Are you an experienced lawyer looking to take your career to the next level? Do you want to play an important role in the protection of New Zealand's borders and reconnecting New Zealand to the world after COVID-19? If so, this role could be for you.
Customs Legal is looking for a Principal Legal Counsel to join its Legal Operations team. This role will be based in our Auckland Customhouse and will report to the Chief Legal Counsel, Operations.
As Principal Legal Counsel, you will be expected to operate independently in areas of significant complexity and importance for Customs Legal. This role will require you to provide urgent advice and trouble-shoot on matters of important significance. In addition, you will have responsibility for substantial legal issues and/or work-streams and the ability to stand in for the Chief Legal Counsel from time to time.
On occasion, you will undertake work that requires time and space (to dedicate to in-depth complex opinions, advice drafting and training), time given to address any major issues of greatest concern to Customs.
You will be a professional leader and provide a mentoring role to staff within the Legal Operations team, and will contribute to activities to ensure Customs operates within the law at all times. The Principal Legal Counsel will also lead key projects both within the team and in conjunction with key stakeholders within the Service and beyond.
Working as part of a supportive, engaged and high-performing legal team that is committed to encouraging career development, you will work to achieve excellent results and enjoy using your initiative, judgement and experience.
To be successful as a Principal Legal Counsel - Operations, the successful candidate requires the following knowledge, experience, skills and personal attributes:
- A qualified lawyer with at least an undergraduate degree in law and significant relevant post qualification experience
- Demonstrated thought leadership and ability to operate independently in areas of significant complexity, importance, and urgency; showing a high level of initiative and judgement, including lead significant legal issues and /or work-streams
- A positive outlook, sense of responsibility, a team player and high energy levels to contribute proactively to the team,
- A professional leader providing mentoring, coaching and professional development practices for the team, and demonstrated ability to lead legal processes and continuous improvement practices so that the team operates efficiently and professionally
- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills including sound judgement and decision making skills in areas of complexity and ambiguity
- Able to explain complex or detailed technical matters to others in a manner appropriate to achieve audience understanding
- Able to obtain and maintain security clearance to Top Secret level.
Apply now
To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident*.
(*) A New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in NZ at time of application;
OR a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in NZ at 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.
Applicants must have New Zealand Citizenship or have NZ Permanent Residency and be able to obtain and maintain an organisational security clearance to Top Secret level. The successful applicant will also be required to pass an initial drug test. For further information about this role, please contact Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at [email protected]
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.
Please visit our website http://www.customs.govt.nz.to apply on line submitting a CV and Cover Letter that demonstrates your ability to meet the competencies required for the role as outlined in the position description along with what attracts you to this position and working within the New Zealand Customs Service.
Applications close at 11pm, Friday 19 November 2021.
Our Benefits
- Discounted health insurance for permanent staff
- Learning and development opportunities
- Flexible working arrangements.