Litigation Lawyer
Sydney, NSW, AU
Job Details
EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time; Temporary Full time for a period of 24 months
LOCATION - NSW
AFP BAND & SALARY - Legal Broadband 4-5 $98,601.62 - $125,570.94 plus 15.4% superannuation (this figure includes a 22% composite which specifically applies to this position, if you move roles the new position’s salary may not have the composite included). The base salary range is $80,821.00 - $102,927.00.
JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 13758
This advertisement is to fill a current vacancy and create a merit pool 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 mandatory leave rest days per year
- 18 days of paid personal leave per year
- Generous superannuation of 15.4%
- 16 weeks of paid maternity leave (after 12 months of service) + an additional 36 weeks of maternity leave without pay
- 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?
Applications are sought from dynamic, motivated and experienced individuals wishing to be considered for positions as Litigation Lawyers in the Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce in Sydney. The position is at the Band 4 or 5 level and would suit lawyers with up to 4 years post admission experience. You must be admitted as an Australian legal practitioner and hold a practicing certificate (or be eligible to obtain one) at the time of commencement.
The AFP-led Criminal Assets Confiscation Taskforce adopts a coordinated and proactive approach to the confiscation of assets related to Commonwealth crime. It brings together expertise in investigations, litigation, intelligence, forensic accounting and other specialist resources and representatives from key partner agencies including the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), Australian Border Force (ABF) and Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC). The main aim of the Taskforce is to enhance the identification of criminal assets and benefits derived from crime, and to pursue their confiscation.
Criminal Assets Litigation (CAL) is a key part of the Taskforce and teams of Litigation Lawyers are co-located with Taskforce investigators. CAL is responsible for conducting civil litigation on behalf of the Commissioner under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) and for international referrals under the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth), as well as providing legal advice to the Taskforce and the Commissioner on proceeds of crime matters. The CAL team provides high quality, cost effective in-house professional litigation services to the Commissioner and litigation lawyers regularly appear for the Commissioner, and instruct counsel, in the Supreme Court of NSW and other States and Territories as required. CAL Information Management sits within CAL and has responsibility for overseeing the practices compliance with relevant information management governance, as well as training and capability uplift across the practice.
In this role you will also be required to contribute to the achievement of outcomes in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. It is expected that the successful applicant will deliver on the core responsibilities and meet any requirements of the position outlined below.
What will you do?
Your role with have two aspects. First, you will work on litigation matters in the Courts for the AFP as in-house solicitor on the record, progressing dynamic, cutting-edge litigation aimed at confiscating criminal assets and benefits derived from unlawful activity. The litigation is civil in nature and conducted pursuant to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) or the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987 (Cth), amongst other legislation.
Your duties in this regard may include:
- Conducting or supervising complex Commonwealth proceeds of crime litigation on behalf of the Commissioner;
- Researching legal matters and preparing legal advice and assistance to the Criminal Assets Confiscation taskforce concerning the litigation of Commonwealth proceeds of crime matters;
- Representing the AFP in negotiations and meetings with other parties or their legal representatives in relation to proceeds of crime litigation involving the AFP; and
- Appearing for the AFP or instructing counsel, and assisting in the conduct of proceeds of crime matters as required.
Second, you will work to help deliver knowledge management products that provide practical support to CAL litigators for outcome delivery in a nationally consistent way and build a culture of knowledge sharing across the practice. This work is directed to meeting the conditions of the Attorney-General’s approval under the Legal Services Directions for the AFP to use in-house lawyers to conduct proceeds of crime litigation as solicitor on the record.
Your duties in this regard may include:
- Applying technical knowledge and experience to develop and organise training and continuing legal education seminars (including the annual CAL National Conference) to increase the capability of CAL lawyers;
- Develop and maintain practice knowledge capture tools;
- Developing precedent documents and guidance for use by CAL lawyers;
- Engaging with other areas of the AFP and external providers to implement technological solutions to increase the efficiency of the practice; and
- Assist with auditing of compliance with information management governance.
Essential Requirements
- You must be an Australian Citizen at the time of application.
- A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
- Tertiary qualifications in law and possess contemporary relevant legal knowledge and experience.
- Hold or be able to obtain a practising certificate as an Australian Legal Practitioner.
- Maintain currency in legal knowledge and skills through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process.
Desirable Requirements
- Commitment to, and some experience in, knowledge management.
- Project management skills.
- Ability to collate, manipulate and present data.
Additional Information
- This role is located in Sydney NSW and applicants are expected to be based in Sydney.
- Ongoing and Temporary full time for a period of 24 months.
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 2017- 2020, an employee who is required to work in accordance with the Operations working pattern will receive a Core Composite of 22% in addition 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
- Organising your work, making sound decisions and achieving outcomes
- Communicating and working effectively with other people
- Applying technical knowledge, expertise and skills
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 (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.
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.
- Proof of a minimum of two COVID-19 vaccinations (or one dose if the Janssen vaccine was used) will be required if an offer of employment is made.
- 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 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 you 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 LGBTQI community and people with a disability.
Contacts and Closing Information
Contact Officer - Steven Davidson,
Contact Officer Phone: (02) 5126 3464,
Contact Officer Email: Steven.Davidson@afp.gov.au
Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 25/11/2024
To view other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.