Lawyer - Prison Support Program
Djirra, Australia
Job Description
Djirra supports Aboriginal women's journey to safety and wellbeing, and provides legal and practical supports to Aboriginal people experiencing family violence across Victoria. Djirra is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation with a rich history, and we are growing our services across regional Victoria.
The Aboriginal Family Violence Legal Service (AFVLS) is a program of Djirra. AFVLS provides legal and non-legal assistance and facilitates access to justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have experienced or who are experiencing family violence or sexual assault. AFVLS delivers the Prison Support Program for clients at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre and HM Prison Tarrengower.
A full time ongoing position has arisen for a Lawyer to provide and oversee high quality legal advice and representation, and non-legal support. Lawyers work closely with Paralegal Support Workers to address the multitude of interrelated legal and non-legal issues faced by our clients, assisting them to access a variety of legal, social, psychological, cultural, health, financial and other support services.
Aboriginal women are significantly overrepresented in the Victorian prison population, and an overwhelming majority have experience family violence. Lawyers working in the AFVLS' Prison Support Program provide legal advice and representation to Aboriginal women in prison, including post-release.
Djirra is committed to Child Safety and as part of Djirra's screening requirements all staff must have (or are able to obtain) a Working With Childrens Check and a National Police Check. An International Police Check may also be required. You must also be able to demonstrate an understanding of Child Safety.
How to Apply:
Applicants are required to submit their cover letter, resume and provide responses to the questions found at the bottom of the application form. Please refer to https://djirra.org.au/ for organisational information, position description and how to apply. Further enquires regarding this position can be directed to Teresa Kyprianou, HR Advisor at
Requirements
Applicants are required to have a degree in Law and hold a legal practicing certificate in Victoria. Applicants who have had at least one year of practical experience in a community legal, family violence or justice related setting will be looked upon favorably.
Applicants who have the ability to effectively communicate and work with local Aboriginal communities and have knowledge of social justice issues within Aboriginal communities will be highly regarded. The demonstrated capacity to communicate emphatically and effectively with Aboriginal people and/or others who have experienced trauma is a necessity.
Benefits
- Supportive and inclusive work environment
- Flexible work-life balance
- Extra annual leave given between Christmas and New Year
- Generous Salary Packaging options (Not For Profit Organisation)
- Employee Assistance Program with supportive, confidential counselling for personal and work concerns.