Member - Employment Relations Authority at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Multiple Locations

Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is inviting expressions of interest from candidates who wish to be considered for appointment as Members of the Employment Relations Authority (the Authority).

The Authority operates under the Employment Relations Act 2000 (the Act).  It is an investigative body that resolves employment relationship problems by establishing the facts and making a determination according to the substantial merits of the case, without regard to technicalities.

The Authority's statutory duties include:

• Assisting employers and employees (and their representatives) to achieve and maintain successful employment relationships, by resolving problems that arise
• Facilitating bargaining for collective agreements, including for pay equity, and subject to the passage of legislation before Parliament, for Fair Pay Agreements and Screen Industry Workers 
• Investigating and determining those matters for which it has jurisdiction
• Enforcement of mediated settlements 
• Enforcement of minimum employment standards and imposing penalties for proven breaches. 

Further information about the Authority and its activities can be found here

• Knowledge of tikanga Māori, the Treaty of Waitangi, and the application of the principles of the Treaty to employment issues
• Knowledge and understanding of the New Zealand employment relations system, including the Employment Relations Act 2000 and other relevant legislation, and an understanding of the principles of good faith, which underpin that system
• Knowledge and understanding of employment dispute resolution mechanisms
• Demonstrated knowledge of the dynamics of the employment relationship
• Demonstrated competence in the conduct of hearings and/or inquiries, and a knowledge of procedures that ensure investigations are conducted in a manner that is reasonable
• Demonstrated competence in gathering information in a way that is not restricted by legal technicalities
• Demonstrated competence in taking and assessing evidence and the development and application of flexible procedures that facilitate pragmatic decision-making
• Demonstrated competence in the writing of clear, concise reports and in the interpretation of employment agreements and employment legislation

Candidates with the following specialised skills and expertise are also sought:

• Candidates who are experienced in the dynamics of multi-employer bargaining, including complex wage negotiation and settlement
• Candidates who can bring a deep understanding of New Zealand’s labour market, prevailing labour market conditions and remuneration

Desirable skills and expertise:

• Arbitration, tribunal adjudicative or dispute resolution experience would be advantageous
• Bachelor of Law (LLB) degree or equivalent qualification is desirable 

How to apply:

For further details about the role, view the Position Description

Candidates are invited  to complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) form. The EOI form can be requested via email to ERAExpressionsOfInterest@mbie.govt.nz

Candidates may then submit their application, including the EOI form, Curriculum Vitae and a Covering Letter by email to the above address

Applications close at 5pm on Thursday 28th July 2022.

#LI-MBIE