Senior Legal Counsel

Ko wai mātou – About us 

At OSPRI, our work is guided by strong values and a clear purpose. We exist to strengthen and protect New Zealand’s livestock industries through excellence in disease management and traceability — supporting farmers, communities and the primary sector to thrive. 

Our values shape how we work every day: 

• Ārahina e te Aronga | Purpose Led – we stay focused on what matters most and the impact we're here to create 

• Whakamana Tangata – we uplift our people, farmers and partners 

• Kotahitanga | Stronger Together – we believe meaningful change happens through shared effort 

• Ka Tūtuki ā Mātou Mahi | We Deliver – we are committed to delivering enduring results

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role
 

We are looking for a Senior Legal Counsel, to join our Risk, Legal and Assurance team. This is a new role with the opportunity to make an immediate impact. 

Reporting to the Head of Risk, Legal and Assurance, you will deliver coordinated legal services across OSPRI in close partnership with our external legal partner. 

Bringing strong judgement you will manage legal workloads, triage incoming requests and liaise closely with our external legal firm to provide sound advice and support to OSPRI ensuring legal rigor in complex decision making.   

This is the sole legal role at OSPRI. 

This role embodies Kotahitanga | Stronger Together, collaborating closely with internal and external stakeholders to achieve meaningful results for OSPRI and New Zealand’s agricultural sector. 

What success will look like: 

• Providing reliable, sound advice on a broad range of matters including the application of the Biosecurity and NAIT Acts, Official Information Act, Privacy Act and other relevant areas of New Zealand law. 

• Quickly building credibility with internal stakeholders, enabling constructive challenge and effective prioritisation of workloads to deliver outcomes for OSPRI. 

• Maintaining a strong working relationship with our external legal partners to provide input on critical projects.  

• Enhancing our systems for triaging and prioritising legal requests, developing ways for our people to self-service as appropriate. 

• Conducting legal research to support decision-making, policy development, and operational activities
  

• Reviewing, and negotiating contracts.  

• Enhancing the Privacy@OSPRI programme, educating our people on privacy requirements as the Privacy Officer. 
   

Kōrero mōu - About you
 

You are ready to take the next step in your career and embrace a new challenge. You bring strong technical expertise, confidence engaging with stakeholders, and a proven ability to build effective relationships. You know when to challenge constructively, take ownership of your decisions and thrive in an autonomous environment. 

You naturally align with Whakamana
Tangata, effectively working with the business, and Ka Tūtuki ā Mātou Mahi | We Deliver, taking ownership and delivering high-quality outcomes.  

You will bring: 

• Significant experience in a legal counsel or similar role in New Zealand. 

• A practical, pragmatic approach to legal work. 

• Demonstrated expertise in the Official Information Act, the Companies Act, the Privacy Act, and contract law. 

• An understanding of regulatory environments and application of regulatory procedures. 

• A strong sense of initiative and sound judgement. 

• Excellent interpersonal skills. 

• A growth mindset and commitment to continuous improvement. 

• The ability to use plain English when explaining legal concepts. 

• Great communication skills and the ability to build strong relationships at all levels. 


• Experience partnering with external legal counsel. 

In return we offer: 

• A purpose-led organisation where values genuinely guide how we work 

• A supportive, inclusive and collaborative team environment 

• Work that contributes to New Zealand’s biosecurity and farming communities 

• Flexible working options 

• OSPRI days – paid leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Medical Insurance 

• Critical Illness, Trauma and Lifecare insurance 

• Wellbeing leave and a paid volunteer day 

• Study assistance and development opportunities 

• The ability to purchase additional annual leave 

• Eye care allowance 

• Parental/Partner’s leave benefits 

Me pēhea te tono – How to apply 

Click "Apply for this role" and submit your CV along with a cover letter outlining your experience and how you align with OSPRI's purpose and values. 

Applications close at 4:00pm Wednesday 26 August 2026. 

Please note: Eligibility to work in New Zealand is . This role is subject to a Ministry of Justice criminal history check and pre-employment drug and alcohol testing. 

OSPRI supports a workplace of diversity, equity and inclusion where our people feel welcomed, valued and supported to do their best work. If you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process, please let us know.