About us 

The Department of Government Services (DGS) was established on 1 January 2023 to improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. We bring important day-to-day services together in one department to make things easy and seamless for Victorians and businesses. We are doing this by connecting and digitising our systems and platforms across state and local government as well as streamlining our corporate and procurement services.  

About the role  

This role offers a unique and exciting opportunity to make a significant impact on the experience Victorians have when they do business and interact with Government.

At DGS, the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is a dynamic team of professionals who are driven to achieve legally sound and pragmatic outcomes that improve everyone's experience of doing business and interacting with the Victorian government. As a team, we promote a supportive, flexible, collegiate and high-performing work environment, and also place emphasis on ensuring we enjoy working together. 

The Deputy General Counsel is a new role and will fulfil an important senior leadership role within OGC, working closely with the General Counsel to manage and lead OGC in delivering strategic, authoritative and high-calibre legal advice to the Ministers, the Secretary, Deputy Secretaries, and other departmental entities on intricate and complex legal and policy matters, as well as supporting the delivery of DGS' freedom of information and privacy functions. 

About you

The successful applicant for this role will be able to demonstrate:  

• Extensive leadership and management experience at a senior level, with a proven ability to lead and motivate a high performing team and to nurture a positive workplace environment.
• Highly developed conceptual and analytical skills and a proven ability to provide sophisticated, authoritative, concise, solutions-focused advice on complex legal and policy matters arising in the operations of the Executive Government.
• A proven ability to work in a sustained way and deliver results under pressure.
• A truly collaborative approach to working with a range of stakeholders, coupled with highly developed and proven communication, relationship management and negotiation skills.

Moreover, the ideal candidate will embrace the opportunity to make a direct and valuable contribution to OGC and the important policy objectives of DGS.

For specific responsibilities please review the attached position description. 

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia. 

How to apply 

Apply before the advertised closing date 11:59pm on 20^th October 2024. All applications should include: 

• a resume; and 
• a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) 

All applications will need to be submitted through one of the following platforms; Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) website, Victorian Government careers website (Careers.vic), Seek or LinkedIn. Applications will not be accepted via email.

In accordance with the Jobs and Skills Exchange Policy, Victorian Public Service employees are required to apply via the JSE for primary consideration access.

For further information, please contact Penny Alexander, General Counsel at penny.alexander@dgs.vic.gov.au.

Other relevant information 

The department is committed to providing and maintaining a working environment which is safe and without risk to the health of its employees and clients and consistent with the department's obligations under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OH&S Act), to support this DGS has a COVID-19 Vaccination policy which strongly recommends all DGS employees be fully vaccinated.  

Preferred candidates will be required to complete a Pre-employment Declaration and Consent Form. Employment of successful candidates will be subject to a National Police Check. 

DGS actively promotes diversity, inclusion and an equal opportunity workplace. We welcome applicants from all diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All roles at DGS can be worked flexibly, however it may differ from role to role.