Legal Counsel - Corporate Legal Unit

• Provide legal support to New Zealand’s diplomats at home and overseas
• Join a high performing, collaborative legal team
• Build your career in a key government department

Bring your legal skills and judgement to the distinctive foreign affairs and trade environment. You will advise on a broad range of corporate and public law matters arising across New Zealand’s global network.

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

Our Corporate Legal Unit provides legal support to every part of the Ministry, enabling our people in Wellington and at posts offshore to deliver outcomes that make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous. The Legal Counsel is a specialist professional position in our Corporate Legal Unit.

As Legal Counsel, you will work closely with other team members, contributing to advice across contracting, procurement, public law, privacy, the Official Information Act, consular matters, diplomatic law and litigation. You’ll gain exposure to a broad mix of corporate and public sector work, including matters involving New Zealanders overseas, diplomats in New Zealand, and legal issues that arise across our global network.

This role is ideally suited to a capable and collaborative lawyer looking to broaden their legal experience and build their expertise in a genuinely unique environment.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing advice on corporate legal matters, including property issues and leasing arrangements.
• Supporting the management of litigation and contributing to the development of legislation.
• Advising on core public sector issues, including constitutional and administrative law, Te Tiriti o Waitangi matters, and Official Information Act and privacy law.

To view the full position description, click here.

The appointment salary range for this role is $78,043 to $91,815 Total Fixed Remuneration, inclusive of our 3% KiwiSaver contribution – negotiable depending on experience.

Who are we looking for? - Mā‎ wai te mahi nei? 

We welcome applications from lawyers who are:

• Collaborative, capable and eager to grow their legal skills
• Holding an LLB and holding or being eligible to hold an NZLS practising certificate
• Bringing around 3 years post‑admission experience
• Able to analyse issues and communicate complex information clearly
• Interested in developing expertise across public law, contracting, privacy and diplomatic law
• Comfortable working with colleagues from diverse backgrounds
• Familiar with Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and committed to continuing to build capability in this space

Why MFAT? - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Aorere?

We are committed to a focus on leadership, talent, training and development, and flexible work options consistent with guidance from the Public Service Commission.  Check out our benefits page to find out more about why we love working here.

MFAT is Rainbow Tick accredited. We value diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive culture where everyone feels supported, valued, and a sense of belonging.  We welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds. 

About us - Mō mātou

Our people represent New Zealand on and offshore, and in doing so make New Zealanders safer and more prosperous.  By building connections with and influencing other countries and international institutions, we advance New Zealand’s interests and pursue New Zealand's values.  We provide advice to the Government on the implications for New Zealand of what is happening in the world. 

To Apply/Interested - Me pēhea te tuku tono

Apply today with your CV and cover letter.

If you have any questions about applying, you may contact [email protected]

You must be able to obtain and maintain an appropriate NZ Government Security clearance.

Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a Confidential security clearance. Please note that this tool is not part of the formal security clearance process:

http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

Applications close at 9:00pm on Wednesday 11th February, 2026.

Please note: This is not a Foreign Policy/diplomatic role.  This is a ‘Corporate’ role (known here as a specialist role) based in central Wellington, NZ.  

While it is not usual for specialist staff to be ‘posted’ outside of NZ, from time to time a specialist role overseas becomes available at one of our embassies, high commissions, missions or consulates. To be considered for one of these positions you would need to apply and be considered via a competitive recruitment process.

If you do have an interest in an MFAT foreign policy/diplomatic career, you would be welcome to apply for this either via our graduate recruitment or mid-level foreign policy recruitment campaigns.