The Organisation The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things - they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient. We seek to reflect the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. The opportunity Are you seeking a career within an intelligence agency where you can contribute and make a difference to the security of Australia? An exciting opportunity exists for suitably qualified senior lawyers to fill Assistant Director roles. As an Assistant Director within Legal Services, you will work in a dynamic and rewarding team environment with exceptional lawyers. You will have the opportunity to perform complex, sensitive and significant work with a degree of independence. Assistant Directors are emerging leaders within the Legal Services Division, and contribute to the Division's positive, collaborative and inclusive culture by exhibiting ASIO's leadership behaviours of being purpose-focused, enterprise minded, accountable, empowering and inclusive. Our Assistant Directors work across a number of practice areas: Dispute resolution Assessment and vetting law Corporate, commercial and employment law Operations law You will receive ongoing training and professional development as well as experience across the practice. Led by ASIO's General Counsel, ASIO's Legal Services Division is a professional legal practice providing expert legal advice and support to internal client areas to support ASIO's operational and corporate functions. In addition, Legal Services works closely with the Australian Government Solicitor to manage ASIO's representation and involvement in legal proceedings in courts and tribunals, including in accordance with the Legal Services Directions. The Division works with international and domestic partners including law enforcement, intelligence agencies and other Commonwealth and state departments. A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months. Please note that these roles are primarily based in Canberra. There may be opportunities in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney subject to organisational and operational requirements The key duties of the position include Role responsibilities As an Assistant Director in Legal Services, you will play an important leadership role and foster and maintain a positive and collaborative work environment, while providing advice to support ASIO in performing its statutory and corporate functions and exercising its powers consistent with applicable legal frameworks. Your responsibilities will include: the provision of legal advice to ASIO staff in areas of the law such as: statutory interpretation national security law administrative law criminal law and law enforcement employment law and workplace relations commercial law legislation development dispute resolution. preparation and review of legal documentation. in the dispute resolution team - managing ASIO's involvement in litigation in accordance with the Commonwealth's Legal Services Directions. mentoring, supervising and reviewing the work of junior legal staff. engaging with Legal Services colleagues, client areas, and external colleagues. liaison with external legal services providers. supporting the Director of the team and Legal Services senior management in relation to governance, reporting, and other corporate functions. What you will bring We invite applications from people with the following attributes: Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and consult stakeholders proactively. A strong client focus providing practical approaches to complex legal and policy issues in an evolving and uncertain environment. Strong oral and written communication skills. Innovative thinking with strong strategic awareness, including with a demonstrated ability to identify legal risk. Experience in mentoring and developing staff to foster a supportive team environment. Experience in providing legal services, ideally in a government, operational, law enforcement, regulatory, investigative or prosecutorial environment/context. Familiarity with, or the ability to quickly become familiar with, national security legislation and environment and one or more of the areas of law listed above in role responsibilities.
