Job Title: Solicitor - Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team
Role type: Permenant, full time
Location: Wellington
Salary Range: $85,302 - $100,000 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
This is a fantastic opportunity to become part of a busy and collegial directorate providing legal advice across a diverse and rewarding range of work, responding to the ministrys needs as required.
Responsibilities of this position will see you provide legal advice that identifies and provides options for managing legal risks in a way that supports business's and internal partnerships across MPI and supports our and their strategies and, where appropriate, whole of government issues.

Mōu - About You
We are looking for a Solicitor to join our Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team. You will have at least 2-5 years experience in public law or other relevant legal area.

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in law and a current New Zealand practising certificate, or the immediate ability to hold one.
• Post-admission experience in public law or another relevant area of law.
• Good attention to detail and drafting skills
• Ability to identify and make process improvements.
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships, good communication skills, and a collaborative work style.
• A can-do attitude with a proven track record in the delivery of useful and high-quality legal advice.
• Clear judgement and an ability to recognise and understand the implications of legal advice.
• A proven track record in building strong relationships with, and providing useful advice to, senior-level officials.
• Ability to support the Team Manager in the planning and management of resources and making process improvements for the benefit of the team, directorate, and our clients.

Desirable:

• Experience working in-house for a large regulator.
• Experience with the development and design of legislation.
• Knowledge of legislation administered by MPI and the regulatory environment in which MPI operates.

Mō tō mātou rōpū | About our Team
MPI Solicitors and Senior Solicitors are responsible for providing high quality, timely and practical legal advice. They are expected to work across MPI with a varied focus, develop technical excellence in a variety of areas of primary industries law, and confidently assess and manage legal risk.
The Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team provides general public law, legislative development, and litigation management support to MPI staff working in the areas of food safety, food export, and fisheries management. In particular to MPI Staff in the NZ Food Safety, Fisheries NZ, and Policy and Trade Business Groups.
MPI is committed to recruiting, recognising and creating opportunities for talented people to develop career paths within the organisation and beyond.
The Food Safety & Fisheries Law Team sits within the Legal Services Directorate at MPI. Legal Services covers a wide range of interesting work including public law operational advice, development of legislation, involvement in emergency responses for food, trade, and biosecurity, commercial arrangements, prosecutions, civil and public law litigation support, legal and organisational risk management, and training. While Solicitors are appointed to a particular team, we work very collaboratively, and have a rotation policy to provide the opportunity to move between teams.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Mentoring and coaching programmes

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working
We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks
Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
Applications close at midnight on 20 October 2024
If you have any questions about the role, please email kirsty.rogers@mpi.govt.nz
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