Senior Legal Policy Adviser, Climate Justice Support Unit

The Federation of Community Legal Centres Victoria (the Federation) is a fast-paced and dynamic organisation that leads and supports excellence in the community legal sector, promotes the purpose and value of Community Legal Centres, and advances social justice and a fair legal system. It is the peak body for Victoria’s 47 Community Legal Centres (CLCs), who are at the forefront of helping those facing economic, cultural or social disadvantage and whose life circumstances are severely affected by legal challenges. The Federation’s vision is for a community that is fair, inclusive, and thriving, where every person belongs and can learn, grow, heal, participate and be heard.

The Climate Justice Support Unit (the Unit) is a Federation initiative that supports Victorian CLCs to embed climate and disaster justice in their organisations, within their communities and across the sector. The Unit works together with members to promote just solutions to the challenges posed by climate change, to ensure that affected individuals and communities have access to resources and the support they need.

The Senior Legal Policy Adviser, Climate Justice Support Unit is an exciting new role that will work collaboratively to research, develop and embed climate justice adaptation planning, policy, guidelines and approaches across the community legal sector. The Senior Legal Policy Adviser plays a convening role and works closely with CLCs and partners to promote systemic change through effective advocacy and evidence-based policy solutions. This role provides critical legal research, analysis and advice on climate justice and disaster law and policies; and develops effective legal policy submissions, policy implementation approaches, and best practice service models.

With a strong focus on engagement and collaboration, the Senior Legal Policy Adviser will build and develop collaborative relationships with Victorian CLCs, Community Legal Centres Australia, other relevant state and territory peak bodies, the community sector, the Victorian legal profession, government agency partners and funders.

About YOU

• Australian law degree;
• Sound legal practice experience (or you might be a non-practicing lawyer with experience in demonstrably similar roles or
  transferable skills);
• Demonstrated understanding of climate change and how the law and legal system can impact social disadvantage and inequality;
• An ability to identify and analyse problems, and then develop appropriate solutions and recommendations using analytical and
  conceptual skills;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the capability to describe complex issues in plain language;
• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills; the ability to work collaboratively and build consensus;
• Flexible, adaptive and able to work effectively in a small team and fast-paced environment;
• Solutions-focused, with a strong commitment to social justice and a values alignment with the Federation;
• An ability to exercise initiative, open to change and receptive to new ideas;
• Desirable: Experience working within the climate justice space, community legal sector or a member-based peak body.

The Federation is committed to providing a working environment that is friendly, collaborative and positive. It offers generous salary packaging; flexible work arrangements to support employees with work-life balance; Christmas and New Year shut-down leave; access to an Employee Assistance Program and learning and development opportunities.

The Federation is committed to building a diverse workforce and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disability, people from diverse cultural, linguistic and refugee backgrounds, people of all ages, gender diverse people and LGBTIQA+ people. They welcome applications from people with a diversity of backgrounds and experience, including lived experience of the issues they work on.

APPLY NOW if you are passionate about social justice and climate change, and want to use your legal, policy and advocacy skills to drive social change.

Gembridge is proud to partner with the Federation of Community Legal Centres.

For a confidential discussion, contact Jenni D’Orival on 03 8375 9661 or apply@gembridge.com.au