Employer: Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion

Region: Brisbane

Closing Date: 29 July 2024

Job Description:

Role Description

Under the supervision and direction of the Principal Solicitor and other Senior QAI Staff as required, the Solicitor will provide referrals, legal advice, casework and representation within the scope of QAI’s Human Rights Advocacy Practice. The Solicitor’s role will include representation before the Mental Health Review Tribunal (MHRT) and Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and advice to clients on mental health, guardianship, administration, human rights law and discrimination matters. The Solicitor will contribute to the systemic advocacy work and community legal education of QAI within the Human Rights Advocacy Practice.

The position could be either part time or full time commencing in August 2024. The role falls under the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHDS Award) and will be paid at Level 5.

Remuneration: $49 – $52 per hour

Key Responsibilities

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Provide legal advice to clients of QAI’s Human Rights Advocacy Practice (HRAP) for matters arising under the Mental Health Act 2016 (Qld), the Forensic Disability Act 2011 (Qld), the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld), Disability Services Act 2006 (Qld), the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000 (Qld), the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (Qld), the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) and related legislation and policies, via face to face, phone or video appointments.
• Perform legal representation on behalf of HRAP clients with matters before the MHRT, either in person or via video link as required and in accordance with the MHRT practice directions.
• Perform legal representation on behalf of HRAP clients with matters before QCAT, as well as the Queensland Human Rights Commission (QHRC) and the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and other courts and tribunals as required.
• Provide information and referrals to other legal, welfare and community services, including the provision of community legal education events and material.
• Perform various tasks including maintaining client databases (CLASS), QAI’s electronic filing systems, Microsoft 365 and its integrated apps and perform work including drafting legal correspondence, advice letters and preparing legal documents.
• Identify issues requiring systemic reform (including law reform) in relation to the rights of people with disability, in collaboration with systems advocates.
• Conduct strategic test cases as directed from a human-rights perspective to achieve or promote systemic reform of laws and services impacting on people with disability.
• Keep informed of current government and community attitudes and policies and their effects on the lives of people with disability.
• Assist with the preparation of submissions, brochures, discussion papers, reports, self-help kits, newsletter contributions and other publications within the expertise and responsibilities of the position.

 

Selection Criteria

Essential

• strong commitment to human rights, social justice and diversity

• experienced, unrestricted lawyer with at least two years’ experience in legal practice in Queensland, or extensive management experience

• experience in Criminal Law or Mental Health Law and/or other relevant practice area with demonstrated experience in the disability, mental health or social services sectors, delivering advice and representation to vulnerable individuals
• highly developed interpersonal skills, specifically the ability to converse with people at grass roots, as well as those in positions of authority to affect change in the lives of people with disability
• criminal history screening clearance.

Desirable

• lived experience of disability
• previous experience at a Community Legal Centre and/or with the Community Legal Assistance Services System (CLASS), would be advantageous.

About us

We are an independent organisation that advocates for the protection and advancement of the needs, rights and lives of people with disability in Queensland.

We are a registered Charity and community legal centre that works to uphold the principles of fundamental human rights, social justice and inclusion in community life.

We provide advocacy to individuals through our three advocacy practices and this work informs our systemic advocacy that engages in campaigns and submissions directed at changing attitudes, law and policy.

Why work for QAI

We are an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion within our workplace and were the first organisation to opt in to being bound by the Human Rights Act 2019 (Qld). We encourage First Nations people and people with disability to apply as the position would benefit from a person with lived experiences.

Applicants are encouraged to request reasonable adjustments if required to assist the application and recruitment process. We pride ourselves on fostering a friendly and supportive workplace culture, as we take the well-being of our staff seriously.

Our well-being program includes staff activities such as walks by the river, yoga or potluck lunches, creating opportunities to connect with each other and take a break from our screens.

We also offer salary sacrificing options, a flexible work environment, professional supervision, paid parental leave and portable long service leave, which is now standard across the sector.

A position description is linked below.

QAI is willing to customise the role to facilitate candidates with disability. 

Position description – Word (367 KB)

 

To apply

To be considered for this role, you must submit the documents listed below:

1. Your resume

2. A cover letter addressing the Essential Selection Criteria

Applications can be sent to [email protected].

Please address any questions to 07 3844 4200 or email [email protected] using the subject line: Human Rights Solicitor enquiry.

Applications for this position close 9am Monday 29 July 2024.

Position Description:

Human-Rights-Solicitor-PD