We are currently recruiting a junior solicitor to help us strengthen our links with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services and clients. Applications are due by 26 March.![]()
Job Description
Position Title: Solicitor – Aboriginal Legal Access Program
Status: Twelve month contract
Hours per week: 28 hours per week (four days) or as negotiated
Salary: SCHCADS Level 4-5 depending on experience. ICLC is currently able to offer salary sacrificing of up to $16,000 per year.
Accountable to: Principal Solicitor
About ICLC
The Inner City Legal Centre (ICLC) is a busy community legal centre based in Kings Cross. We provide free civil, criminal and family law advice to members of our local community (in the inner-city and north shore and northern beaches regions of Sydney) and priority groups across NSW, including LGBTIQ people.
We provide legal services for people experiencing significant barriers to access justice in particular LGBTIQ, sex workers, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, homeless people, people with disabilities and people with low income. ICLC provides specialised legal casework for those who face barriers to justice and in public interest cases. ICLC is committed to building a diverse, inclusive community where everyone feels welcome.
Like many centres, our office was closed for a significant period as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since we have reopened, we have seen increased demand for legal services from across the community.
Role summary
The primary purpose of the Aboriginal Legal Access Program Solicitor is to help connect our front line legal services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients by conducting outreach in the local community.
The ALAP Solicitor will be responsible for developing relationships with members of the local Aboriginal community and the services that support them. This will involve building relationships, offering community legal education, information and referral, and providing simple legal advice. More complex legal matters will be referred back to specialist ICLC solicitors.
The role would suit a recent graduate or junior lawyer with experience in the community sector and a commitment to serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Promote ICLC by participating in local projects and networks which involve local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Develop and maintain relationships with local communities, organisations, services and workers that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our area.
- Participate in community events such as NAIDOC Week and Reconciliation week.
- Provide legal outreach including by offering legal information and appropriate referrals for Aboriginal clients.
- Facilitate access to ICLC for Aboriginal people by acting as a first point of contact and making appropriate referrals to our specialist solicitors.
- Conduct community legal education on the services ICLC provides.
- Assist in developing regular legal outreach clinics for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in an accessible and culturally safe setting.
- Other tasks as requested by the Principal Solicitor.
SELECTION CRITERIA:
Essential
- Eligible to obtain a NSW Practising Certificate.
- Knowledge of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities and understanding of cultural safety, including the ability to interact with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a culturally safe way.
- Capacity to conduct outreach in the community, including in non-legal settings.
- Ability to provide accurate and appropriate legal assistance under supervision and to manage relationships with clients.
- Excellent communication skills, including the capacity to assist clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop and maintain relationships with clients and stakeholders.
- Writing skills for the drafting of legal documents and correspondence.
- Capacity to maintain accurate and well-organised records of advice.
Desirable
- Experience working in a community legal centre or Aboriginal community controlled organisation.
- Experience of community education or public speaking.
- Knowledge of community resources and organisations relevant to the needs of ICLC clients.
- Experience working in inner-city Sydney.
HOW TO APPLY:
- All applications should be in writing and include a CV and statement addressing the selection criteria.
- Applications will be open until at least Friday 26 March 2021, but we encourage interested applications to apply as soon as possible.
- Applications should be sent by email to the Principal Solicitor, Roslyn Cook, at roslyn@iclc.org.au.
- Queries can be directed to Roslyn Cook at the email above or Conor Wakefield by phone to (02) 9332 1966.
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