Position Description Position Title Unit Division Group Location Reports to About the Ministry About the Position

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1 Position Title Unit Division Group Location Reports to Position Description Trade Law Adviser (Specialist) Trade Law Unit Legal Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group (MLG) Wellington Manager of the Trade Law Unit About the Ministry About the Position The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade works to make New Zealand's voice heard overseas and contributes directly to the security and well-being of all New Zealanders. Our vision is to act in the world to make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. Our mission is to create the conditions for New Zealand to thrive and to make its mark as a global citizen by: Being in the right places at the right time to actively drive new opportunities for New Zealand as well as to manage threats Building connections at home and internationally that enable us to achieve more than we could alone Taking a distinctively New Zealand approach, reflecting our diversity and heritage of integrity in foreign affairs Maintaining the highest standards of professional excellence in diplomacy, trade negotiations, international development and consular services Our values are professionalism, leadership, respect, collaboration and innovation. This role lies at the centre of our efforts to make New Zealanders more prosperous by contributing to New Zealand's trade and economic growth. Reporting to the Manager of the Trade Law Unit this Wellington-based role provides legal and policy analysis that supports New Zealand s trade priorities, negotiating activities and international litigation. You will be actively involved in New Zealand s trade agenda at a critical time due to the large number of negotiations underway, active MFAT In Confidence Page 1 of 5

2 trade litigation processes in the World Trade Organisation, and an increasing number of novel trade issues confronting our exporters and government. The work of the team includes: The trade law unit leads New Zealand s state-to-state WTO litigation. We are currently a co-complainant alongside the United States in a WTO dispute against Indonesia over agricultural restrictions that have cost our exporters over $1 billion in lost trade. This involves appearing in hearings at the WTO Geneva. We are also a third party supporting Australia in its WTO case defending its tobacco plain-packaging legislation and a third party in WTO cases against Canada concerning our wine exports. The trade law unit negotiates and implements international trade agreements. We are currently working on the following trade agreements: the European Union FTA, BREXIT, the Pacific Alliance (with Latin America), RCEP (with China, India, Japan, Korea, Australia and ASEAN) and an upgrade of the China FTA. The trade law unit provides legal advice to MFAT divisions, posts, other agencies and Ministers. We work closely with MFAT divisions and posts to provide trade law advice. We also work closely with other Ministers and other agencies as they implement a range of domestic government policies. The successful candidate will need to have appropriate legal qualifications and at least 3 years professional experience relevant to the unit s varied trade and legal work. We are looking for applicants who can: Provide timely, strategically sound and accurate legal analysis in support of our trade agenda. Contribute to and lead legal aspects of the negotiation of international trade agreements. Contribute to the unit s international litigation workload, including active WTO disputes. Demonstrate strong planning and organising skills with proven success delivering results. Work under pressure and meet deadlines. Manage multiple tasks and adjust priorities as needed. Specifically, this position supports the achievement of the unit s strategic priorities and high level outcomes as outlined under the key accountabilities. Relationships The position is required to build and maintain the following relationships: Internal (within MFAT) MFAT In Confidence Page 2 of 5

3 Unit Manager Legal Division and Trade Negotiations Division Other MFAT staff, both onshore and offshore External (outside MFAT) Other New Zealand government departments and agencies Stakeholders (from business and academia) Ministers and their offices Delegates from foreign governments and relevant intergovernmental organisations Key accountabilities The following key accountabilities of this role assist in delivering the Ministry s vision and mission. Role specific: Provide timely, strategically sound and accurate legal analysis and policy advice that supports Ministry and government trade priorities Contribute to and lead legal aspects of the negotiation of free trade agreements Contribute to the unit s involvement in international dispute settlement processes (e.g. WTO disputes) Provide legal advice in relation to compliance with and implementation of New Zealand s international trade law rights and obligations Leadership Contribute to the unit s delivery of its planned and agreed activity stream to realise its strategic priorities and high level outcomes Demonstrate the organisation s values, goals, policies and procedures in all aspects of work Buddy new members of the team supporting a culture of learning and sharing of experiences Peer review drafts prepared by other advisers in the unit Relationship Management Use the unit s map of relationships to influence decision-makers, policy-makers and thinkers to advance the unit s objectives Develop and maintain relationships with key internal and external stakeholders in order to advance the unit s objectives Legal/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 Provide legal/policy leadership within the unit on projects which advance the unit s objectives Manage a varied and substantive work programme, MFAT In Confidence Page 3 of 5

4 demonstrating expertise in prioritisation in accordance with the Ministry s strategic priorities Encourage an environment where existing assumptions and 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 Understand the Ministry s strategic priorities and high-level outcomes framework and how this role contributes to the framework Understand and apply the strategic context in which the Ministry operates, including priorities and perspectives of the Ministers, partner agencies and external stakeholders Understand tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles and have sufficient appreciation of Te Reo Māori to be able to apply the Ministry Māori dimension, underpinned by Ministry values, in a way that is relevant to the context of our business Using the Ministry s Capability and Leadership Frameworks, identify and participate in opportunities for learning and development Identify and pursue opportunities to build specialised skills, knowledge and experience aligned with the Ministry s Strategic Framework Contribute to Ministry-wide projects and emergency response situations Be aware of and adhere to the Ministry s Health and Safety policies and procedures 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 Qualifications, skills, knowledge and experience You must have the following qualifications, skills and experience: A minimum of a Bachelor of Laws. An undergraduate or postgraduate degree in international law or trade law would be desirable. At least three year s professional experience relevant to the unit s varied trade, economic and legal work. Strong legal analysis skills and an ability to communicate legal concepts and analysis clearly and effectively MFAT In Confidence Page 4 of 5

5 Strong negotiation and influencing skills Ability to think strategically and see linkages between different streams of work 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 Ability to work effectively with colleagues within the division Good judgment and decision making skills Desirable: Experience in trade law or a combination of trade law and trade policy would be desirable Admission to the bar would be desirable Additional Comments You must also: Hold New Zealand citizenship Be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate New Zealand Government security clearance MFAT In Confidence Page 5 of 5