (CCP), AFP Legal and AFP priorities;
• Conduct, and/or manage/supervise complex matters with minimal supervision;
• Represent the AFP in high level discussions and negotiations with external stakeholders;
• Actively progress legislative, governance and policy development;
• Actively contribute to, encourage and influence the team’s contribution to, knowledge and information management initiatives; and
• Collaborate with Coordinators, General Counsels and Chief Counsel to achieve CCP objectives and support the broader organisation strategic direction.

For a full list of duties and responsibilities, please refer to the candidate pack.

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
• A Negative Vetting 1 (NV1) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• All applicants must hold a current practising certificate.
• Demonstrated experience in a relevant area of the law.

Desirable Requirements

The following skills and/or experience would be highly regarded:

• Minimum AFP Band level 7 (equivalent to APS EL1).
• Minimum of 5 years post admission experience.

Additional Information

• This role is located in ACT, NSW & VIC. You will be asked to select your preferred location.
• This role attracts a composite allowance in recognition of expanded working hours, normal patterns of attendance and shift patterns (such as afternoon shifts, weekends and Designated Public Holidays) that are required under the Operations working pattern. In accordance with the AFP Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027, an employee who is required to work in accordance with the Operations working pattern will receive a Core Composite of 22% in additional to their Base Salary which will count as salary for superannuation. The Commissioner has the authority to remove a composite from a role.

Selection Criteria

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity

Application

As part of your application you are required to submit the following documents via the AFPs Recruitment System (MyCareer) 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 (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role.
• External applicants please ensure you meet our employment suitability before submitting an application.

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

Employment Suitability

All external applicants must complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire should you successfully progress from the application stage. 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. We encourage you to review our Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) to ensure that you meet the requirements before you submit your application.

The AFP Recruitment Team will be in touch to let you know if you'll need to provide the following additional information:

• A completed Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ);
• Traffic history for the last 10 years; and
• Proof of Australian citizenship.

Applicants will not receive feedback at this gateway.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application may be invited to 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: Andrew Kelly,

Contact Officer Phone: (02) 5126 3713, ​

Contact Officer Email: andrew.kelly@afp.gov.au

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEST) 15/05/2025

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

www.afp.gov.au