Experienced Legislative Drafters

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Would you like to work at the heart of government, designing and developing New Zealand's laws?

Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata | Parliamentary Counsel Office (PCO) plays a critical and distinctive role in developing and designing legislation. We work closely with our colleagues across Government to deliver legislation that is fit-for-purpose, constitutionally sound, and accessible.

We are looking to grow our team of experienced legislative drafters. As part of this team, you will work alongside and lead other counsel and gain a fascinating insight into the politics, policy development, and legal design behind New Zealand's legislation.

A legislative drafting role in New Zealand offers the opportunity to:

• work on “greenfield” projects which require unique and innovative legal solutions
• enhance and adjust existing legislation in response to developing situations
• analyse complex legal issues
• collaborate with and influence some of Government's top lawyers and policy analysts
• work on legislation as it proceeds through Parliamentary and select committee processes and more!

What we are looking for

We are looking for drafters with significant experience working as a legislative drafter.

You will hold appropriate legal qualifications and have at least 7 years legislative drafting experience in a legislative drafting office in New Zealand or overseas. However, we would consider applications from people with fewer years of drafting experience, provided they have worked in a legislative drafting office. We are looking at appointing at different levels, please see how to apply below for the position descriptions.

You will need:

• to be able to draft a high volume of complex legislation, in high pressure situations
• to provide a significant contribution to the Drafting Group's professional leadership programme
• excellent legal, analytical, and problem-solving skills, including the ability to break down complex ideas and reason logically
• to be able to work under pressure within a team, leading a team, and independently
• a high level of initiative and judgement, flexibility, and a sense of responsibility
• to be a clear communicator and an advocate for plain language
• to support PCO's commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi | The Treaty of Waitangi, and the revitalisation of te reo Māori me ngā tikanga.

E pūmau ana a PCO ki te tautoko i te Karauna kia whaitake ai hei patui Tiriti, ā, kei te hanga i tana rautaki ao Māori i tēnei wā. Ko tētahi wāhanga o tēnei rautaki he whakatipu i tō mātau kaha e pā ana ki te reo Māori me te tuhi ture hukihuki i te reo Māori. Kei reira ngā whai wāhitanga ki te whakaawe me te ārahi i te urupare a PCO ki tēnei wāhanga nekeneke mō te hunga matatau ki te reo Māori me te mōhio ki ngā tikanga Māori.

PCO is committed to supporting the Crown to be an effective Treaty partner and is currently developing its te ao Māori strategy.  One component of this strategy is to grow our capacity in te reo Māori and to draft legislation in te reo Māori. There are opportunities to influence and guide PCO's response to this rapidly developing area for those fluent in te reo Māori and with knowledge of tikanga Māori.

What we offer you

This is an excellent opportunity to join a professional and highly respected organisation. PCO is a small and friendly office of around 100 people with a passion for producing great legislation.

We value our people and provide a flexible and supportive environment where each individual can thrive and be who they are. We embrace diversity, and welcome the fresh energy and perspectives that new team members bring to our work.

Our benefits include five weeks' annual leave, a vision and hearing subsidy, exercise subsidy, in-house te reo Māori classes, flexible working policy to support work-life balance, and more.  We have an active social committee, a netball team, and free access to the gymnasium and swimming pool in the parliamentary complex.

The salary ranges for each level are:

Independent Counsel – $107,403 – $150,365

Advanced Counsel – $147,163 – $185,005

Principal Counsel - $179,127 – $222,913

How to apply

Please www.pco.govt.nz/current-vacancies for the relevant position descriptions for the levels we are recruiting at, and how to apply (including the application form). Applications must include a completed PCO application form, a CV, and a cover letter, sent to recruitment@pco.govt.nz.

PCO is accredited with Immigration New Zealand and can support successful applicants from overseas with their applications for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV). For information about New Zealand work or residence visas, please visit www.immigration.govt.nz.

 Applications close 5pm, Sunday 5 May 2024.