Senior Lawyer - Disability Support Services
Date: 24 Mar 2025
Location: Wellington, NZ
Company: Ministry of Social Development
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.
Mō te tīma / About our team:
The Disability Support Services (DSS) Group works to ensure fair access to disability support services in New Zealand, prioritising those with the greatest needs. Through the DSS Review Programme, the Group is focused on implementing key recommendations to deliver consistent, equitable services, prioritize high-needs individuals, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of DSS, all while upholding Enabling Good Lives (EGL) principles.
Mō te tūnga / About the role:
As the Senior Lawyer you will provide legal expertise, skills, and knowledge in the delivery of quality legal services (QLS) to MSD.
You will provide legal advice to Senior Managers on a range of operational, public law and corporate issues facing Disability Support Services to identify legal risk and ensure we meet our legal obligations in a way that betters outcomes for disabled people.
There is an opportunity for you to diversify and develop your skill set in different areas such as public, litigation and procurement and contract law. 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.
Ōu pūmanawatanga | What you bring:
- Experience as a generalist Barrister and Solicitor with a practicing certificate or be eligible for one.
- A strong understanding of public sector legal issues relevant to the Ministry’s business.
- Previous experience providing quality legal services to clients, including pro-actively anticipating client need and communicating effectively (both oral and written).
- Previous experience coaching and upskilling others.
- Proven ability to engage with diverse stakeholders and work collaboratively towards fair resolutions.
Position Description
A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Lawyer DSS position description.
Salary range: $120,870.00 - $150,416.00
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 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.
Closing date: Friday 11 April 2025.
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, 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.
MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.
