Senior Lawyer - Auckland

Ministry of Social Development NZ; Auckland; On-site; NZD 122,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Ministry of Social Development NZ – Auckland, North Island seeks a senior lawyer to provide quality legal advice to regional staff and support internal clients in decision-making across a broad portfolio. You will contribute to risk management and professional development within the legal team.

The role focuses on advisory work, appeals advocacy before the Social Security Appeal Authority, and prosecutions in the District Court.

Qualifications

• Advanced statutory interpretation skills and knowledge of MSD legislation, policies, practices and systems.
• Experience in providing quality legal advice to internal clients.
• Familiarity with court processes and litigation desirable, and training/mentoring lawyers valued.

Responsibilities

• Provide quality legal advice to regional staff and internal clients.
• Advocacy on appeals before the Social Security Appeal Authority.
• Conduct prosecutions in the District Court and support front-line staff.

Skills

Statutory interpretation

Legal advice

Court processes

Mentoring lawyers

Collaboration

Prosecutor classification

Education

NZ Practising Certificate

Job description

Ministry of Social Development NZ – Auckland, North Island

Permanent, full time opportunity available

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

We are seeking an enthusiastic senior lawyer with high levels of integrity and professionalism to join our supportive and collegial team, in providing quality legal services for the Ministry of Social Development.

The Northern Regional Legal Team is one of several legal teams within MSD Legal. Our team works across a diverse portfolio including frontline service delivery advice, Social Security Appeal Authority advocacy, benefit fraud, integrity matters, and helping MSD manage legal risk while delivering positive outcomes for New Zealanders.

About the role | Mō te tūnga

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) is involved in supporting New Zealanders through income, housing and employment support.

We are looking for a senior lawyer experienced in working with a broad range of internal clients to support the work that MSD does to help New Zealanders.

The focus of this Senior Lawyer role is to provide quality legal advice to regional staff and help our internal clients make great decisions while supporting the growth and development of their colleagues.

You will need excellent statutory interpretation skills and ideally sound knowledge of the Ministry's legislation, policies, practices, and systems. Experience and/or familiarity with court processes and litigation is desirable. Government legal team experience, and experience in training and developing and mentoring lawyers is also desirable.

We are looking for a practical lawyer who would enjoy helping our internal clients lawfully achieve their goals. The focus of the role is providing advice to front line staff, advocacy on appeals before the Social Security Appeal Authority and conducting prosecutions in the District Court.

• Be curious, analytical and have a strong eye for detail
• Ideally you have level 3 prosecutor classification or sufficient experience to obtain level 3
• Proven ability to provide high-quality legal services within a complex environment
• Coach, mentor and develop Lawyers
• Enjoy working collaboratively and developing trusting relationships with clients
• Support team working
• Hold a current New Zealand practising certificate (or be eligible to hold one)
• Hold a full New Zealand drivers licence

What's in it for you l Nōu te rourou

We care about the growth and wellness of our people. We are committed to providing you with a positive work environment and you will work with like-minded people who want to get great results for New Zealanders.

We celebrate achievements and prioritise action. Our team values diversity and we are working towards Te Ao Māori being embedded in the way we do things at MSD and we would love you to join us on this journey.

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

Salary | Utu-ā-tau: $122,381.00 - $152,296.00

The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) 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 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.

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. You can find out more about our values here.

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