Position description

On behalf of the Minister for Veterans, Veterans Affairs is seeking candidates to be considered for appointment as Chairperson of the Veterans’ Entitlements Appeal Board (VEAB).

The position of Chairperson will be vacant from December 2024.

The Board

The Veterans’ Entitlements Appeal Board is an independent judicial body set up under Part 7 of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014. It determines appeals by veterans and other claimants against reviewed decisions by Veterans’ Affairs relating to their claims for entitlements under the Act.

The Board has four members, one of whom must be a lawyer of at least seven years’ standing who must be appointed as the Chairperson. Two of the members must be medical practitioners, one of whom must be nominated by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association (RNZRSA).

Once an appeal has been determined by the VEAB, the only possibility for further review is through the High Court – and cases can only be taken to the High Court on an issue of law.

Administrative services are provided to the Board by Veterans’ Affairs.

Requirement for the role

The applicant must be a lawyer of at least seven year’s standing.

Other competencies

The Board chair is expected to have the following competencies:

• High degree of relevant legal knowledge, experience and competence.
• Leadership experience.
• Analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Good judgment.
• The ability to work in a collegial manner promoting effective decision-making.
• The ability to communicate and engage with stakeholders in a constructive manner.

If the person appointed as Chairperson does not already have a good understanding of the Veterans’ Support Act 2014 and the veteran landscape in New Zealand they would be expected to quickly develop that understanding.

The successful candidate will be a good listener, able to relate to and communicate with a variety of people, and to act with fairmindedness and impartiality.

The time commitment is variable, depending on whether there are appeals before the Board, but an average figure could be around 15 hours per month.

Responsibilities of the chairperson

The Chairperson is responsible for:

1. Determining the times and locations of meetings and hearings of the Board.
2. Overseeing the procedures of the Board.
3. Chairing hearings of the Board.
4. Allocating responsibility for the writing of decisions to Board members as required.
5. In all other respects, ensuring the Board functions in a legally correct and appropriate manner.

Terms and conditions of appointment

All members, including the Chair, are appointed by the Minister for Veterans following a Cabinet approval process.

The Chair, or any member, may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Minister.

Members of the Board are immune from liability in civil proceedings for good-faith omissions in pursuance or intended pursuance of their functions, duties or powers.

Payment is according to the Cabinet Fees framework.

Applications

Those wishing to apply should send a cover letter and full copy of their CV to veterans.boards@nzdf.mil.nz.

Applications should be received by 5pm on 31 October 2024.