Careers with ASIO

ASIO

Securing Australia - protecting its people.

Job Vacancies

Assistant Director-General (SES Band 1) Legal Services
Legal
Canberra,Sydney
Ongoing - Permanent
08220242025
$NEG
24-Feb-2025
The Organisation
The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) protects Australia and Australians from threats to their security. In a complex, challenging and changing security environment, our success is built on the imagination and intelligence of our team. ASIO's people are ordinary Australians but they do extraordinary things – they are our most important asset. To be successful in our mission, we need talented people who are highly capable, dedicated, adaptable and resilient.

We seek to reflect the diversity of the community we protect. ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected. We welcome applications from all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are encouraged to apply. We are secretive about what we do, not what we value. Find out more about ASIOs commitment to diversity and inclusion on our website.

The Opportunity
Are you interested in providing expert legal advice on cutting edge issues? Do you want to have a key role in building ASIO's in-house legal capability? Do you want to play a critical role in navigating emerging aspects of National Security law?

ASIO is seeking an outstanding legal leader to join our Legal Services Division. As an Assistant Director-General in Legal Services, you will lead a team providing complex legal advice and other services. You will work with the General Counsel to contribute to the strategic leadership of the division, manage a busy legal practice and work collaboratively with other colleagues to provide coordinated legal services to ASIO.

This is a newly created role which will focus on the provision of legal services relating to Part IV and IVA of the ASIO Act 1979, legal services relating to ASIO's enabling services functions including advice on administrative, commercial and employment matters, and legal advice relating to legislative reform.

Reporting to the General Counsel, the successful applicant will:
  - Lead the provision of clear, accurate and timely written and oral advice on complex legal matters in accordance with legal professional obligations. 
  - Provide professional supervision, management and leadership of a team of lawyers and other professionals providing practical, timely and client focused legal advice and services to clients across ASIO.
  - Represent Legal Services at various forums and collaborate across ASIO and externally on legal and other issues.
  - Be responsible for the leadership of a Branch, modelling high quality leadership and management practices to support a positive workplace culture.
  - Exercise good judgment to balance competing demands for resources and provide a high-quality internal legal service in accordance with the Legal Services Directions 2017.
  - Collaborate across ASIO, and with colleagues across the National Intelligence Community and broader government, on critical legal and other issues.
  - Actively participate in the strategic leadership of the Division, particularly in the fostering and management of change and renewal.

What you will bring
We invite applications from people with the following attributes: 
  - Demonstrated expertise and experience in statutory interpretation and administrative law, and in providing legal advice on complex issues in a government context.
  - A proven track record in leading busy, high performing legal teams and commitment to work as part of a dedicated leadership team.
  - Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and the ability to identify and clearly explain legal issues and risk in a clear and concise matter.
  - A strong commitment to client service, with a focus on valuing different contributions, perspectives and backgrounds.
  - The ability to manage a number of important issues simultaneously and to meet tight deadlines.
  - A focus on supporting ASIO's strategic objectives.

Eligibility 
To be eligible for the role, you must: 
  - Be an Australian citizen.
  - Be assessed as suitable to hold and maintain a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
  - Hold a Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from an Australian university (or comparable overseas qualification) and possess, or be eligible to possess, a current unrestricted practising certificate in your State or Territory of residence.
  - Have at least 10 years post qualification experience, preferably in administrative/government law.

ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where all staff are valued and respected, in order to build a highly capable, innovative and adaptive workforce to achieve our purpose. We welcome and value applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religious affiliation, age or disability. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply. The role is a full-time position but ASIO is open to negotiating job sharing arrangements for suitable part-time candidates.

Reasonable adjustments
ASIO is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment for candidates to participate within all stages of the selection process. These opportunities may include reasonable adjustment to assessment methodologies to enable full participation. 
Please let us know if you require any additional assistance or reasonable adjustments during any stage of the recruitment process in order to fully participate in the recruitment process or the workplace. 

Location
The Assistant Director-General  Legal Services role is located in either Canberra or Sydney, and applicants must be willing to relocate. Relocation assistance is provided to the successful candidate.

What we offer you
ASIO provides a number of benefits to its staff including:
  - A competitive salary, including a 7.5% allowance for maintaining a TOP SECRET-Privileged Access security clearance.
  - Employer superannuation contributions of 15.4%.
  - A variety of leave options, in addition to the standard 4 weeks annual leave to ensure your work-life balance.
  - Flexible working arrangements to assist you to maintain your work-life balance. Please note, due to our unique working environment, work from home options are generally not available.
  - Study assistance, including financial support and study leave for tertiary education.
  - Access to 7 staff-led diversity and inclusion networks.
  - Tailored mentoring opportunities.
  - Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

How to apply
Click on ‘Apply Online' to commence your application. Your application must be complete and include the following:
  - A succinct (up to 1,000 words) statement of claims against the selection criteria, using examples to demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements for the SES Band 1 level, including clearly demonstrating your leadership and legal experience.
  - An up-to-date CV, no more than 2 pages in length.
  - Details of 2 referees, which must include a current or previous manager.

Your statement of claims should refer to ASIO's People Capability Framework and with consideration of the role description and classification level you are applying for.

A merit pool may be created to fill future vacancies which have the same or similar requirements to this position. This merit pool will be valid for up to 18 months.

Closing date and time
Monday 24 February 2025, 5:00pm AEDT

No extensions will be granted and late applications will not be accepted. 

The Recruitment Selection Process – what to expect
We thank all applicants for their interest in applying for the Assistant Director-General Legal Services role. Please be advised that our selection process is rigorous and extensive. 

All employment decisions and selection processes at ASIO are based on merit principles and candidates must be prepared to undergo various selection stages. The stages themselves may include; application submission, eligibility checks, online testing, skills-based assessment and panel discussion.

ASIO holds all employment applications in the strictest of confidence. It is essential that you do the same. Please do not discuss your application with others as doing so may adversely affect your potential employment.

We ask all applicants for their patience throughout the process. Once complete, we will notify unsuccessful candidates but will not provide feedback on any aspect of the selection process.

Employment conditions
Employment is under the ASIO Act 1979. Conditions of service are similar to those applying in the Australian Public Service. We recognise entitlements accrued under the Public Service Act 1999 and provide for continuation of superannuation under the Commonwealth schemes. Salary packaging arrangements are also available.

Enquiries
If you require further information after reading the selection documentation, please contact ASIO Recruitment at careers@asio.gov.au or phone 02 6263 7888.

More information
For more information about ASIO, please visit: www.asio.gov.au