Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel

Premier’s Department/ The Cabinet Office Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel Agency overview The Parliamentary Counsel’s Office (PCO) is headed by the Parliamentary Counsel and is a Public Service executive agency related to The Cabinet Office under the Government Sector Employment Act 2013. The PCO provides a comprehensive and integrated range of high-quality services for the drafting of, and access to, NSW legislation and the giving of advice and information about legislation. About the Role This role manages a drafting program, personally drafts and develops complex draft legislation, provides legislative policy and legal advice to the Government of NSW and other clients.





The role coaches and develops legislative drafters and contributes to the wider management of the office. To learn more about the role please review the Role Description . Key accountabilities Personally draft: complex and other Bills for Acts, amendments in committee and subordinate legislation to support the Office in the delivery of quality legislation to meet the Government’s legislative program, and model, uniform or complementary Australia-wide legislation for the Parliamentary Counsel’s Committee, and Bills and amendments in committee for non-Government Members of Parliament to give effect to their policy. Contribute to the wider management of the office or the achievement of drafting programs through involvement in a designated management activity. The management activity allocated to each Senior Parliamentary Counsel may change over time, depending on the strategic priorities and challenges facing PCO at the time. Examples of activities that may be allocated to this role include:





Contributing to the leadership of the Knowledge Management Program. Taking a lead role in Business Process Committee projects and activities. Assisting a Principal Assistant Parliamentary Counsel or Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel (Programs) with the management of a key drafting program or a component of a key program. Supervise, coach and develop junior drafters to ensure organisational and personal development objectives are achieved. Provide timely, relevant and accurate advice to the Government and other stakeholders to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of new legislation. Contribute to the wider management of the Office by providing support and advice to the Leadership Team and through membership of one of the Office’s committees (currently committees deal with legislative practices,





knowledge management and business processes). Senior Executives may be rotated through the various committees. Key challenges To ensure drafting program outcomes and standards are met, despite often short deadlines and changing priorities, including negotiating with clients to resolve issues and manage potential delays. Producing consistently high-quality draft legislation, using personal experience and ingenuity to develop coherent legislation that accommodates political imperatives while maintaining professional and legal integrity.





Providing professional and impartial advice to clients who have conflicting agendas without betraying the confidences of any and managing the expectations of different Ministries and agencies at the same time as dealing with the identified priority of Bills for the parliamentary session. Essential requirements Is an Australian lawyer who is the holder of, or is eligible to hold, an Australian Practising Certificate. Extensive experience in drafting legislation and knowledge of best practice drafting principles. Detailed knowledge of the law relevant to legislative drafting, including detailed knowledge of the NSW statute book or the ability to rapidly acquire that knowledge. Extensive knowledge of the Government’s legislative and administrative processes and of Parliamentary processes. Experience in managing and leading people and in building relationships across organisations.





Knowledge of planning law and experience in the drafting of environmental planning instruments. How to apply You’ll need to create an account on I Work for NSW and apply online. Your application must include: a resume which clearly details your relevant skills and experience (maximum 5 pages). a cover letter (maximum two pages) including your response to the two targeted questions: Describe your experience in independently drafting and finalising complex legislation, including resolving policy questions, under considerable time pressure. Describe your approach to coaching and mentoring more junior colleagues and how you encourage continuous learning. To help us figure out if you’re the right person for the role, the selection process may include an interview and relevant assessments, and we expect it will take up to 6–8 weeks.





Candidates can request a reasonable adjustment throughout each step of the recruitment process. If you require a reasonable adjustment to the recruitment process, please let us know in your application. If you require any adjustments or alternative formats to participate in the process, please contact the hiring manager. A talent pool may be created from this recruitment process. Once added to the talent pool, you may be contacted about similar ongoing and temporary roles that may become available over the next 18 months. Salary: Senior Executive Band 1.





Total remuneration package will be negotiated upon offer. Closing date: Monday 28 October (9:59 AM) Learn more For enquiries, please contact Mark Reid via email at mark.reidpco.nsw.gov.au

▶️ Senior Assistant Parliamentary Counsel
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