International Law Specialist

Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade; Wellington; On-site; NZD 91,000 - 108,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Rainbow Tick accreditation

Flexible work options

Job summary

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking a NZ-qualified lawyer to join the Trade Law unit in Wellington. You will provide strategic legal advice on international trade rules and engage with stakeholders to advance New Zealand's trade priorities.

The role requires 2-3 years of experience, a Professional Legal Studies Course, and strong written and verbal communication, with eligibility for high-security clearance. This is a permanent, Wellington-based appointment.

Qualifications

• NZ-qualified lawyer with 2–3 years’ experience and completion of a Professional Legal Studies Course.
• Experience or exposure to international trade law or broader international law.
• Strong written and verbal communication with stakeholders at varying levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, strategic legal analysis and advice supporting NZ trade priorities.
• Negotiate international trade-related instruments and shape NZ positions.
• Advise on compliance with NZ international trade law rights and obligations.
• Contribute to international dispute settlement processes (WTO disputes, FTAs).

Skills

International trade law

Stakeholder engagement

Legal drafting

Education

Professional Legal Studies Course

NZ Law Degree (LLB)

Job description

The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders. Kia hangai ake e te Manatu he ao-haumaru, ao-tonui, ao-pumau, ki te oranga tonutanga mo Aotearoa whanui.

Provide strategic legal and policy advice on international trade. Support delivery of New Zealand's trade priorities.

Permanent, Wellington based.

Play a pivotal role in advancing New Zealand's trade priorities through strategic legal advice and international engagement.

About the role – Kōrero mō te tūranga

The Trade Law unit is a key part of ensuring New Zealand's voice is heard in the turbulent context around trade rules, trade policy and need to support the rules-based trading system. In the Trade Law Unit, you will provide legal advice on the frameworks that underpin New Zealand's international trade relations, input into New Zealand's trade negotiating and implementation agenda, and engage and consult with stakeholders around trade rules and trade agreements, particularly with Māori. You will also participate in WTO cases (including a third party) and engage with bilateral and thematic teams considering the non-tariff barriers faced by New Zealand exporters in other markets.

Key responsibilities

• Provide timely, strategically sound and accurate legal analysis and advice that supports Ministry and government trade priorities
• Negotiate international trade-related instruments, ensuring the provision of strategic input to help shape the NewZealand position
• Provide legal advice in relation to compliance with and implementation of NewZealand's international trade law rights and obligations
• Contribute to the unit's involvement in international dispute settlement processes (e.g. WTO disputes and FTA disputes)
• Demonstrate the organisation's values, goals, policies and procedures in all aspects of work

The salary range for this role is $91,000 to $107,520 total remuneration, inclusive of our KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint depending on your level of experience.

Who are we looking for? – Mā wai te mahi nei?

We'd like to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:

• NZ qualified lawyer with at least 2-3 years' experience (and have completed a Professional Legal Studies Course)
• Experience/exposure to international trade law or broader international law
• Strong communication skills both written and verbal with the confidence and ability to connect with a range of stakeholders at varying levels, both internally and externally.

Why MFAT? – Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.

Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.

About us – Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.

By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance NewZealand's interests and pursue NewZealand's values.

We provide advice to the Government on the implications for NewZealand of what is happening in the world.

To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen.

You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Top Secret clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool.

Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Applications close at midnight on 5th November 2026.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role. This is a 'Corporate' role (known here as a specialist role based in central Wellington, NZ).

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be 'posted' outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.