Senior Legal Counsel - OIA and Information

Job title: Senior Legal Counsel - OIA and Information Location: Wellington Head Office, 44-52 The Terrace, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand Job published: 21-12-2023 Job ID: 41845

Job Description

Senior Legal Counsel – OIA and Information (fixed-term)

• Are wanting a change – but not exactly sure what that might look like?
• Are you returning home or coming to NZ from the UK or somewhere else in world?
• Or have you always been interested in the work of the Commerce Commission and want to explore that more?

Whatever the reason, this fixed-term role within the Corporate and Governance Legal Team at the Commerce Commission will provide you with the opportunity to work across the teams at the Commission and gain exposure to all of their interesting mahi. Mō te tūranga | About the role The Corporate and Governance legal team is responsible for the systems and processes required to respond to Official Information Act (OIA) and Privacy Act requests. Reporting to the Chief Legal Counsel, Corporate and Governance, you will provide high quality legal services and advice to the Commission. This includes providing technical advice on the OIA and Privacy Act and ensuring appropriate policies and processes are followed. You will be involved in:

• Preparing advice for the Chief Executive and Board, the Partner Branches and the wider Commission in relation to the Crown Entities Act, Official Information Act, Privacy Act, protected disclosures, conflicts of interest, procurement, and the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Managing complaints about the Commission, to the Commission and to the Office of the Ombudsman and Office of the Privacy Commissioner.

This is a fixed-term role through to the end of July, 2024 to cover a secondment. Ideally this role will be Wellington based, however for someone with OIA and Privacy experience,, Auckland is an option. The Commerce Commission’s responsibility continues to expand, and their in-house legal team is one of the largest in the country, they take a collaborative, cross-functional approach to the delivery of legal services. Above all, we are seeking a smart and curious lawyer who has a keen interest in working on important Corporate and Governance issues. To be successful in this role, you will:

• Have an undergraduate degree in law with 5+ years PQE
• Demonstrate an high level of understanding of the Official Information and Privacy Acts
• Be legally able to work in NZ

You will also have the proven ability, skills, and experience to:

• gather, research and analyse complex information
• present information effectively, both in writing and verbally
• interpret legal issues and draft legal documents
• confidently discuss and advocate legal issues

Recognising the fixed term nature of this role, The Commission is also open to considering overseas qualified lawyers currently residing in New Zealand with experience working with like Acts (such as the Freedom of Information Act) within another country. Ka pēhea te tono mai | How to apply For more information, please contact Chris Stewart, Principal Consultant at Niche Recruitment on 021 539 043, or to apply please send your covering letter and CV through ‘apply now’ or to chris.stewart@nicherecruitment .co.nz. Applications will be considered as soon as they are received, and the job will close as soon as the role is filled. Studies have shown that women and people from under-represented backgrounds are less likely to apply for roles where they don't match the job description criteria exactly. If you're excited about this role and think you have what it takes, but your experience doesn't align 100%, we still want to hear from you and would encourage you to apply. Please note that our offices will be closed from 22 December 2023 to 8 January 2023, applications and enquiries will be accepted during this period but may not be responded to until after 8 January. Location: Head Office, 9 Vivian Street, PO Box 738, New Plymouth, 4340, New Zealand Location: Head Office, Level 21, Vero Centre, 48 Shortland Street, Auckland, 1140, New Zealand #J-18808-Ljbffr