Senior Lawyer | 2 year fixed term
Date: 11 Aug 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
- Wellington based role
- Support us to strengthen disability support services
- 2 Year fixed term
Play a crucial role in identifying legal risks, advising on policy and legislative matters, and ensuring MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations.
About our team | Mō te tīma:
The Policy and Legislation team works collaboratively with teams across The Ministry of Social Development on policy and legislative development and implementation, in a way which achieves the Ministry’s regulatory stewardship obligations.
About the role | Mō te tūnga:
We are recruiting a Senior Lawyer for a fixed period to provide legal support for work being undertaken relating to the disability support system, including work to strengthen disability support services following the completion of the Independent Review of Disability Support Services.
As a Senior Lawyer in the Policy and Legislation team, you will play a crucial role in identifying legal risks, advising on policy and legislative matters, and ensuring MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations.
You will mentor and support other legal staff, contributing to the overall capability and excellence of MSD Legal.
The Senior Lawyer role involves working collaboratively with Lawyers, Senior Lawyers and the Ministry’s Principal Legislative Counsel.
This is a 2 Year fixed term role and based in Wellington.
We value diversity and welcome applications from disabled people and those who have lived experience with whānau, or the disability community. Please contact us if there is any support that we can provide to ensure the recruitment process is accessible to you.
What you bring | Ōu pūmanawatanga:
- Admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor in New Zealand and hold (or be eligible for) a practicing certificate.
- Prior experience in the Government Legal Network.
- An understanding of legal, policy, and practice issues relevant to the Ministry’s business including the legislation MSD administers and works with.
- Experience supporting policy and legislation development in the public service.
- Proven ability to provide high-quality legal services within a complex political and regulatory environment.
- The ability to work collaboratively with excellent relationship building skills.
- At least 4 years post qualification experience.
Position Description | He Whakaahuatanga Tūnga:
A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Lawyer position description.
Salary range | Utu-ā-tau: $120,870.00 - $150,416.00
About us | Mō mātou:
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.
How to apply | Me pēhea te tuku tono:
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 highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.
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 – please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.
Applications close | Ka kati ngā tono hei te: Monday 25 August 2025
Joining us | Ko te hono mai:
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, Hapū, 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.
