Solicitor

• Litigator required for in-house team – we are open to applications from recent graduates through to solicitors with up to 4 years PQE.
• Develop your litigation experience across a broad variety of subject areas and build your career within MBIE.
• Flexible working options available to support work-life balance
• Permanent position based in Wellington CBD
• Salary range $75K - $121K plus kiwisaver

The purpose of The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) is to Grow Aotearoa New Zealand for All.  We will do this by helping businesses to become more productive and internationally competitive, and by increasing opportunities for all New Zealanders to contribute to the economy. 

At MBIE, we look for people who are passionate about New Zealand and enthusiastic about making a positive change to our economy, our people and our safety. If you would like to play an integral part in our Ministry, then read on. 

As part of the Corporate Services, Finance and Enablement group the Legal, Ethics, and Privacy Branch is responsible for providing a centre of legal advice, leadership and expertise for the Ministry, and an exemplar of best practice for both the public service and the wider New Zealand labour and business markets. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a litigator to join our Wellington based litigation team. In this role you will advise on and appear in proceedings before a variety of Courts, Tribunals, Authorities, and licensing boards, on civil and criminal matters arising in relation to the broad range of enforcement activities across MBIE. These include: enforcement of minimum employment standards in the Employment Relations Authority and Employment Court, criminal prosecutions and civil appeals in the District Court on proceedings ranging from immigration to Crown minerals and licensed building work, appearances before the Tenancy Tribunal, refugee and deportation appeals in the Immigration and Protection Tribunal and disciplinary complaints before occupational licensing boards. Experience in immigration law, employment law and/or criminal law is desirable. This role does involve travel.

Salary range:

Solicitor 1    $75K - $88K
Solicitor 2    $101K - $121K

Why work for us?

We aim to create a culture where our people are empowered to bring fresh perspectives to issues and to develop new approaches.  Our collaborative team encourages a positive, customer focussed, innovative and best in class attitude.  We are a fun, focused and supportive team who works hard to deliver excellence to our clients. 

We proactively support development through on-the-job learning, training courses, targeted conferences and seminars, development programmes, rotations to other branches and study opportunities.

We provide a wide range of flexible working arrangements to support work-life balance.  Talk to us to find out what might work for both you and for us.
 

To be successful in this highly paced role, you will need to have the following:

• A tertiary qualification in law and a current practising certificate
• A team player ethos across the litigation team and branch
• Strong technical skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills and proven ability to draft legal documentation
• Enthusiasm, drive and proactive nature

Experience in criminal law, immigration and/or employment law will be an advantage.
 

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Click here to view Solicitor 1 position description.

Click here to view Solicitor 2 position description

All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Dorinda Te Kiri at dorinda.tekiri@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/15861 if you have any further questions.

Applications close 29 September 2024