Senior Lawyer - Policy and Legislation

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Date: 23 Mar 2025

Location: Wellington, NZ

Company: Ministry of Social Development

  • Permanent role

  • Wellington based

 

Do you thrive in a dynamic environment where your legal expertise can help shape policy, mitigate risk, and support positive outcomes for New Zealanders? 

 

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 Policy and Legislation team works collaboratively with teams across The Ministry of Social Development to provide advice and support for policy and legislative development, and policy and operational policy implementation, in a way which achieves the Ministry’s regulatory stewardship obligations. 

 

 

Te āhua o te tūranga / About the role:

 

As a Senior Lawyer in the Policy and Legislation Legal Team, you will focus on providing legal advice on a broad range of operational and public law matters. This includes policy development, regulatory and legislative reform, drafting of secondary legislation, contributing to the drafting of primary legislation and advising on operational matters. You may also contribute to work done in other parts of the MSD Legal team.


You will play a crucial role in identifying legal risks, advising on legislative matters, and ensuring MSD meets its legal and compliance obligations. 


Additionally, you will mentor and support other legal staff, contributing to the overall capability and excellence of MSD Legal. The Senior law role involves working collaboratively with Lawyers, Senior Lawyers and the Ministry’s Principal Legislative Counsel.


This is a permanent Wellington based role. 
 

Nōu te rourou | What you bring:

 

  • 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.

 

Strong applicants that do not strictly meet all of the above criteria may be considered. 
 

Position Description

 

A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior Lawyer 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:  Thursday 3 April 2025 with interviews happening the week of Monday 7 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.