Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator - Criminal Assets Litigation

Job Details

EMPLOYMENT TYPE - Ongoing Full time

LOCATION - NSW; VIC

AFP BAND & SALARY - Executive Level ($175,089.00 - $231,035.00)

JOB REFERENCE NUMBER - 15574

This advertisement is to fill current vacancies and create a merit list for future ongoing or non-ongoing vacancies arising over the next 12 months.

Did you know?

The mission of the Australian Federal Police is to provide dynamic and effective law enforcement to the people of Australia. It provides policing throughout Australia in relation to the prevention and detection of crimes against the Commonwealth, its laws and integrity, and community police services to the Community of the ACT.

Working for the AFP provides you with a diverse and rewarding career. Whether you immerse yourself in a position on the frontline, or provide critical operational or professional support, the work you do makes a big impact on the people of Australia. 

We recognise your contribution to our workforce and offer generous remuneration and conditions including:

• Five weeks (25 days) of paid annual leave per year + additional paid Christmas stand down 
• 18 days of paid personal leave per year
• Generous superannuation of 15.4%
• 18 weeks paid Parental Leave for Primary Caregiver (and 11 weeks for Secondary Caregiver) + additional unpaid leave entitlements for up until 24 months from the child’s date of birth or placement
• Generous salaries and incremental salary progression governed by the AFP Enterprise Agreement
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangement that provides work/life balance
• Health & wellbeing services – with a focus on early intervention, education and prevention
• Access to ongoing training and professional development opportunities

What is the role?

Criminal Assets Litigation (CAL) is an operational function of the AFP’s Chief Counsel Portfolio (CCP) that independently litigates proceeds of crime matters under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act 1987, the International Criminal Court Act 2002 and the International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1995.

There are currently two Executive Level opportunities within CAL.

• Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator – Criminal Assets Litigation (Information Management) – Sydney
• Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator Criminal Assets Litigation and Practice Management - Melbourne

As an Executive Level AFP appointee, you will ensure the achievement of outcomes are in accordance with the regulatory framework, the AFP Code of Conduct and the AFP Governance Instruments. Appointees at the Executive Level work under the strategic direction of the senior executive and are responsible for the leadership and management of a number of teams to deliver outcomes.

Appointees at this level require in depth knowledge and understanding of the AFP business and the impact of roles and functions undertaken in relation to the organisation’s reputation to effectively manage operations.

What will you do?

An Executive Level role is responsible for leading and managing a team/s dedicated to delivering a business function to the AFP. The role has both a practical and strategic focus requiring the application of sound business principles in the management of resources to meet AFP outputs in the most effective and efficient manner.

This work may include:
 

• Delivering on intended results using expertise to achieve team objectives ensuring all financial and human resources within their team are effectively directed to the achievement of business area outcomes
• Building capability and responsiveness within the business area contributing to the development of corporate business planning, strategies, and the strategic direction of activities within the AFP
• Leading and managing change showing judgment, intelligence and common-sense and a shared direction
• Thinking ahead and including broader perspectives, as well as nurturing internal and external networks to facilitate cooperation and partnerships
• Using extensive knowledge and expertise to guide, mentor, and develop team leaders and members to ensure the sustainability of skills and knowledge in the AFP
• Demonstrating professional and ethical behaviours displaying initiative, courage and resilience while valuing and using individual differences and diversity to best effect
• Maintaining currency in policy, legislation and subject matter expertise through ongoing professional development and learning opportunities outside the formal education process
• Providing high level conceptual and strategic advice, conducting briefings with and communicating clearly keeping Senior Executive staff relevantly informed
• Negotiating and working to reconcile diverse views

For role specific responsibilities, please see below linked candidate packs.

Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator – Criminal Assets Litigation (Information Management) – Sydney

Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator Criminal Assets Litigation and Practice Management - Melbourne

Essential Requirements

• You must be an Australian Citizen upon application
• A Negative Vetting 1 (Secret) security clearance or the ability to obtain one.
• Tertiary qualifications in Law and contemporary, relevant, legal knowledge and expertise in the proceeds of crime and confiscation jurisdiction (or the ability to quickly acquire same).
• A practising certificate as an Australian Legal Practitioner (or the ability to obtain one).
• A strong understanding of Commonwealth legal obligations.
• Experience in leading and managing a team of legal practitioners and support staff.
• High quality practice management skills, including Finance, Recruitment and reporting.

Desirable Requirements

• Significant (8+ years) experience as a litigation lawyer in government and/or the private sector, with at least 2 years' experience at the principal government lawyer (EL2) / senior associate level or equivalent.
• Experience in delivering high level and complex legal advice to peers, senior executives in government, and/or the private sector on a wide variety of litigation and information management issues.
• A sound understanding of the Commonwealth, and AFP legal and policy framework that applies to litigation and relevant law and the sourcing and delivery of legal services.
• Highly developed written and oral communication and negotiation skills, including the ability to communicate with influence with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in training and strategic capacity development in a legal context.
• The ability to analyse complex information quickly and engage appropriately with legal risk.
• The ability to deliver high level legal and strategic advice to the AFP executive.

Additional Information

• Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator – Criminal Assets Litigation (Information Management) is located in Sydney, applicants are expected to be in Sydney. 
• Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator Criminal Assets Litigation and Practice Management is located in Melbourne, applicants are expected to be in Melbourne.

Selection Criteria

• Achieve results
• Communicates with influence
• Contributes to strategic thinking
• Cultivates productive working relationships
• Shows personal drive and integrity
• Technical knowledge and skills 

Application

Please submit the following documents via our Jobs portal prior to the closing date and time:

• Resume/CV - This will form the basis for determining your suitability against the position requirements and give the panel a clear outline of your current knowledge and qualifications along with previous experiences. Please include your work history, responsibilities and achievements.
• Applicant pitch (maximum two pages). Ensure your pitch tells us why you are the best fit for the role, with examples that demonstrate your capabilities addressing the selection criteria, role requirements and work level standards for the role. 

Only complete applications will be considered. Please review and ensure the uploaded documents are correct for this application after submitting your application.

Please note, due to the AFP shutdown period and panel availability, shortlisting will not progress until late January. 

Employment Suitability

Should you successfully progress from the application stage all applicants must:

• Complete an Employment Suitability Questionnaire (ESQ) and provide a traffic history check and proof of Australian citizenship. This aids in the assessment of your character and your ability to comply with the AFP's professional standards both in an official and private capacity. Please review our AFP Character Standards to ensure that you meet our requirements before you submit your application. Applicants will not receive feedback if they are unsuccessful at this gateway.
• Have your fingerprints taken if an offer of employment is made.
• Undertake mandatory drug testing for illicit drugs. This sample could include; urine, saliva or hair.
• Satisfactorily undertake a security clearance to the level specified for the position.

Recruitment Process

Applicants who have demonstrated their suitability for employment through their resume and application, may be asked to complete additional assessments or activities to determine suitability for the role. This may also include a formal interview. Using the relevant AFP work level standards as a guide, you may be asked a range of questions to demonstrate your skills and abilities. These could include behavioural based scenario questions. Read our guides for applicants to find out how to prepare for your interview.

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

At the AFP we value the different perspectives, approaches and lived experiences of our people, and recognise that our collective intelligence and diversity is what makes us stronger. As such, we encourage applications from people from all walks of life, including people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, First Nations people, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and people with disability.

Contacts and Closing Information

Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator – Criminal Assets Litigation (Information Management).

Contact Officer:  Harley Pope 

Contact Officer Phone:  (02) 5126 4637 

Contact Officer Email:  Harley.Pope@afp.gov.au 

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 19/12/2025

Deputy General Counsel & Coordinator Criminal Assets Litigation and Practice Management 

Contact Officer:  Andrew Hanger

Contact Officer Phone:  (02) 5126 2461

Contact Officer Email:  Andrew.Hanger@afp.gov.au 

Applications Close: 11:59pm (AEDT) 19/12/2025

To view our other employment opportunities, please visit our career site.

www.afp.gov.au