Volunteer Legal Documentation Officer
Volunteer Legal Documentation Officer
Rethink Australia Foundation Ltd is a youth-led environmental organisation empowering students and schools to drive sustainability through education, technology and community action.
As Rethink Australia grows, we are developing the policies, agreements, templates and governance documentation needed to support responsible and sustainable operations. We are seeking a capable Volunteer Legal Documentation Officer to assist with research, first-draft preparation and document management.
This is a practical drafting and research role. The volunteer will prepare documents for review by authorised representatives of Rethink Australia and, where required, an appropriately qualified legal practitioner.
Key responsibilities
• Prepare first drafts of organisational policies, agreements, terms of reference, declarations, notices, standard letters and related documents
• Conduct legal, regulatory, governance and policy research relevant to assigned documents
• Review suitable precedents and adapt them to Rethink Australia’s circumstances and drafting instructions
• Assist with volunteer agreements, confidentiality documents, codes of conduct and internal policies
• Assist with first drafts of partnership agreements, sponsorship agreements, memoranda of understanding and stakeholder documentation
• Support advisory appointment documents, committee terms of reference, conflict-of-interest documentation and governance templates
• Incorporate comments and amendments provided during the review process
• Maintain version control, document status, review dates and template registers
• Identify matters requiring clarification, organisational approval or qualified legal advice
About you
We welcome applications from practising lawyers, experienced paralegals, law graduates, Practical Legal Training candidates, governance professionals and final-year law students with demonstrated drafting capability.
Relevant experience may include:
• Legal research and drafting
• Paralegal or legal administrative work
• Commercial or corporate documentation
• Governance and compliance
• Policy development
• Charities and not-for-profits
• Privacy, intellectual property or technology law
• Contract administration
The successful applicant will have excellent written communication and research skills, strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to handle confidential information appropriately. The applicant should be comfortable following drafting instructions, documenting assumptions, raising questions and incorporating detailed review feedback.
Scope and review
The role focuses on research, document preparation, template development and document administration. The volunteer will not be expected to independently provide legal advice, approve legal documents, represent Rethink Australia as legal counsel or determine that documents are legally compliant.
All drafts will be subject to appropriate organisational review and approval. Matters requiring legal advice will be referred to an appropriately qualified legal practitioner where required.
Why volunteer with Rethink Australia?
This is an opportunity to help build the governance and documentation foundations of an ambitious environmental organisation at an important stage of its development.
Your contribution will help Rethink Australia establish consistent, professional and practical documentation to support its volunteers, programs, partnerships, advisors and organisational growth. The role also offers exposure to a broad range of organisational, governance, policy and commercial documentation.
The role is fully remote and flexible around professional or study commitments. Approximately two to four hours per month is anticipated initially, with additional time occasionally required for priority documents.
How to apply
Please apply through SEEK Volunteer and include a CV or LinkedIn profile outlining relevant experience or study. Applicants are encouraged to include a brief description of previous legal, policy, governance or drafting work.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an introductory online conversation with representatives from Rethink Australia. Please do not submit confidential, privileged or client-identifying work samples.