Advisor, Senior Advisor, Principal Advisor - Judicial Learning and Development | Wellington Region

Job Description

This is a two-year fixed term opportunity to join a collaborative and motivated team that values your insights and supports your career growth. We're also open to part-time and flexible arrangements.

Te Haeata/The Opportunity

Help shape the future of judicial education in Aotearoa New Zealand. Te Kura Kaiwhakawā (Te Kura), the education and development arm of the judiciary, is seeking an Advisor, Senior Advisor, or Principal Advisor to support the continuous learning of Family Court judges, Family Court Associates, and other judicial officers. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact, evidence-based educational programmes that respond to the evolving needs of the Family Court and the communities it serves.

We're hiring across multiple levels – Advisor, Senior Advisor, and Principal Advisor – depending on your experience and expertise (see position descriptions for detail).

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds, not just legal, with insight relevant to issues faced by the Family Court, such as child protection, family violence, policy, victim support, or trauma-informed practice.  You might be a seasoned family law practitioner, an Honour's law student, public servant focusing on policy and reform, an academic, or part of a community organisation dedicated to supporting court users – or something else entirely. If you can add value to supporting the Family Court, we want to hear from you.

The complexity of family law cases is increasing. We need expertise to respond to legislative reforms, identify emerging societal trends and anticipate operational changes in the court system. Working with judges to develop, deliver, and evaluate high-quality judicial education programmes, you will play a key role in promoting best practice and responding to the evolving landscape – your work will directly contribute to improving outcomes for families across Aotearoa. Engaging collaboratively with judicial leaders and subject matter experts, this role is responsible for ensuring educational initiatives are evidence-based, innovative, and aligned with the unique needs of the Family Court.

You will be required to travel within New Zealand from time to time, to support Te Kura programming.

Ō pūkenga/Skills and Experience

Essential skills and experience:

• a sound tertiary qualification in a relevant area of study
• commitment to impartiality, discretion, and upholding the values of judicial independence
• ability to work as an effective team member and autonomously as required
• capacity to anticipate trends and shape a proactive, forward-looking approach to judicial education
• strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a collaborative and consultative approach
• project management skills to manage and deliver on projects simultaneously
• customer service skills, including active listening, solutions-focused, positive attitude and professionalism
• sound judgement, discretion, political sensitivity, confidentiality and tact
• high functionality in IT environment.

Other experience of high interest:

• experience in legal practice, judicial education, or judicial administration, with a focus on family law
• proven ability to interpret legislation, case law, and research, and translate findings into practical educational resources
• understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, tikanga Māori, and culturally responsive practices within the justice sector
• experience working with communities and respecting the unique needs of whānau and tamariki
• track record of delivering educational projects focusing on family law
• experience in and an understanding of the justice sector or public service generally
• comfort with digital learning tools, remote delivery, and agile approaches to programme development.

Mō mātou/About us

Te Kura is a business unit of Te Tari Toko i te Tumu Whakawā | the Office of the Chief Justice (Te Tari) that supports the Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal and Chief Judge of the High Court in their leadership and administrative responsibilities. Te Tari is a business unit of Te Tahu o te Ture – the Ministry of Justice.

At Te Tāhū o te Ture - the Ministry of Justice, we're committed to strengthening people's trust in the law of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Joining the Ministry of Justice means you will become part of an inclusive organisation that values you and the communities we serve. It's our promise to ensure our workplace is one where our people feel healthy and safe, supported and able to be themselves at work. We value respect as the foundation for building a positive workplace culture and one where diversity is welcomed and celebrated. 

Joining Te Tāhū o te Ture means you will become part of an organisation that welcomes and supports people of all gender identities, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientations, disabilities and religions. 

Ngā painga o tēnei wāhi mahi/What's great about working here

We offer you a range of benefits to support your wellbeing and help make the Ministry a great place to be. These include:

• 22 days holiday leave
• an online professional development portal
• access to a variety of inclusive and proactive networks

See our full range of benefits here.

With a wide range of jobs, you also get the chance to gain a variety of skills and experience while developing your career.

Utu ā-tau/SalaryThe appointing salary for this role will be between:

• $73,634 and 100,846 based on skills and experience (Advisor)
• $98,208 and 135,539 based on skills and experience (Senior Advisor)
• $111,766 and $154,680 based on skills and experience (Principal Advisor)

Tono mai/Apply

To apply, click the Apply button below to be directed to our Careers Website. You can view a detailed position descriptions here, as well as complete an online application form by attaching your CV and cover letter.

For an initial chat about this position, please contact Collette Thaisen, Deputy Director – Curriculum Design and Delivery at collette.thaisen@justice.govt.nz

If you have any recruitment related questions, please contact recruitment@justice.govt.nz