National Executive Director

• Thought leader in the legal assistance sector
• Contribute to the national law reform agenda
• Ensure the legal assistance sector is adequately funded

 
The Position
This newly created role provides leadership for the delivery of high-quality strategic functions that enable National Legal Aid (NLA) to achieve its goals in leading a national system of legal aid that allows disadvantaged individuals to access justice.
Reporting to the Chair, the position will be responsible for driving the implementation of the NLA Strategic Plan 2021-24 and will make an influential contribution to the national legal assistance sector.  Engaging with government, senior stakeholders, community, and legal assistance providers to develop best practice legal assistance, and where possible national legal services and strategic advocacy,
The role will focus on senior stakeholder engagement and planning, establishing national relationships including with senior public servants at the Commonwealth level, and with key related organisations including the Courts as well as strengthening communication and collaboration across the sector.
To be successful you will draw on an understanding of the legal assistance sector or justice systems and offer expertise in developing and implementing strategic priorities through first class stakeholder engagement. With a demonstrated interest in law reform and influential communication skills, you will lead strategic advocacy and tackle complex issues such as service delivery, funding, client experience, and issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Tertiary qualification in law, public policy or a related field is required.
The is an option for the position to be located in any interstate capital city.
 
The Organisation
National Legal Aid represents the eight State and Territory legal aid commissions (LACs), which are independent statutory authorities funded by the Commonwealth and their respective state or territory governments. The current Chair of NLA is the Chief Executive Officer of Victoria Legal Aid. The Chair is currently rotating every two years.
LACs are an integral part of the justice system at the federal level and are a critical component of the legal assistance sector across Australia, in partnership with community legal centres, Aboriginal controlled community organisations and private legal practitioners. LACs provide around 2 million legal services each year.
NLA is supported by a Secretariat function comprised of an Executive Officer and Assistant located in Tasmania and reports to the Director of Tasmania Legal Aid.
For more information about NLA visit: www.nla.org.au
Applications close: Monday 18th July 2022
To apply – please click on ‘APPLY ONLINE’ using reference NLAedx0522, addressing your cover letter and resume to Kate Wheeler of Fisher Leadership, or call 1300 347 437 for further information.