Employment Opportunities: Grants and Legal Information Manager

The Law and Justice Foundation of NSW is an independent statutory body that works to improve access to justice, particularly for disadvantaged people. We support selected projects and aim to increase the accessibility of plain language legal information to the community.

We seek to appoint a Grants & Legal Information Manager. Responsibilities of this role include management of the Foundation’s Grant Program and the Legal Information strategy and ensuring both programs work in an integrated way to contribute to the achievement of the Foundation’s objects.

Legal, Social Science or other relevant tertiary qualifications, relevant knowledge and experience, high level project management skills and knowledge of plain language legal information publishing are essential. The applicant must also have excellent communications skills, be sensitive to stakeholders’ needs and have a good understanding of community and NFP organisations. Knowledge of the justice sector in NSW and of current activities in relation to the law would be an advantage.

Salary range: $75–95K + super, depending on qualifications and experience. Flexible, family-friendly workplace. Full-time position.

Applicants should address the selection criteria below (available below or from Richard Wood, 02 8227 3200). Applications, including a curriculum vitae, should be received by Wednesday 7 April 2010, via email to

or mail to:

Overview and purpose of position
The Grants & Legal Information Manager manages both the Foundation’s Grants Program and Legal Information strategy to ensure:

The Grants program is accessible, transparent, efficient and effective
The Foundation makes a valuable and capacity-building contribution to facilitate the availability of understandable legal information to the community.
Both programs work in an integrated way to contribute to the achievement of the Foundation’s objectives.

Salary range: $75–$95K + super, dependent on qualifications and experience

Responsible to: Director

Duties

Manage the Grants Program, in particular to:

Supervise the receipt and processing of grant applications
Maintain and manage the necessary internal processes and ensure the proper consideration of all applications
Facilitate the merit assessment of the applications in the light of guidelines, previous grants, commentators’ responses, and knowledge of resources available in the community, and to advise the Director accordingly
Liaise with the applicant, commentators and other interested parties
In consultation with the Director, prepare necessary grant applications and other reports for presentation to the Board with a recommendation as to funding
Take necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the decisions of the Director and the Board
Monitor and report to the Board and Director on the progress on grants currently supported by the Foundation
Manage the evaluation strategy for the Grants Program and the evaluation of individual grants
Ensure accuracy of Grants Management System database
Authorise Grant payments
Take part in project development and management as required by and in consultation with the Director and other staff
Develop and draft policies in consultation with the Director
Represent the Law and Justice Foundation in consultation with the Director
Supervise any other staff involved in the Grants process

Manage the Legal Information strategy of the Foundation by:

Providing advice to legal information grant applicants and assessing assisting legal information grant applications
Developing and maintaining tools, guidelines or other strategies to support the availability of understandable legal information to the community.
Participating in and supporting networks to increase the dissemination of understandable legal information
Maintaining currency and familiarity with literature on and activity in Australia relating to plain language legal information.
Undertaking efficient, relevant and timely information retrieval in relation to projects undertaken and project proposals or ideas that might be generated
Supervise other staff working on the Legal Information strategy

Skills/Selection Criteria

Essential

Tertiary qualifications in law, social sciences or other relevant discipline and relevant knowledge and experience
Understanding of the nature and role of community and NFP organisations
High level project management skills including a demonstrated adherence to principles of clear, transparent, accountable project management
The ability to represent the Foundation at a senior level
A commitment to assessment of the effectiveness of grants awarded through appropriate evaluation
Knowledge of plain language legal information publishing
Ability to:

Communicate at a high level — both in writing and speaking
Respond with tact and sensitivity to stakeholders
Organise and plan efficiently and effectively
Work harmoniously with others and be a highly effective team player
Work under pressure, operate within set timelines and meet deadlines
Exercise initiative and judgement
Supervise other staff

Desirable

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 management of a grants program including procedures and policies
Experience in conducting evaluations of the effectiveness of a wide range of projects
Experience in the design, development and/or conduct of community legal education programs.
Experience working in public and private organisations with exposure to the community sector, government, university and/or legal sectors