As a financial ombudsman, we are a for-purpose organisation that provides a free service for individuals and small businesses. We listen to and work with our customers and their financial firms to find solutions to complaints which have gone unheard or unresolved. This is your opportunity to make a difference.

Enjoy the flexibility and variety of working on a flexible “on demand” basis as part of a busy decision-making team.

We are looking to appoint some Sessional Ombudsman in Small Business to work on a per engagement basis, as part of our busy decision-making team. Our sessional ombudsman provide expert “on demand” support as part of a pool of talented lawyers wo have ongoing access to AFCA resources, specialists and support. These flexible engagements can be for as short as one day a week for several months or longer, or for a few days, per week.

You are likely to be at a stage of your career where you have an interest in using your well-developed skills and experience to contribute towards a broader community service role but equally value greater work life balance and time for other interests.  Reporting to the Lead Ombudsman Small Business and Transactions, Suanne Russell, this role suits a senior lawyer with a long-established practice or an executive level legally qualified professional with a strong track record of significant achievement and experience in:

• the financial services sector,
• the banker/customer relationship, and
• small business lending transactions. 

Knowledge and background involving the banking codes (ABA, COBA, AFIA), contract law, insolvency and securities (such as the mortgagee sale process) would be very helpful. 

You are a natural leader who is consultative by nature, with the ability to effectively get to the heart of complex issues. You are efficient when working on a per engagement basis and know when to pivot between working independently or collaboratively, with and through others. You come equipped with a laser focus, effortless communication skills and a flair for dealing empathetically with a broad cross section of the community.

Your resilient nature allows you to push through when receiving criticism from consumers and financial firms. Importantly, your business or professional dealings over the last 3 years should not create any reasonable perception of possible bias in favor of either financial services industry members or consumers.

Please note that applicants are required to hold legal qualifications and have significant track record of achievement at a senior legal level within banking and finance or a tribunal, EDR scheme, regulatory agency or related business entity.

• BOSS Best Places to Work 2024 –credited for its culture, engagement and flexible working arrangements. 

• Employer of Choice Public Sector and NFP – Australian HR Awards 2023 

• Accredited as a Family Friendly Workplace 

• Hybrid working from home and our state-of-the-art office and facilities designed for collaboration, and wellbeing. We work flexibly at AFCA and encourage you to talk to us about how this role can be flexible for you. 

• Progressive and inclusive leave entitlements, including flexible public holiday leave, women’s health leave, 18 weeks paid parental leave, sorry business leave, early and advanced pregnancy loss leave, paid gender affirmation leave, extra personal leave and paid time off over Christmas. Plus, study leave to support your professional development. 

• Not For Profit salary packaging benefits. 

Life at AFCA

Our people are at the centre of everything we do. We live and breathe our cultural qualities, which shape how we behave and how we engage with our customers. At AFCA, you will truly feel the difference of working at an organisation which supports people of all backgrounds, experiences, and identities to thrive. Our consistently high employee engagement results reflect that AFCA is a truly great place to work and a place where people can contribute, belong and flourish! 

To apply:

If you are passionate about how we drive fairness in the financial sector and are looking for an organisation that values the human in all of us, we encourage you to apply – even if you don’t meet every single criterion.

We encourage applications from people of all ages, cultures, abilities, sexual orientation and gender identities. We strive to provide a recruitment experience that’s fair, inclusive and accessible. If you have any specific accessibility requirements, please reach out to the recruiter who is managing this process or email us at [email protected]. We also offer flexible working at AFCA and as such even if a role is advertised as full-time, we invite conversations around other working arrangements and would still encourage you to apply.

AFCA is a 2024 Circle Back Initiative Employer - we are committed to responding to every applicant.