Principal Solicitor - Melbourne, Australia - Department of Health

Description

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We're focused on supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It's all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

About the role:

2 X Full-time positions available

Reporting to the Director of Dispute Resolution, the Principal Solicitor will form part of the senior management team within the Legal Services and Integrity Branch.The Principal Solicitor role will be responsible for providing high quality, client focused legal advice to departmental stakeholders on high risk or high value matters across a broad range of areas within the health portfolios which may be the subject of significant disputes, claims, prosecutions, litigation or inquiries.

About us:

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

How you'll make a difference:

This will involve advising Ministers, the Secretary, and senior executives at the department, instructing in complex and sensitive litigation involving the department in a wide range of courts and tribunals, responding to external queries and notices raising material legal issues or risks, and preparing high level briefings and correspondence reflecting a strong understanding of cross government legal policy considerations. You will also be required to engage and oversee external legal firms in meeting the needs of Departmental clients for advice and representation in courts, tribunals and inquiries.

Suitable applicants will be able to demonstrate:

• Proven ability to scope, assess and mitigate complex legal risks, develop strategic, pragmatic and responsive solutions and convey complex ideas clearly; works with colleagues to develop options to factor in legal risk or manage or mitigate that risk; demonstrates ability to interpret legislation and strong advisory skills
• Displays good knowledge of government and/or organisational structures, functions, objectives and protocols. Demonstrates an understanding of issues, expectations and pressures that impact on government and the department.
• Strong risk assessment skills and judgement regarding escalation and management of risks
• Uses understanding of political sensitivities to actively champion the project and guides and supports project managers to identify risks and overcome obstacles. Able to sum up complex options and recommends a clear way forward while monitoring the overall project performance against project plans
• Prepares complex briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise an
• Sets clearly defined objectives and priorities and operates accordingly, reviewing and adjusting as required; identifies processes, tasks and resources required to achieve a goal; establishes systems and procedures to guide work and track progress; recognises actual and potential barriers and finds effective ways to deal with themd grammatically correct language; edits written communications to ensure they contain the information necessary to achieve their purpose and meet audience needs; ensures appropriate style and formats are used.
• Demonstrates ability to interpret legislation and strong advisory skills. Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills including the ability to effectively communicate and negotiate sensitive legal issues with a wide range of clients, colleagues and stakeholders in a constructive and purposeful way.
• Strong eye for detail, uses analytical skills to understand drivers of performance, and thinks creatively to develop implementable solutions
• Builds team commitment by demonstrating personal conviction; translates organisational strategy into meaningful long-term plans and objectives for own area of responsibility; motivates others to deliver against goals.
• Understands issues and pressures to which the organisation has to respond; understands the reasons behind the organisational climate and culture
• Has skills and experience in reprioritising, refocussing and redirecting efforts to constantly respond to the evolving strategic needs of the organisation.

To learn more please click 'Apply' to view the Position Description on the website.

What we offer:

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply:

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter. Click the 'Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date.

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians.

All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at Please view our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion here.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks including proof of vaccination against COVID-19. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence, in line with our Privacy Policy.

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform. As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through JSE rather than via external advertisement.