Lead Adviser Security Issues, Legal Division Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group

Transcription

1 Lead Adviser Security Issues, Legal Division Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group The Legal Division at MFAT is the Government s main adviser on international law, and advises Ministers, MFAT and other departments on New Zealand s international obligations. The Legal Division participates in treaty negotiations and implements treaties and other international obligations in New Zealand law. The Legal Division also leads on the enforcement of international obligations and international dispute settlement. The Lead Adviser is responsible for providing strong legal and policy input and leadership in support of the government s foreign policy objectives in the international peace and security area. This role is part of the legal division s leadership team. It requires issue leadership and supervision over complex legal and policy matters and coaching and mentoring of less experienced staff. It also involves leadership of significant legal projects. Areas of work include international legal issues related to maritime security, cyber security, cyber-crime and other transnational crime, counter-terrorism, new weapons, and space. You will have experience in working in government and international processes and have the skills to represent the Ministry in domestic and international forums. You will possess an LLB as a minimum, preferably with post-graduate study in international law or considerable experience advising on public international law. Your relationship management, influencing and negotiating skills will be exemplary and you will be confident in leading and developing staff who do not directly report to you.

2 Position Description Position Title Lead Adviser Security issues, Legal Division Reports To DM LGL Group Legal Division, Multilateral and Legal Group Location Wellington Date Created/Updated August 2018 About the Ministry The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (the Ministry) acts in the world to make New Zealand safer and more prosperous. It does this by working to understand geopolitical changes across the world, advancing the Government s international priorities, and providing advice to the Government on its implications. By building connections and influence in other countries we act to promote and protect New Zealand s interests. We seek to deliver value to New Zealand and New Zealanders, through: improved prosperity for New Zealand and our region the stability, security and resilience of our country, our people and our region leadership by amplifying New Zealand s influence and standing in the world kaitiakitanga or stewardship, by delivering solutions to global challenges for the benefit of present and future generations. Our values are: Impact We achieve for New Zealand, everyday, everywhere Kotahitanga We draw strength from our diversity Courage We do the right thing Manaakitanga We honour and respect others Diversity and Inclusion We aspire to be a workplace that values and utilises diverse and inclusive thinking, people and behaviours. This means that our staff reflect the diversity of New Zealand and the

3 countries we work in, and that the contributions of staff with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives are valued and respected. About the Legal Division The Legal Division provides advice and input in relation to the legal frameworks that underpin most of New Zealand s international economic and political relationships; and in the many negotiations being pursued to enhance New Zealand s economic, political and security interests in fields such as trade, fisheries and oceans, environment, human rights, counter-terrorism, disarmament, and cyber security. It is more important than ever that New Zealand s independent voice is heard and its diplomatic and negotiating presence is enhanced. New Zealand is facing increasingly complex and dynamic security challenges including challenges to sovereignty, nuclear proliferation, terrorism, cyber-crime, and interference in countries domestic affairs, transnational crime and humanitarian crises. Legal aspects of security issues are a key area of the Division s work and span the work of both the General International Law Unit and the Environment and Resources Law Unit. About the Position The Lead Adviser is responsible for providing strong analytical and intellectual legal input and leadership in support of the government s foreign policy objectives in the security area. This role is part of the legal division s leadership team. It requires issue leadership and supervision over complex legal and policy matters and coaching and mentoring of less experienced staff. It also involves leadership of significant legal projects. Specifically, this position supports the achievement of the unit s strategic priorities and high level outcomes as outlined under the key accountabilities. Examples of the types of subject areas likely to fall within this role are: - Responding and developing sound approaches to new and emerging security challenges such as those relating to cyber security, cyber-crime and other transnational crime, counter-terrorism, autonomous weapons systems, and space. - Improving New Zealand s performance in areas of ongoing responsibility such as export controls, sanctions implementation and enforcement. - Maritime security and sovereignty issues, both those related to New Zealand s control of its own maritime zones as well as territorial disputes raising legal questions including under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and NZ s response to sea level rise. Key Accountabilities The following key accountabilities of this role assist in delivering the Ministry s purpose:

4 Role specific Provide timely, strategically sound and accurate legal analysis and advice that supports Ministry and government security related foreign policy priorities Lead negotiation of new international law instruments, ensuring the provision of strategic input to help shape the New Zealand position Represent the Ministry in bilateral talks, government processes and in negotiations, providing high level legal advice in relation to compliance with and implementation of New Zealand s security related international law rights and obligations People leadership This role is part of the legal division s leadership team. It requires issue leadership and supervision over complex legal and policy matters, and coaching and mentoring of less experienced staff. Contribute to the unit s delivery of its planned and agreed activity stream to realise its strategic priorities and high level outcomes Build strong team spirit and level of engagement, acknowledging team contribution and achievement as appropriate Lead staff so they are empowered to make decisions, while consulting on issues that need wider consideration Formally coach and mentor team members by fostering high standards in the quality of outputs and ensuring a culture of learning, sharing experiences and constructively challenging thinking Using the Learning and Career Development Framework, policies and programmes, identify and encourage team members to develop specialised skills, knowledge and experience in priority areas as required to deliver the Ministry s Strategic Framework Demonstrate the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures in all aspects of work. Relationship Management Use the division s map of relationships to influence decision-makers, policy-makers and thinkers to advance the unit s objectives Contribute to the review and refresh of the division s network in light of developments in strategic priorities Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in order to advance the division s objectives. The position is required to build and maintain the following relationships: Internal (within MFAT) o Divisional manager o Unit managers of General International Law Unit and Environment and Resources Law Unit o Division staff o Other MFAT staff, both onshore and offshore. External (outside MFAT) o Minister/s o Other government departments and agencies o Diplomatic missions o Business, academia, regional and international organisations and institutions, Māori and the wider community. Policy Development and Delivery Develop and deliver robust legal advice through leading or working on complex multi sector issues with significant sensitivity and risk; identify and recommend processes for resolving problems

5 Provide policy leadership within the unit on projects which advance the unit s objectives Manage a varied and substantive work programme, demonstrating expertise in prioritisation in accordance with the Ministry s strategic priorities Complete rigorous peer review of legal advice to ensure quality and consistency Encourage an environment where existing assumptions and policy approaches are regularly tested and constructively challenged Advocate New Zealand interests and positions to other governments and New Zealand government agencies and report on outcomes Represent the Ministry in policy discussions, advocacy meetings, and domestic outreach, as required Take part in or lead New Zealand delegations for bilateral, regional and international meetings and negotiations. Organisational Responsibilities Demonstrate and lead alignment with the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures Understand and apply the strategic context in which the Ministry operates, including priorities and perspectives of the Ministers, partner agencies and external stakeholders Actively input into and support the Ministry s strategic priorities and high-level outcomes framework Contribute to the preparation and reporting requirements of the Ministry s accountability documents Foster strong working relationships across the Ministry Contribute to Ministry-wide projects and emergency response situations Apply tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles, ensuring staff also have a good understanding and are able to apply the Ministry Māori dimension in a way that is relevant to the context of our business and underpinned by Ministry values All other duties as requested by the employer Knowledge Management Contribute to the continuous development of the Ministry s knowledge base by using the Ministry s internal systems, sharing information and data with relevant internal stakeholders, including contributing to/presenting at internal learning and development opportunities Qualifications, Skills, knowledge & experience The following are required: You must have the following qualifications, skills and experience: A minimum of a Bachelor of Laws. Undergraduate or post graduate study in international law would be desirable. Extensive experience in working in with public international law issues or a combination of legal experience and relevant foreign policy experience. Strong skills in legal analysis and an ability to communicate legal concepts and analysis clearly and effectively Extensive experience representing NZ in international forums. Strong negotiation and influencing skills. A high level of leadership acumen. This includes: o Demonstrates the drive and ability to improve own capability. Includes selfawareness and self-improvement focus o Shows the drive and resilience to contribute proactively and deliver sustainable high performance o Ability to coach and develop people, to ensure that staff have the right skills to do their jobs well and progress in their careers

6 Ability to think strategically and identify themes and issues emerging from a range of competing information Experience providing intellectual and professional leadership to a team of highly skilled professionals Experience in developing and providing strategic and technical policy advice Track record of creating practical solutions to complex and ambiguous problems Strong written and verbal skills Ability to build, maintain and leverage relationships with key internal and external contacts Strong planning and organising skills Good understanding of tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles Competent in Microsoft Office suite of products A good understanding of the machinery of government and the government decision making process Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills Ability to work effectively with colleagues within the division Good judgment and decision making skills. Mandatory Role Requirements You must be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government Security clearance. You must hold New Zealand citizenship.