Position Description

Administration Officer | Policy Division

October 2017

Background

The Law Council of Australia is the peak national representative body of the Australian legal profession. It represents the Australian legal profession on national and international issues, on federal law and the operation of federal courts and tribunals. It works for the promotion of justice, the rule of law and general improvement of the law.

The Law Council is a federal organisation representing over 65,000 Australian lawyers through their Bar Associations and Law Societies and the Large Law Firm Group (the ‘Constituent Bodies’).

The Constituent Bodies of the Law Council are:

  • Australian Capital Territory Bar Association
  • Law Society of the Australian Capital Territory
  • New South Wales Bar Association
  • Law Society of New South Wales
  • Northern Territory Bar Association
  • Law Society of the Northern Territory
  • Bar Association of Queensland
  • Queensland Law Society
  • Law Society of South Australia
  • South Australia Bar Association
  • Law Society of Tasmania
  • The Tasmanian Bar
  • The Victorian Bar
  • Law Institute of Victoria
  • Western Australian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Western Australia
  • Law Firms Australia

The Directors of the Law Council are selected by and representative of the Constituent Bodies. The Directors meet quarterly and set the objectives and priorities for the Law Council as well as determining its position on legal policy issues. Between Directors’ meetings, policy and governance responsibility for the Law Council is exercised by an elected Executive, led by the President.

The Law Council is administered by full-time secretariat staff based in Canberra, under the direction of the Law Council’s CEO.

Job Description

The Administration Officerwill play a pivotal role in the Policy Division and will provide high level administrative support to the Director of Policy and senior members of the Division.

The Administration Officerwill support the staff within the Policy Division by providing secretariat support to a number of committees, arranging meetings and briefings, and the coordination ofinterstate travel and accommodation for staff within the Policy Division and a large number of committee and working groups.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Provide assistance to the Director of Policy, or his designate, with day to day administrative tasks including drafting of routine correspondence, first point of contact for policy enquiries, responding to emails, diary management and financial reconciliation;
  • Work closely with the Director of Policy in planning, coordinating and managing his/her activities, diaries and travel schedules;
  • Under the direction of the Director of Policy, facilitate the overall coordination of submissions including formatting, proofing and dispatch;
  • Arrange domesticairline and accommodation bookings through the Law Council’s on-line travel provider, ensuring appropriate approvals and cost codes via Travel Forms or emails (from internally-approved sources) for the Policy Division staff and committee/working group members;
  • Coordinate the logistics of the Policy Division committee meetings including sourcing of venues, catering, AV and attendance lists;
  • Assist the Senior Policy Lawyers with agenda preparation and the taking and transcribing of minutes;
  • Maintain a high standard of service to members and clients and promoting a positive image by displaying friendly, courteous and effective customer service;
  • Provide reception duties to cover planned absences of the Corporate Support Officer; and
  • Other duties as required.

Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:

  • superior attention to detail;
  • ability to multi-task and work under pressure with good organisational skills;
  • knowledge of on-line travel providers, travel destinations and a logical, mature approach to making bookings within the LCA approved Travel Policy;
  • excellent communication skills, flexibility and be able to interact with the Law Council's clients and stakeholders, and the Secretariat staff with ease;
  • have proficiency in computer skills including Microsoft office and excel.
  • Minimum three years’ experience working in a similar office environment.

Attitude and Behaviours

As your role within the Law Council includes operating as part of a team, you are expected to work as a team member, show appropriate behaviours and respect to all our employees, and work with a spirit of co-operation.

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