National Legal Counsel – PPS!

• Based at PNHQ, Wellington
• Permanent – Full time
• Police Employee/Office of Constable
• JR 5136384

E tῡ ki te kei o te waka, kia pakia koe e ngā ngaru o te wā.
Stand at the stern of the canoe and feel the spray of the future biting at your face

Mō te tūnga | About the role
Are you an experienced legal practitioner with an interest in criminal law and a desire to make a difference?

• Police Prosecutions are responsible for prosecuting the bulk of criminal charges laid in New Zealand through to their conclusion. You will work alongside another National Legal Counsel with a function to support our busy team of Prosecutors and our national office team, providing advice on a wide range of legal issues that arise with respect to this important work.

We are looking for a keen and committed lawyer to take up this full-time permanent role.
This is a unique role that offers a variety of interesting work. You will have the opportunity to provide practical and strategic advice on issues that are important to our prosecutors’ day-to-day work. You will also be contributing to nationally significant issues, including advising on legislative change and law reform issues that impact on Police and the Justice Sector.

Located at PNHQ, this senior role reports directly to the Director: Prosecutions.

You will need to:

• Be an experienced lawyer, familiar with the criminal law jurisdiction in New Zealand, experience as a prosecutor is preferable but not essential;
• Hold a NZ practising certificate or be able to obtain one without further study if appointed to the role;
• Be a NZ resident or citizen;
• Be confident to engage directly with colleagues, exercising good judgment and providing legal advice, with limited supervision;
• Be comfortable working in a busy work environment balancing competing demands;
• Be an excellent communicator, able to provide clear and concise verbal and written advice.

He ahataau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring
Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

Whakaritenga motuhake | Special requirements
LLB and a current Practising Certificate issued by the New Zealand Law Society (or an ability to obtain one upon request).

This role is set at Individual Contributor level, this means your key purpose is “to deliver or enable others to deliver Our Business”.

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:
https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/01-2025/national_legal_counsel_for_police_prosecution_service.pdf

Mo tātou | About us
New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

Your development is highly valued at NZ Police. Our employees enjoy significant investment in their development not only at an individual level, but also at the team and community practice level. We work hard to match you with work that will both play to your strengths and challenge you in new ways.

The work you’ll be engaged in is real, tangible work that directly benefits our frontline and communities. Taken all together, this means we can offer you career path opportunities to progress in your chosen profession and become a more well-rounded, experienced leader, with opportunities across the range of work we support.

To view more detailed information about our recruitment process along with further details about requirements please click below link:

Applicant Information Pack (External)

Tono ināianei | Apply now
If this position sounds like you, click apply now and submit a tailored CV. You will be required to submit an application form. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken which include reference, drug and alcohol testing and police vetting prior to any written offer being made.

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

All applications must be submitted online and will not be accepted directly via email. All applicants must have the right to work in New Zealand.

Utu ā-tau | Salary
This position is covered by a collective agreement, The starting salary is $140,024, for exceptional candidates’ consideration may be given to a higher salary commensurate with skills and experience.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address and state your future commitments should you be successful in the next stage of the recruitment process.

Please note: Deadline for applications is 5:00 pm on Tuesday 11th February 2025. Applications may be reviewed prior to the close date as well as contact made with candidates.

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact Joshua.Kinvig@police.govt.nz