First Nations Practitioner-in-Residence

• Great opportunity for two First Nations Legal Practitioners in Residence to contribute to the activities and life of the University of Sydney Law School
• Located at the Camperdown Campus – hybrid options available
• 2 x Part Time, 12 months fixed term roles, offering a base salary of $122,830- $145,858 Base pro-rated, and 17% Superannuation

These are Identified opportunities for a First Nations lawyer to make a meaningful impact within the Law School and are part time roles for 12 months, (flexible on working 1-3 days/ week) and will suit early – mid career legal practitioners (PhD not required, however, current practicing certificate is essential).

About the opportunity 

The Sydney Law School First Nations Practitioner-in-Residence is a unique opportunity to expand your practical legal skills and advocacy. This role involves engaging your legal expertise, in any area of law, to explore the intersections and impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and the cultural specificity of law.

You will promote your expertise as a First Nations lawyer in your field,  and encourage professional and practical legal opportunities in an educational context. The program forms part of a greater scheme to help build upon the School’s vision and mission as embodied in its Strategic Plan 2024-2025, to bridge the gap between education and the profession.

The School’s long-term vision is to transform the legal landscape and innovate through its central pillars – education, research and community engagement, and ultimately to inspire legal minds within the Law School. Through the program, the School is able to engage and build closer links with the profession by providing a space where legal practitioners can further their individual professional development while also leveraging their expertise and knowledge in a way that engages and contributes to the next generation of future legal practitioners who are equipped with an understanding of First Nations issues in the context of colonisation.

This position is exclusively designated for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals under the provisions of Section 126 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977 (NSW). It entails active engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge holders, adherence to cultural protocols, and adept navigation of cross-cultural interactions. These aspects are integral to the role and duly acknowledged by the University, recognising the role’s significant contributions to Indigenous and Education strategies.

The Practitioner-in-Residence may (without being limited to):

• advocate in their area of law/field of expertise
• develop resources to support an understanding of First Nations legal issues and laws
• create and/or strengthen community partnerships
• teach in units relevant to their area of expertise including class preparation
• contribute to student engagement activities
• engage in research (this may include progress towards further qualifications)
• deliver guest/ public lectures and seminars in subjects relevant to their area of expertise
• review relevant units of study and mentor academic staff and students
• attend continuing professional development activities
• use their network to strengthen connection and collaboration between Community, School centres, staff, students, and the legal profession
• contribute to relevant Law School committees
• contribute to mooting, competitions, interview, and skills workshops
• assist with Law School and community outreach activities
• participate in academic collaborations with the Law School community
• undertake project work leading to defined outcomes, for example a research paper, staff / student workshops
• assist with Law School and community outreach activities as directed by the Deputy Dean

About you

The University values trust, accountability and excellence. As such, we see the importance of recruiting talented colleagues who align to these values and who will lead our teaching and research work at the university in the years to come. You will join a dynamic, engaged group in a highly collaborative and supportive teaching and research environment.

We are recruiting two First Nations Practitioner-in-Residence professionals with the following:

• identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• demonstrated understanding of the impact of colonisation in their field of expertise
• engagement with the First Nations community
• demonstrated professional engagement with Indigenous organisations within local regions
• qualified solicitor or barrister with a current NSW Practicing certificate
• learning practice, design and evaluation skills to build capacity
• strong teaching and mentoring abilities
• excellent analytical, research and communication skills (written and oral)

• a high level of interpersonal skills including the ability to work collaboratively with academic and professional staff, and foster principles of equity, diversity and inclusion
• a developing knowledge and understanding of the key issues in the higher education sector, including research and/or community funding.

 

Pre-employment checks

Your employment is conditional upon the completion of all role required pre-employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University. Similarly, your ongoing employment is conditional upon the satisfactory maintenance of all relevant clearances and background check requirements. If you do not meet these conditions, the University may take any necessary step, including the termination of your employment.

EEO statement

At the University of Sydney, our shared values are trust, accountability and excellence and we strive to be a place where everyone can thrive. We are committed to creating a University community that thrives through diversity and reflects the wider community that we serve. We deliver on this through our commitment to diversity and inclusion, evidenced by our people and culture programs, as well as key strategies to increase participation and support the careers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people living with a disability, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and those who identify as LGBTIQ+. We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds, including women.

We are proud to be recognised as an Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Gold employer. Find out more about our work on diversity and inclusion.

The University of Sydney YURA Network, formally the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Network promotes sharing of experiences, networking and professional support for career development and mentoring. It is supported by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment Plan 2022-2024  that aims to increase employment and development opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff.

The University recognises that the cultural load undertaken by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff on behalf of the University culturally enriches the institution. It also advances the University’s commitment to empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and communities. Engagement with cultural duties, engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional knowledge holders and navigating cross-cultural interactions are recognised as crucial elements of this role and will be allocated appropriate time in workloads, including work plans, and will be considered in criteria for promotion.

Sponsorship / work rights for Australia

Please note: Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. For a continuing position, you must be an Australian or New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

How to Apply

How to apply

Please prepare and upload a statement indicating how you believe you meet the criteria outlined in the “About you” of the advertisement (maximum 3 A4 pages) and a CV which can be submitted via the Apply button at the top of the page. Applications will be reviewed as received.

For employees of the University or contingent workers, please login into your Workday account and navigate to the Career icon on your Dashboard.  Click on USYD Find Jobs and apply.

For a further discussion about this role, please contact Peter Finneran in the Law School via email peter.finneran@sydney.edu.au or Nicole Cunningham in Recruitment Operations via email: Nicole.cunningham@sydney.edu.au or call 0449973799. For a yarn and further discussion about Indigenous employment at University of Sydney please contact Portia on email: portia.fitzpatrick@sydney.edu.au or phone: 02 9351 9862

If you require reasonable adjustment or any documents in alternate formats, please contact Nicole Cunningham, Recruitment Operations by email to nicole.cunningham@sydney.edu.au.

© The University of Sydney

The University reserves the right not to proceed with any appointment.

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