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. Office of the General Counsel The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is part of DGS' Digital Transformation Group. We comprise of 4 teams: Corporate Legislation & Policy Public Law, Disputes & Regulation Freedom of Information & Privacy We also have specialist lawyers within these teams who are dedicated to DGS client areas. These client areas include Births, Deaths & Marriages, Consumer Affairs Victoria, Service Victoria and Worker Screening Unit. We help our clients navigate a variety of legal and policy challenges with technically excellent legal advice and strategic solutions. About the role The Corporate Legal Team is responsible for providing legal advice and in-house counsel to senior Departmental staff and other areas of DGS about a broad spectrum of corporate, commercial and procurement issues affecting the Department, as well as advice and support to the DGS Ministers. The Corporate Legal Team's work includes advising on significant contractual and procurement issues (including State Purchase Contracts), high value commercial transactions, major projects, property and real estate across a number of asset classes, intergovernmental agreements, privacy, data and cyber security, intellectual property and employment and industrial relations advice. Key Accountabilities Providing strategic, risk-based legal advice and counsel on contractual and procurement issues, including by drafting and reviewing contracts and providing general support in relation to tendering. Working independently on multiple complex commercial matters, including the negotiation and finalisation of SPCs, including advising on material departures from transaction documents both prior to and during the evaluation and negotiation phases of the procurement. Providing authoritative advice on complex legal matters. Undertake legal research and analysis on complex legal matters with outstanding drafting skills. Assisting with the preparation of advice, briefs and other documentation on significant legal issues for the DGS Ministers in corporate law in a variety of forums. Develop close, effective and candid relationships with other DJCS groups as well as other departments, agencies and stakeholders. Mandatory requirements You must be admitted to practice as an Australian lawyer and eligible to hold a Victorian practising certificate Key selection criteria Technical legal skills: The ability to analyse complex legal issues, interpret contracts and legislation and develop accurate legal solutions with minimal supervision. Corporate experience: Experience providing legal advice at a senior level in relation to complex commercial transactions, contractual and procurement issues and generalist corporate matters. Demonstrated experience in one or more of: government procurement and contracting, including ICT services, commercial transactions, major projects, property, intergovernmental agreements, privacy, data security, intellectual property and employment and industrial relations advice. 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 10 June 2024. All applications should include: a resume; and a cover letter which addresses the key selection criteria (within three pages) In accordance with the Jobs and Skills Exchange Policy, Victorian Public Service employees are required to apply via the JSE for primary consideration access. 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.