Paralegal

About this role

The Role The Afghanistan Inquiry Response Task Force (AIRTF) seeks motivated candidates keen to join our team in Canberra, ACT, to support legal proceedings arising from potential breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict. Our Paralegals: • Support document reviews/information management to protect sensitive and classified Defence information; • Support legal officers in the delivery of legal services and during legal proceedings; • Comply with established protocols, procedures and practices; • Research and draft routine administrative and legal correspondence and documents; • Build and manage collaborative relationships with our key stakeholders; and • Administer/coordinate legal support functions including finances, file and record management and logistic support. Our team manages highly sensitive and classified information regularly. You may be exposed to discomforting and confronting information and material (in written, verbal and pictorial forms) that may trigger discomfort. Prior to responding to this advertisement, please consider carefully whether this position is suitable for you. About our Team AIRTF leads Defence’s response to the IGADF Afghanistan Inquiry, which was initiated in 2016 to determine whether there was any substance to rumours and allegations relating to possible breaches of the Law of Armed Conflict by members of the Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan between 2005 and 2016. AIRTF has a number of direct responsibilities, including: • Providing support to senior Defence leadership relating to the Inquiry; • Coordinating strategic communication; • Engaging internal and external stakeholders; • Legal coordination relating to Defence interests including civil litigation and criminal matters; and • Coordination of access to Defence information related to legal and other consequences of the Afghanistan Inquiry. The Legal Directorate delivers effort related to cases, including war crimes prosecutions, by: • Providing legal services to protect Defence’s interests in individual cases; • Managing information in support of the Office of Special Investigator (OSI) and Commonwealth Department of Public Prosecution; • Subpoena and warrant management; and • Trial support. Our Ideal Candidate The AIRTF is looking for candidates, who, as Paralegals, can demonstrate they: • Can work independently and within a team; • Are adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of our organisation; • Are proactive, resilient and self-motivated; • Have a strong attention to detail; • Exercise sound judgment and discretion consistently; • Possess strong research and analytical skills; • Have strong written and verbal communication skills; • Develop, maintain and nurture collaborative and productive working relationships; • Have demonstrable problem solving skills; • Consistently apply their knowledge and expertise to deliver work of a high standard; • Can effectively prioritise and plan their work to ensure its progress and meet strict deadlines; • Contribute meaningfully to broader team discussions; • Shape decisions by asking questions, seeking clarification and sharing their opinions, experiences and perspectives; and • Are dedicated to their professional development.