Location:	Burwood East
Category:	Legal
Position Type:	Fixed Term - Full Time
Job Reference:	ESTA/1626064
Attachments:	PD - Office of the CEO - Legal Counsel - FOI and Privacy.docx (Word, 102KB)
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Legal Counsel – FOI and Privacy 

• Challenging legal role, positively impacting the community
• Flexible working environment within a high performing team
• New, Fixed term full-time position for 2 years

About ESTA

ESTA is the critical link between the Victorian community and the state's emergency services agencies and it partners with the agencies to improve service delivery to the community. It provides Victoria's 24-hour emergency call-taking and dispatch services for police, fire, ambulance and VICSES and manages the provision of advanced, operational communications for police, ambulance, fire services and the SES.  ESTA'S vision is to be a high-performing team trusted by the community and our partners to deliver the right emergency response. ESTA's central goal is to save lives and prevent harm through speed and accuracy in emergency operations.

About the role

ESTA is seeking a Legal Counsel – FOI and Privacy to support the General Counsel and Board Secretary and the wider ESTA legal team to contribute to strategic decision making and legal risk management across the organisation.

You will work with internal stakeholders at all levels within the organisation and provide expert legal advice on a broad range of complex legal issues, particularly in the areas of privacy, data protection and requests for information; inter-governmental relationships and data sharing agreements; and disputes/breaches.  

This role operates within a complex stakeholder environment in the emergency management sector. The Legal Counsel – FOI and Privacy will identify innovative solutions to balance stakeholder requirements and ensure ESTA's compliance with legislative, public sector regulatory and policy frameworks.

About you

To be considered for this fantastic opportunity, you will have:

• Qualifications as an Australian lawyer holding a current unrestricted Australian practising certificate under the Legal Profession Uniform Law (Victoria), with a minimum of 7 years' post qualification experience.
• Significant experience in providing high level and authoritative oral and written advice, which is clear and practical.
• Significant experience advising on privacy and data protection, including dealing with data breaches. Experience with litigation, dispute management and health information laws would also be highly valued.
• A strong understanding of the interrelationship of privacy laws and areas such as data governance, IT security, risk management and project/procurement frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively both independently and in a multi-disciplinary team environment, with tight timeframes and manage a number of projects simultaneously.
• The ability to work well autonomously and provide guidance and mentoring to the FOI and Information Access officers at ESTA.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Victoria's emergency management arrangements and experience working within an Emergency Services Organisation is desirable.

What we can offer you

• A job that's challenging and exciting
• A role that makes a vital contribution to the Victorian community through a high-performance workforce
• Belong to a connected and highly supportive team
• Competitive pay and benefits
• Flexible working arrangements to work around our business needs and your lifestyle

Important Information

The successful applicant must satisfy the National Police Records Check standard that includes fingerprinting.

In accordance with the Public Health Directions issued by the Chief Health Officer, ESTA must comply with employer obligations regarding mandatory COVID 19 vaccinations for authorised workers. If you are successful in gaining employment with ESTA you will be required to provide evidence of your vaccination against COVID 19.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare a statement outlining their expression of interest.   This statement should outline why you are interested in the role as well as addressing the selection criteria outlined in the position description.

Click the 'apply' button to be taken to ESTA's online application portal.   

Applications will close at midnight on Sunday 5 June 2022.