Senior Solicitor | Christchurch

Job Description

Senior Solicitor – Permanent position

Location- Christchurch

Permanent- Full Time 

The salary for Senior Solicitor role is circa $92,073 to $128,972k depending on skills and experience.

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Prosecutions Team conducts well over 100 prosecutions a year across the various Acts MPI administers. Whilst the most common areas are Fisheries and Animal Welfare, it would not be unusual to also work across the Biosecurity, Forestry (climate change) Food and Wine sectors and that's just in one day! No two days are alike in this role, and the depth and breadth of the prosecutions work is fascinating and fulfilling.

To help us with our busy workload in the South Island, we have an exciting opportunity for an experienced lawyer to join our highly skilled and very collegial Prosecutions Team, based in Christchurch.  The Team is responsible for the provision of operational legal advice and prosecution services on an array of matters where non-compliance is detected.

A core part of the job will involve conducting the Ministry's prosecutions in the regional District Courts in accordance with relevant policy and legislation and conducting reviews of investigation files submitted to Prosecutions Services. 

You will also have other responsibilities such as:

• Contributing to the wider legal team with advice on the interpretation of statutory provisions and new legislation
• Doing opinion work on specific issues and matters of statutory interpretation
• Providing legal advice on OIA requests
• Providing operational advice (e.g. search warrants and production orders)
• Training our frontline compliance staff
• Working closely with the Crown Solicitor network on cases on which you are the instructing solicitor

Mōu - About You

For this you will ideally have completed relevant litigation skills training and have a good level of trial and court experience that would be equivalent to level 3 classification in terms of the Classification of In-House Public Prosecutors' Framework.

You will also need:

• Excellent written and oral skills and an ability to communicate with clients clearly and precisely
• Ability to provide well-researched, contextualised and solution-focussed legal advice with options for managing any legal risk identified
• Good interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and build and maintain effective professional working relationships with clients across MPI
• Full driving licence, as some travel to regional courts is required

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

The food and primary industries have long been the backbone of the New Zealand economy and a critical part of New Zealand's social structure. Collectively, the primary industries represent 79 percent of New Zealand's merchandise exports with the primary sector employing approximately 350,000 people.

The success of the primary sector is vital for New Zealand's prosperity and wellbeing. In order to protect our way of life well into the future, our primary sectors must thrive, our natural environment must be protected and the food we consume must be safe.  To ensure this, the Ministry for Primary Industries is focussed on meeting its vision where New Zealand is the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

It is a big job which stretches from paddock, orchard, forest and ocean, through the processing, packaging, and transportation system, all the way to the market, and ultimately to consumers worldwide.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here

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

• Up to three additional (MPI holidays) leave days
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Wellness benefit for employees
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Parental leave ex-gratia payment
• Paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Study assistance available
• Flexible working - we support work life balance and flexible work arrangements whenever possible

See the benefits of working at MPI

The salary for Senior Solicitor role is circa $92,073 to $128,972k depending on skills and experience.

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ 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, NZ, 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 NZ 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.

  Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online careers portal.  No applications from recruitment agencies.

To apply for this role 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.

The closing date is midnight 4 July 2022

If you have any questions about the role, please email deepti.acharya@mpi.govt.nz

The Ministry for Primary Industries is committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values inclusion and diversity. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to our communities in Aotearoa. In return you'll enjoy an inclusive and flexible working environment in a diverse team of people while you're growing your career here in NZ and internationally. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.