Paralegal – inTouch Legal Centre

The inTouch Paralegal will work under the direction of our Lawyers and Migration Agents to provide valuable legal support to women from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Victoria.

Status:	Fixed term (Jan 2024 – Jan 2025)
Hours:	Full time
Location:	East Melbourne
Pay rates:	SCHAD Level 4 + Superannuation (SGC) + Salary Packaging

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence (inTouch) provides person-centered, integrated and culturally responsive family violence services to people from migrant and refugee communities across Victoria. We have assisted over 20,000 women and children experiencing family violence throughout our 38 years of operation, providing a holistic service that centers the experiences of victim-survivors in everything we do.

inTouch works across the family violence continuum, providing culturally informed early intervention, case management, programs for men who use violence, legal advice, crisis recovery and enhanced capacity-building across the sector and community. We are proud to provide high-level leadership and guidance to all levels of government with our evidence-based, victim-survivor informed advocacy and policy work.

We are a unique and vital service, with specialist expertise working with people of migrant and refugee
backgrounds. This is reflected in our workforce, which is comprised primarily of people who are migrants
and refugees themselves – the inTouch team is from over 20 different countries and communities globally.

ABOUT THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT

The inTouch Paralegal will work under the direction of our Lawyers and Migration Agents to provide valuable legal support to women from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Victoria. The InTouch Legal Centre includes professional advice, assistance, and referrals with:

• Protection from family violence – intervention orders
• Family law – dispute resolution
• Parenting
• Property and financial
• Airport watch list
• Child support and spousal maintenance
• Divorce
• Immigration – spousal visas
• Immigration – Applying under family violence provision
• Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal (VOCAT) applications

The successful applicant will be committed to social justice and be culturally competent, with a genuine
interest in seeking just outcomes for migrant and refugee women and their children experiencing a range of legal issues.

POSITION ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide legal casework assistance such as drafting letters, completing forms and checking documents
• Book client appointments
• Provide information to clients by telephone, email and face-to-face
• Provide appropriate referrals to other community legal services, private legal professionals, government authorities, courts and tribunals
• Assist with administration of client files and preparation for client interviews
• Assist with the preparation of advice sessions
• Conduct research
• Undertake any other legal work as directed by the Lawyers or Migration Agents

KEY SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the legal needs of vulnerable clients, such as family violence victim survivors from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
• High level of verbal and written communication skills and ability to liaise with a diverse range of people including, vulnerable clients, community groups, agencies, courts, tribunals, government departments, members of the legal profession and interpreters.
• Attention to detail and the ability to follow direction and undertake tasks consistently and competently.

Desirable

• Previous participation or experience in a community socio-legal work setting.
• Experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
• Experience working with interpreters.

Personable attributes

• Genuine interest and commitment to social justice and multicultural values.
• High ethical standards and values, and ability to act with integrity and confidentiality.
• Ability to take initiative and accept responsibility.A team player who is able to engage people, problem solve and achieve results.
• Exhibits cultural competency.
• Energy and enthusiasm

HOW TO APPLY

inTouch has a pending renewal of an Equal Opportunity Exemption (A123/2012) and requests applications
from women only. Candidates from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

To submit an application, please send a short covering letter explaining why you are interested in this position, and attach your CV to recruitment@intouch.org.au using the subject line: Paralegal – Legal Centre

Application closing date: 21st December 2023