Legal Adviser, Sanctions

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

**Legal Adviser, Sanctions (Senior/Intermediate)**

- Provide strong analytical and legal advice relating to sanctions policy and law
- Join a high performing diverse team in a novel area of law
- Fixed term, Full-time opportunity based in Wellington, to June 2027
- Secondment from another government agency can be considered
- Provide strong analytical and legal output to support the Government's objectives in implementing New Zealand's Russia and UN sanctions._

**About the role** - **Korero mo te turanga**

The Legal Adviser (Senior/Intermediate) is a specialist professional position in the New Zealand Sanctions Unit, working with others in the team to provide sound legal and policy advice on the development, interpretation and implementation of New Zealand's Russia and UN sanctions legislation. We are looking for an experienced legal specialist keen to get involved in this dynamic area.

Your responsibilities will include:

- Designing effective regulations under the Russia Sanctions Act and UN Sanctions Act, consistent with legislation and executive approvals
- Provide written legal and policy advice to support questions of interpretation, responses to enquiries, and ongoing regulatory improvements
- Issuing drafting instructions to the Parliamentary Council Office, and working with Crown Law and other agencies as required
- Contributing to the on-going improvement of the sanction's regulatory framework
- Working as part of an active and welcoming team

This is exciting and challenging work and will see you working through complex legal issues, coaching, and mentoring other staff, and engaging with other MFAT teams, other agencies and international partners as required.

For more detail you can view the **position description here**.**

The full salary range for this role is $104,670 and $141,612 total remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver employer contribution. We expect to appoint around the midpoint $123,141 - give or take depending on your level of experience.

**Who are we looking for? - Ma wai te mahi nei?**

**We'd like to hear from you if you have the following skills and experience:
- A Bachelor's Law degree as a minimum
- Admitted to the bar (with the ability to obtain a New Zealand practicing certificate)
- 5+ years PQE
- Experience/knowledge in domestic law, and government regulatory practice or a commercial legal field relevant to sanctions
- Understanding of The Treaty of Waitangi/Te Tiriti, Te Reo Maori and Maori customs and protocols would be beneficial

**Why** MFAT? - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu 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.

**About us - Mo matou**

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 New Zealand's interests and pursue New Zealand's values. We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world.

**To Apply/Interested? - Me pehea te tuku tono**

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

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 6pm on Wednesday 20th August 2025.**
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**Please note**:This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role. This is a 'Corporate' role (known as a specialist role) based in central Wellington, NZ.