Legal Counsel/Senior Legal Counsel (Corporate & Commercial), 3-5+ years' PQE - AKL

Auckland
Permanent
Full-time

3 days ago

1Position Description | Te whakaturanga ō mahiHealth New Zealand | Te Whatu OraThe Health System in Aotearoa is entering a period of transformation as we implement thePae Ora/Healthy Futures vision of a reformed system where people live longer in good health,have improved quality of life, and there is equity between all groups.We want to build a healthcare system that works collectively and cohesively around a sharedset of values and a culture that enables everyone to bring their best to work and feel proudwhen they go home to their whānau, friends and community. The reforms are expected toachieve five system shifts. These are:1. The health system will reinforce Te Tiriti principles and obligations. 2. All people will be able to access a comprehensive range of support in their localcommunities to help them stay well. 3. Everyone will have equal access to high quality emergency and specialist care whenthey need it. 4. Digital services will provide more people the care they need in their homes andcommunities. 5. Health and care workers will be valued and well-trained for the future health system.Te Mauri o Rongo - The New Zealand Health CharterThe foundation for how we ensure our people are empowered, safe and supported while working to deliver a successful healthcare system, is Te Mauri o Rongo - the New Zealand Health Charter. It guides all of us as we work towards a healthcare system that is more responsive to the needs of, and accessible to all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It applies to everyone in our organisation and sits alongside our code of conduct as our guiding document. Te Mauri o Rongo consists of four pou (pillars) within it, including:Wairuatanga - working with heart, the strong sense of purpose and commitment to service that health workers bring to their mahi.Rangatiratanga - as organisations we support our people to lead. We will know our people; we will grow those around us and be accountable with them in contributing to Pae Ora for all.Title Senior Legal CounselReports to Principal Legal CounselLocation AucklandDepartment LegalDirect Reports Nil Total FTE 1Budget Size Opex N/A Capex N/ADelegated AuthorityHR N/A Finance N/ADate February 20252hanaungatanga - we are a team, and together a team of teams. Regardless of our role, we work together for a common purpose. We look out for each other and keep each other safe.Te Korowai Āhuru - a cloak which seeks to provide safety and comfort to the workforce. These values underpin how we relate to each other as we serve our whānau and communities. Together we will do this by:

caring for the people

recognising, supporting and valuing our people and the work we all do

working together to design and deliver services, and

defining the competencies and behaviours we expect from everyone.

About the roleThe primary purpose of the role is to provide high quality and pragmatic commercial legaladvice and solutions to Health NZ.Key Result Area Expected Outcomes / Performance IndicatorsLegal Advice & Litigation Support

Provide high quality and pragmatic legal advice and solutions to support staff and leadership on commercial legal matters.

Drafting, reviewing, and advising on all manner of commercial contracts, agreements, MOUs, and similar documentation.

Supporting staff and attending contract negotiations and other engagements with commercial vendors and their lawyers, NGO providers, Government agencies, and other organisations and groups. Advise and assist with contract disputes as needed.

Working with key internal and external stakeholders on significant Health New Zealand projects.

Reviewing and assisting with policy and procedures.

Advise on OIA and privacy matters.

Providing training to staff on commercial legal matters.

Managing external legal service providers as required and appropriate to support the work of the team.

Te Tiriti o Waitangi

Remains focused on the pursuit of Māori health gain as well as achieving equitable health outcomes for Māori.

Supports tangata whenua- and mana whenua-led change to deliver mana motuhake and Māori self-determination in the design, delivery and monitoring of health care.

Actively supports kaimahi Māori by improving attraction, recruitment, retention, development, and leadership.

Equity • Commits to helping all people achieve equitable health outcomes.

Demonstrates awareness of colonisation and power relationships.

Demonstrates critical consciousness and on-going self-reflection and self-awareness in terms of the impact of their own culture on interactions and service delivery.

Shows a willingness to personally take a stand for equity.

Supports Māori-led and Pacific-led responses.

3Innovation & Improvement

Is open to new ideas and create a culture where individuals at all levels bring their ideas on how to 'do it better' to the table.

Models an agile approach -tries new approaches, learns quickly, adapts fast.

Develops and maintains appropriate external networks to support current knowledge of leading practices.

Collaboration and Relationship Management

Models good team player behaviour, working with colleagues to not allow silo thinking and behaviour at decision making level to get in the way of doing our best and collegially supports others to do the same.

Works with peers in Hauora Māori Service and Pacific Health Business Unit to ensure the voice of and direct aspirations of Māori and Pacific People are reflected in planning and delivery of services.

Health & safety • Exercises leadership and due diligence in Health and Safety matters and ensures the successful implementation of Health and Safety strategy and initiatives.

Takes all reasonably practicable steps to eliminate and mitigate risks and hazards in the workplace that could cause harm, placing employee, contractor and others' health, safety, and wellbeing centrally, alongside high-quality patient outcomes.

Leads, champions, and promotes continual improvement in health and wellbeing to create a healthy and safe culture.

Compliance and Risk

Takes responsibility to ensure appropriate risk reporting, management and mitigation activities are in place.

Ensures compliance with all relevant statutory, safety and regulatory requirements applicable to the Business Unit.

Understands, and operates within, the financial & operational delegations of their role, ensuring peers and team members are also similarly aware.

Matters which must be referred to the Principal Legal Counsel

Instructing external legal counsel.

All matters of potential risk (including media risk) to the organisation.

Those matters requiring briefings to district, regional or national leadership.

RelationshipsExternal Internal

External legal Providers

Ministry of Health

Other government departments and crown entities

Regulatory agencies

Wider Health New Zealand legal team

Professional advisors and leaders

Management and business leaders

Multidisciplinary and medical staff

Other relevant staff, departments and services

About you - to succeed in this roleYou will have Essential:

Experience in implementing Te Tiriti o Waitangi in action.

A tertiary qualification in Law.

Qualified and eligible to hold a practising certificate as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

At least eight years post qualification experience, ideally with some experience in an in-house legal environment.

Commercial legal experience across a range of areas, including contract law, public sector procurement, and litigation experience.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Able to create robust working relationships with diverse clients and stakeholders.

Able to provide solution-oriented, timely, clear and high quality legal advice and support to the organisation

Able to contribute to a team and great sense of humour.

Desired:

Experience with IT law, data/cyber security, health and safety, and privacy.

Understanding and appreciation of public healthcare services, ideally in New Zealand.

You will be able to Essential:

Demonstrate an understanding of the significance of and obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, including how to apply Te Tiriti principles in a meaningful way in your role.

Take care of own physical and mental wellbeing, and have the stamina needed to go the distance.

Maximise the quality and contributions of individuals and teams to achieve the organisation's vision, purpose and goals.

Establish and maintain positive working relationships with people at all levels within the public and private sectors, related industry and community interest groups and the wider national and international communities.

Demonstrate a strong drive to deliver and take personal responsibility.

Demonstrate self-awareness of your impact on people and invests in your own leadership practice to continuously grow and improve.

Demonstrate the highest standards of personal, professional and institutional behaviour through commitment, loyalty and integrity.

This position description is intended as an insight to the main tasks and responsibilitiesrequired in the role and is not intended to be exhaustive. It may be subject to change, inconsultation with the job holder.

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