About the role: 

• Reporting to the Specialist Privacy Lead, the Solicitor will support the Privacy Team which plays a central role in supporting the department to protect clients' privacy and support the sharing of information to help make Victorian health care safer and better for all patients.
• The Solicitor will provide legal advice to the Ministers, the Secretary, the Department of Health and relevant Administrative Offices on a range of privacy and information sharing issues. The Solicitor will take ownership of, and identify opportunities to ensure that, privacy templates, registers and other resources are up to date and optimised for purpose.
• The successful applicant will ideally have experience in providing legal and policy advice to government in compliance with the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014, and relevant enabling legislation.
• It is expected the successful applicant will possess conceptual, analytical and problem solving skills, combined with a flexible approach.
• Experience advising in relation to the Health Records Act 2001 and in the conduct of privacy impact assessments and technology-based agile project management would be well regarded.

About us: 

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected. 

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all. 

How you'll make a difference:

• Provide well-reasoned legal advice, briefings and correspondence.
• Collaborate with departmental colleagues to deliver client focused legal services.
• Prepare briefs and instruct counsel and contracted solicitors on the State Government Legal Panel.
• Maintain a good understanding of privacy and information sharing issues impacting health service sectors, as well as Commonwealth and State legislative and policy directions.
• Effectively identify and report high risk matters or possible system-wide improvements stemming from privacy breaches.
• Support the review and development of threshold privacy assessments and privacy impact assessments.

To learn more please click ‘Apply' to view the Position Description on the Careers.vic website. 

What we offer: 

• The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
• A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
• A strong commitment to work-life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

How to apply: 

Applications should include a resume and a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages). Click the ‘Apply' button to view further information about the role including key contact details and the advertisement closing date. 

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. 

All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at inclusion@health.vic.gov.au. For more information on our commitment to inclusion and diversity see inclusion and diversity at the Department of Health.

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre-employment checks including proof of 3 vaccinations (including booster) against COVID-19. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence, in line with our Privacy Policy. 

The Jobs and Skills Exchange (JSE) Recruitment Policy allows for priority consideration for employees who apply through the Jobs Skills Exchange (JSE) jobs board platform. As such, these employees are strongly encouraged to submit their application through the JSE.