Employment Opportunity - Project Manager - New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF)

Part-time 21 Hours per week

The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW seeks to appoint a part-time Project Manager to provide secretariat and project management support to the New South Wales Legal Assistance Forum (NLAF). NLAF (www.nlaf.org.au) seeks to improve the delivery of legal assistance services to socially and economically disadvantaged people through a collaborative and strategic approach by service providers. Relevant tertiary qualifications in law, social sciences or other relevant discipline, project management experience, knowledge of current and emerging issues in the Australian justice system, as well as an understanding of the justice sector in NSW are essential. High level analytical skills and judgement are required.

Salary will be in the range $66,500 to $80,000 pa pro rata plus Super, dependent on qualifications and experience. Secondments will be considered.

Applications should systematically address the selection criteria (available below or from Richard Wood, 02 8227 3200, ), include a curriculum vitae and be received by Friday 27 November 2009 by email or post to:

Overview and purpose of position

The NSW Legal Assistance Forum has been established to continuously improve the delivery of legal assistance services to socially and economically disadvantaged people through a more collaborative and strategic approach to their design, planning, delivery and evaluation by legal assistance service providers in NSW. This will be achieved through a range of strategies including promoting dialogue and debate, consultation, identifying and incorporating the best available research, and collaboration and networking.

Member organisations are:

Legal Aid NSW
Community Legal Centres NSW
The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW / ACT Limited
The NSW Bar Association
The Law Society of NSW
The Department of Justice and Attorney General NSW
LawAccess NSW
Public Interest Law Clearing House

The Project Manager provides secretariat and project management support to NLAF.

Responsible to: Director through Knowledge and Information Manager

Duties

Provide secretariat and project management support to NLAF including maintenance of administrative systems, convening quarterly meetings and carrying out actions resulting from these meetings
Facilitate advancement and direction of NLAF in accordance with the Forum's aims and principles
Support and participate in Working and Reference Groups; including providing support to convenors
Progress initiatives identified by NLAF; including identifying emerging issues, collating information and writing discussion papers and reports
Coordinate external communication including maintenance of NLAF web page

General

Comply with Law and Justice Foundation procedures and policies

Skills/Selection Criteria

Tertiary qualifications in law, social sciences or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience
Knowledge of current and emerging issues in the Australian justice system, particularly relating to access for economically or socially disadvantaged people
Knowledge of the participants and process in the justice sector in NSW and of current activities in relation to law and justice
Experience in the government and/or community sector
Experience in supporting networks and working with external clients
High level analytical skills and judgement
Demonstrated ability to:

Manage projects effectively, efficiently and accountably
Communicate at a high level — both in writing and speaking including the ability to respond with tact, discretion and sensitivity to stakeholders
Write reports, plans, minutes, correspondence accurately and accessibly
Work harmoniously with others and be a highly effective team player
Understand legal processes and issues arising in legal service delivery
Work under pressure, operate within project timelines and meet deadlines
Effectively use common office IT applications and the internet.

Desirable

Experience in providing legal services