McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer

Field of Law

Health

Stage of Career

Undergraduates; Practising Lawyers

Contact Details

Address: Cancer Council Victoria, 615 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004
Phone: 03 9514 6100
Visit the McCabe Centre for Law and Cancer website
Email: info@mccabecentre.org

Description of Organisation

The McCabe Centre for Law & Cancer is the only centre of its kind. As a joint initiative of Cancer Council Victoria, the Union for International Cancer Control, and Cancer Council Australia, its vision is a world free from preventable cancers and in which all people affected by cancer have equitable access to safe, effective and affordable cancer treatment and care.

The McCabe Centre:

  • promotes the effective use of law for the prevention and control of cancer and other noncommunicable diseases
  • builds knowledge, expertise, capacity and networks at global, regional and domestic levels
  • conducts research and analysis
  • supports policy and legislative development both in Australia and internationally
  • collaborates with key international organisations including the World Health Organization

The McCabe Centre’s work spans the full spectrum of cancer prevention and control. Its two main streams focus on cancer prevention, including legal aspects of tobacco control and the prevention of obesity and alcohol-related harm, and on treatment and supportive care, including legal aspects of cancer treatment and services, medical treatment decision making, the regulation of health information and health practitioners, and the rights of people affected by cancer.

The McCabe Centre is a WHO Collaborating Centre for Law and Non-communicable Disease and a WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) Knowledge Hub for legal challenges to implementation of the WHO FCTC. One of its key programmes is the International Legal Training Programme on law and noncommunicable diseases, which more than 180 participants from 70 countries have attended since its first workshop in 2014.

Number of legal positions within organisation: 5-6

Information for university students/graduates

What are you looking for in a graduate?

Excellent technical legal skills, a demonstrated interest in cancer prevention, treatment, care and research.

Qualifications/skills required

Legal research, writing, and analytical skills

Ability to communicate technical legal content to a variety of audiences

What electives/areas of study are viewed favourably?

Public health law; International law subjects

Interview process: Interview with 2-3 McCabe Centre lawyers

What prior work/volunteer work is viewed favourably?

Legal policy, research, international law, public health experience

How does one apply:

Vacancies are advertised on http://www.cancervic.org.au/about/careers

Generally, the application process will involve submitting a cover letter, CV, and selection criteria specific to the position.

Do you require your applicants to be recent law graduates? If so, how recent?

No

Interview process:

Interview process: Interview with 2-3 McCabe Centre lawyers, potentially a second interview with Director of McCabe Centre.

Do you have a minimum Grade Point Average standard for an applicant's academic record?

No.

If there are any fails on a candidate's academic record how will they affect the recruitment process?

We consider candidates' academic records. A fail/s would be noted and probably taken into account.

What sorts of volunteer or internship opportunities are available?

Internships are available through the Melbourne Law School PILI (Public Interest Law Initiative) Internships Program.

Information for practising lawyers

What are you looking for in a permanent employee?

Excellent technical legal skills, relevant experience, demonstrated interest in and commitment to cancer prevention, treatment, care and research.

What prior work is viewed favourably?

Legal experience, policy and / or legal research positions.

On average, how many positions become available per year?

Occasional vacancies.

How many applications do you receive for these?

20-30

Where do you advertise your positions?

Law Institute of Victoria, Ethical Jobs, Seek, Social Justice Opportunities Career Guide

Do you use a recruitment agency?

No

Additional comments:

All staff and volunteers must be non-smokers

Right to work in Australia required

Successful applicants must complete a satisfactory National Police Check

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