Principal Advisor, Constitutional Arrangements And Treaty

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

We are currently looking for a permanent Principal Advisor to join the Constitutional Arrangements and Treaty Team.

Our work in the Policy Group is wide ranging, with opportunities to shape thinking and drive social change across the justice sector and all of government. It's exciting and challenging, with a chance to regularly apply your communication and relationship management skills, work with a wide range of stakeholders, and learn every day.

O pukenga/Skills and Experience

We are seeking applicants from diverse backgrounds who bring a variety of life experiences and skills. If you have experience as a thoughtful problem solver and you work well as part of a team, then we want to hear from you.

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Relationship skills - Strong skills in engaging diverse internal and external stakeholders, and incorporating their perspectives
• Leadership skills - Experience in leading others in significant policy projects, and applying a coaching approach to enhance the capability of advisors and senior advisors
• Advisory skills - Extensive knowledge of machinery of government and public policy, and the ability to anticipate risks and test analyses
• Communication skills - Excellent written and oral communication skills - in particular, the ability to present complex issues in an accessible way, and ask questions to improve understanding.

In turn, we will:

• prioritise your well-being and professional development
• empower you to coach others, and be coached by experienced policy professionals
• provide opportunities to work on a broad range of important and challenging policy problems, and
• provide a flexible working environment.

Mo te tima/About Constitutional Arrangements and Treaty Team.

At Te Tahu o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand.

We provide advice to Ministers that promotes and protects the human rights of all people in Aotearoa New Zealand, so that diversity is valued, and human dignity and rights are respected.

The Constitutional Arrangements and Treaty team was formally established in February 2024 and is responsible for our constitutional arrangements related to the foundations and powers of the state (e.g. the Constitution Act 1986).

The team has an important strategic role contributing to the development of constitutional law and policy in a way that reflects te Tiriti o Waitangi. Other emerging issues include considering future developments in our constitutional arrangements (e.g. republicanism and executive government) and how we manage constitutional change.

The team also has a strong emphasis on developing and implementing the national action against racism.

The Constitutional Arrangements and Treaty team is part of the Ministry's Civil & Constitutional Policy Unit.

Utu a-tau/Salary

The appointing salary for this role will be between $128,129 and $166,062 based on skills and experience.

Tono mai/Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position description here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Applications close on 4 December; however, we will be reviewing CVs as they come in and inviting successful candidates to interview before the close date.

If you have any questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz

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