Senior Legal Counsel - Corporate (fixed term/secondment to June 2023) at New Zealand Customs Service, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

We are looking for an experienced Senior Legal Counsel to join the Customs Legal - Corporate team. This opportunity is for a fixed term or secondment to 30 June 2023 and will be based in our Wellington Customhouse.

Reporting to the Chief Legal Counsel - Corporate, you will work across many exciting legal areas, including law enforcement, COVID-19 response, national security, drugs and other prohibited goods, and tax/revenue collection. The Customs Legal team provides legal advice on policy and legislative development in the border sector, OIA and privacy law, information sharing, international arrangements with a focus on trade and travel, litigation and a wide range of operational issues arising under the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and other Acts we enforce at the border. 

Working as part of a supportive and engaged legal team that is committed to encouraging career development, you will work to achieve excellent results and enjoy using your initiative, judgement and experience. You will provide expert advice on a wide range of legal matters affecting Customs and ensure the delivery of high quality advice and professional service. You will enjoy engaging with the business to deliver results and, where appropriate, mentor less experienced colleagues to support their development in role.

To be successful as a Senior Legal Counsel you will:

• Be a qualified lawyer with at least 5 years' relevant post qualification experience;
• Have experience working in a government or relevant commercial environment, preferably with providing quick turnaround robust and practical legal advice to an operational team; 
• Lead the provision of high quality legal advice;
• Achieve results both within a team and independently, showing a high level of initiative and judgement, flexibility and a sense of responsibility;
• Communicate with influence.  

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To join Customs in any role, applicants must have New Zealand Citizenship or have NZ Permanent Residency and be able to obtain and maintain an organisational security clearance. The successful applicant will also be required to pass an initial drug test.

(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at the time of application;

OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 5 years and resides in NZ at the time of application, but may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

COVID-19 Vaccination requirement: All employees are required to be vaccinated in line with our Vaccination Policy. New employees will be required to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination prior to commencing employment. 

To express your interest, please apply on-line by submitting an up to date CV and cover letter that demonstrates your suitability and interest for the role. For further information about this position, please view the position description attached or contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.leahy@customs.govt.nz

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace.  We provide equal employment opportunities, consider flexible working arrangements and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.

Applications close at 11pm, Sunday 22 May 2022.

Our Benefits

• Learning and development opportunities
• Free in-house gym access (Wellington)
• Flexible working arrangements.