Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, the General Counsel leads IPEA's legal, reporting and assurance functions and supports accountability, transparency and integrity across the agency.
The key duties of the position include:
Provide practical and authoritative legal advice to the CEO and Executive Team on IPEA's statutory, corporate and operational responsibilities including complex and high-risk matters.
Work with the Leadership Team to identify and manage legal and regulatory risks related to IPEA's legislated functions.
Manage litigation, disputes, investigations, Freedom of Information (FOI) matters and external legal providers to support effective delivery of legal services.
Lead delivery of IPEA's assurance program, including post-payment checks, assurance reviews and audits of parliamentarians' work resources and the travel resources of their staff.
Lead the preparation, assurance and publication of expenditure and assurance reporting, ensuring reports are compliant, accurate, timely and transparent.
Develop and maintain trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support informed decision-making and delivery of branch and organisational objectives.
Lead branch workforce planning, capability development, resource management, performance, and financial management.
Contribute as a member of the Executive Leadership Team to the strategic direction, organisational performance and outcomes of the agency.
Qualification
Admission, or eligibility for admission, as an Australian legal practitioner is mandatory.
The successful candidate must be eligible to hold,



and maintain, a current practising certificate in an Australian jurisdiction.
Our ideal candidate
The successful applicant will demonstrate capability in-line with the SES Band 1 Work Level Standards and will have the following capabilities and qualities:
Leadership and accountability
Management diversity and span
Stakeholder management
Job context and environment
Independence and decision-making
Enterprise Leadership
For further information regarding these capabilities and qualities review the candidate information pack on the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority website.
EligibilityThis is a designated security assessed position.
The successful applicant will be required to have or obtain and maintain a security assessment at the Negative Vetting 1 level.
NotesApplication
Your application should include:
a 750-word pitch with transparent examples of how you meet the key responsibilities as well as the characteristics outlined in the 'our ideal candidate' section
a resume of no more than three (3) pages
the Personal Particulars Form which can be found on the Working at IPEA | Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority web page.




All SES employees are expected to model and promote the APS Values and Code of Conduct and leadership behaviours outlined in the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) Integrated Leadership System and Secretaries' Charter of Leadership Behaviours.
The APSC is a central agency within the APS with a critical leadership role in contributing to the future capability and sustainability of the SES.
Further information about working in the SES is available on the APSC website at SES Information.
Written referee reports may be requested if you are shortlisted to interview stage.
Submission
Your completed Personal Particulars Form, along with your pitch and resume should be emailed to: ******.
Please ensure you include the contact details of two referees as part of your Personal Particulars Form.
IPEA will confirm with you prior to contacting your referees.
If you have trouble submitting your application, please contact IPEA's Recruitment Team at: ****** or on **************.
Getting to know the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
The Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority's (IPEA) roles and functions reflect those prescribed in the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority Act **** and include:
providing advice to parliamentarians and their staff on travel expenses, allowances, and related expenses
administering travel expenses, allowances, and related expenses, including processing these claims
reporting on work expense claims
auditing work expense claims

📌 General Counsel (Canberra)
🏢 Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority
📍 Canberra