Principal & Senior Solicitors

**Position Titles**:Principal Solicitor and Senior Solicitor

**Team and Group**:Legal, Corporate Services

**Position Type**:Permanent, Full Time

**Location**:Wellington CBD office

**Salary**: $109,208 - $155,000

**About the opportunities | Nga whakamarama mo te tunga**

Our legal team plays a key role in shaping policy and crafting effective legislation. We guide regulatory choices, manage legal risk, and provide expert advice across the Ministry - from commercial contracts to regulatory decision-making.

Exciting opportunities are now open for a Principal Solicitor and Senior Solicitor to join our talented Legal team.

**Principal Solicitor**
In this newly created role, alongside our existing Principal Solicitors, your key responsibilities will include:

- Driving the delivery of high-quality and robust legal advice
- Overseeing and providing legal advice on new and amending legislation, including instructing Parliamentary Counsel, and attending Cabinet Committees and Select Committees
- Providing strong intellectual leadership in drafting transport rules and associated secondary legislation, including preparing drafting instructions and liaison with transport agencies and other Government Departments
- Leading the delivery of legal advice on Official Information Act and Privacy Acts requests as well as liaising with the Ombudsman's office and Privacy Commissioner regarding complaints
- Providing thought leadership to inform, drive and challenge Ministry thinking and support policy recommendations
- Enhancing the overall capability of the team through coaching and mentoring team members.

We are open to receiving interest from Senior Solicitors with relevant experience who are motivated and ready to take the next step in their career.

**Senior Solicitor**

As one of the Senior Solicitors in the team you will be responsible for:

- Providing general legal advice to the Ministry and Ministers
- Providing robust legal advice on the development of policy
- Providing legal and other services related to new and amending legislation, including instructing Parliamentary Counsel, and attending cabinet committees and Select Committees
- Providing input into draft transport rules and associated regulations
- Providing legal advice on Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests and liaising with the Ombudsman's office and Privacy Commissioner regarding complaints
- Instructing Crown Solicitors and Crown Counsel on litigation involving Ministers or the Ministry
- Drafting and reviewing contracts and agreements and reviewing other documents relating to the Ministry's activities
- Providing training and development to the Ministry's staff requiring legislative knowledge where appropriate
- Providing guidance and on-the-job training and coaching to more junior team members and providing peer review within the team.

**Te wahi ki a koe | What you'll bring**
- A Law degree and the ability to hold a legal practicing certificate
- Successful demonstrated experience as a Solicitor in an in-house legal role
- Experience in the development of legislation and the Parliamentary process
- Demonstrated ability to engage with and influence others across a range of disciplines
- Experience in building and maintaining high-quality stakeholder relationships
- A continued interest in developing your cultural capability and capacity in te ao Maori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi to help strengthen your legal advice.

**Salary range | Whanuitanga Utu a-Tau**

The salary range for the positions is $109,208 - $155,000 per annum + KiwiSaver. The salary offered will reflect the role level as well as the skills and experience you bring.

**What we offer | Te wahi ki a matou**

You'll be joining a small and agile agency with strong values. We maintain a flat structure and strive towards being a high-performing Ministry motivated to achieve success and develop their people.

You'll receive a range of employee benefits including additional Ministry leave days, health and wellbeing benefits and a welcoming range of employee networks.

You'll be part of small, approachable and close-knit legal team that values collaboration, expertise and making a real impact. You'll also collaborate across the wider ministry and public service
- including internal teams and external stakeholders, Parliamentary Counsel, Crown Law, other government agencies and service providers.

Join us and be a part of our passionate ministry, shaping the future of transport in New Zealand.

**About the Ministry of Transport | He kupu mo matou Te Manatu Waka**

The Ministry of Transport is an impartial, expert and trusted adviser to government, shaping transport for New Zealand. We work to deliver a well-functioning transport system that helps grow New Zealand's economy and productivity. The Ministry's values are integrity, excellence, and collaboration.

You must have right to live and work in New Zealand and be based in Wellington or, be ready to re