Legal Research Officer

The Registrar is responsible for maintaining three NNTT Registers, namely the Register of Native Title Claims, National Native Title Register and the Register of Indigenous land Use Agreements. The Native Title Act requires claims and ILUAs to meet certain criteria in order to be registered on the Register of Native Title Claims and Register of Indigenous Land Use Agreements. Once registered, the applicant and parties receive particular rights under the Native Title Act. The Native Title Act also requires the Registrar to notify all native title determination applications, including non-claimant applications, and ILUAs to allow affected persons and bodies an opportunity to respond to the application. The Legal Research Officer reports to the Manager, Legal and Compliance and supports the Director, Legal and Compliance and other team members in providing assistance to, and undertaking tasks on behalf of, the President, members of the NNTT and the Registrar in the discharge of their functions and powers under the Native Title Act. The Legal Research Officer will be appointed a delegate in order to make registration decisions at the less complex end of the registration tasks. They will also provide legal assistance and research to their Manager or at the direction of their Manager. The key duties of the position include

• Consider and make decisions in relation to applications to register body corporate and area agreements ILUAs, depending on experience.
• Manage non-claimant native title determination applications including administrative processing, stakeholder communication and notification.
• Provide assistance in response to ad hoc requests as part of the NNTT's assistance functions.
• Support the Manager, Legal & Compliance team in the administration and performance of the NNTT and Registrar statutory functions.
• Develop and maintain a sound understanding of relevant Commonwealth and State legislation and the NNTT's statutory obligations under the Native Title Act 1993.
• Apply approved records and information management practices in compliance with the NNTT Records and Information Management Policy and Procedures.
• Exercise delegations within scope of delegated authority.
• Provide high level analysis and written products in support of the President, Members, and the Registrar.
• Work with a high level of independence, setting priorities, displaying initiative, and managing competing workloads to ensure quality and timely outputs.
• Work as an effective team member and mentor any direct reports or junior team members, promoting team cohesion, staff development and innovation.
• Identify areas for improvement and provide effective solutions.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with relevant stakeholders, including prescribed bodies corporate.
• Engage with external clients and stakeholders using clear communication and projecting a positive image for the NNTT.
• Perform other duties as reasonably required and directed by the Manager, Legal & Compliance team.