The Ministry acts in the world to build a safer, more prosperous and more sustainable future for New Zealanders.
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.
MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging. We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
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
Apply today with your CV and cover letter.
For a confidential discussion please email recruitment@mfat.govt.nz
To be considered for this position at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade you must be a NZ citizen, or Permanent Resident.
You must be able to obtain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. Ordinarily, to obtain this level of clearance candidates must have sufficient checkable background in countries where meaningful and reliable checks can be undertaken. Where requisite checks are unable to be made, the candidate application may not be able to be progressed.
Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool
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.
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.
While it is not usual for specialist staff to be `posted' outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.
If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.