About Us

The Catholic Diocese of Broken Bay covers three geographic regions in NSW – the Northern Beaches, North Shore, and Central Coast.

The Diocese is home to 26 parishes and supports the local community through other ministries, including education and social and community services.

We take our safeguarding and child protection responsibilities seriously and have a zero tolerance for abuse. We seek to ensure that children, young people and vulnerable adults are provided with the fundamental right to be kept safe and respected, and to respond appropriately if abuse and harm occur.

To assist us meet our safeguarding responsibilities, we are seeking an experienced Legal Counsel to join our Safeguarding Team on a permanent, part-time basis.

About the Role

Reporting to the Head of Safeguarding and working collaboratively with the Safeguarding Lead and other team members, you will play a vital role in ensuring the Diocese meets its legal, regulatory, and ethical obligations in relation to safeguarding and child protection.

You will provide expert legal advice and risk-based assessments on the management of matters related to safeguarding, including reporting obligations (for example, the Reportable Conduct Scheme); National Redress Scheme; litigated and unlitigated civil claims; historical and current allegations of abuse or misconduct; and safeguarding processes.

You will liaise with both internal and external stakeholders, including insurers and external legal providers, and as a trusted advisor to the Head of Safeguarding, support the Diocese to respond sensitively, lawfully, and with integrity to safeguarding concerns, while maintaining best-practice compliance with evolving legislation and Church standards.

Using your exceptional written communication and analytical skills, you will contribute to the development and regular review of safeguarding policies, protocols and procedures from a legal and risk management perspective, and will develop and implement viable safeguarding and legal projects and services that are innovative and responsive to the needs of the Diocese.

The role is a permanent part-time role, ideally to be worked as three days a week. However, as an employer who prides itself on flexibility, consideration may be given to alternative working arrangements.

About You

Along with your qualifications and relevant experience, you will be an amicable team-player as well as a trusted advisor with a can-do attitude and an appetite for problem solving.

Specifically, as the ideal candidate for this role, you will meet the following Key Requirements:

• Tertiary qualifications in Law and a current and unrestricted practising certificate in New South Wales
• A minimum of four to five years’ PQE either in-house or in private practice, ideally with substantial exposure to safeguarding and institutional abuse matters, preferably from a defendant background
• An understanding of the legal landscape for safeguarding, child protection, and institutional risk and liability
• High level skills in contemporary computer applications including the Microsoft Office suite and general technological literacy
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Excellent analytical and written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and proven capacity to work collaboratively with pastoral, legal and regulatory stakeholders.

What’s on Offer?

• The opportunity to be part of a purposeful organisation and friendly team
• Flexibility and work-life balance
• Attractive remuneration based on experience.

Enquiries and Application Process

For a confidential discussion, and to obtain a copy of the Position Description and instructions on how to apply, please contact Nevine Piperides at Reach HR on 0418 698 327 or [email protected].

Applications close Tuesday, 7 October 2025.

Additional Requirements

Preferred candidates must have a current Working With Children Check clearance prior to employment.

As this is an ongoing position, the successful applicant must have an unrestricted right to work in Australia.