About us
 
The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. We're in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.
 
We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whānau and communities.
 
As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Māori, whānau, hapū, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.
 
Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Senior Lawyer

Permanent Opportunity

Location: Wellington 

Put your legal skills and experience to work, helping New Zealanders to be safe, strong and independent 

We are looking for a Senior Lawyer with experience in corporate and commercial law and developing and leading people, to join our busy in-house practice.  You'll be part of our supportive and collegial team providing quality legal services across a range of practice areas for the Ministry of Social Development with a focus on Corporate Advisory work.  
 

Technical requirements of the role:

We welcome candidates with experience arising from in-house, private practice, or other government department roles.  You'll have an extensive background in one or more of the following areas of law that the Corporate Advisory Team provides advice across the Ministry, including:

•    Contracting, including ICT, commercial, and social services
•    Strong drafting and negotiation skills and knowledge of government procurement
•    Relationship Agreements, Maori-Crown relations and MoUs 
•    Privacy and Information sharing 
•    Machinery of Government
•    Official Information Act, Protected Disclosure and health and safety.
 

Our ideal Senior Lawyers:

•    Provide clear, client-centred, legal advice on complex issues, including risk
•    Have strong research, writing and drafting skills and enjoy dealing with novel and complex issues
•    Enjoy working collaboratively and developing relationships with clients and colleagues
•    Can demonstrate experience in and commitment to coaching, managing, and developing others
•    Are curious, analytical and have an eye for detail 
•    Have excellent sense-making and critical thinking abilities

Work by all staff is collaborative and peer-reviewed and you will operate as part of a team, reporting to a Manager. Our team values diversity and we welcome flexible working. You'll join an inclusive and fun environment where we celebrate achievements and prioritise development.

If you would like to have a confidential chat with our management team to find out more about the role or the team, please contact John Bassett, Manager Corporate. John can be contacted via email at john.bassett004@msd.govt.nz.
 

Position Description

https://www.msd.govt.nz/hr/documents/position-descriptions/dce-organisational-assurance-and-communication/legal/senior-lawyer-oct20.docx

Remuneration

The Senior Lawyer role has a salary range of $100,014 to $150,022 dependant on experience.
 

How to apply

To apply, click the 'Apply Now' button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.  

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please write a cover letter highlighting how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description and the technical elements of the role, as well as 'Our ideal laywer' of no more than 2 pages. 

All applications must be made online.  If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

Internal MSD Employees â€“ please apply through your myHR portal at work.  This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Closing date:  Sunday, 13 March 2022

Joining us

Joining MSD means being part of a whānau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents.  We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Māori, HapÅ«, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy which requires employees to be fully vaccinated.