Project Advisor Akl Island Eradication Readiness

Play a key role in coordinating the Auckland Island Eradication Readiness Project
- Once in a lifetime opportunity to enable a world-first conservation project.
- Fixed-term project role until June 2026, Invercargill or Christchurch based.

**Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa**

The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature spaces and species across Aotearoa.

Tangata whenua are inextricably linked to the whenua and te taiao, and we desire a future where whānau, hapū and iwi can thrive in their role as rangatira and kaitiaki.

Tō tātou taiāo. Tō tātou hītori. He tāonga tūturu nō Aotearoa. Maioha rawatia. Poipoia rawatia. Tukua.

Our nature. Our history. It's New Zealand's unique legacy. Enjoy it. Enrich it. Pass it on.

**He angitūtanga | About the role**

Are you passionate about conservation and ready to take on a pivotal role in a groundbreaking project? We are looking for a dedicated Project Advisor to provide expert advice, coordination and support for the smooth and successful delivery of the Auckland Island Eradication Readiness Project.

Eradication of pigs, mice, and feral cats from Auckland Island is the final step in over 30 years of investment, research, and innovation in restoring the New Zealand subantarctic World Heritage area. Set to be one of the largest pest eradication projects in history, it is groundbreaking in scale and complexity, anticipated to take 8 years and $78m. This project represents a rare opportunity for a world facing a biodiversity crisis and would complete the vision of a pest-free New Zealand Subantarctic Area.

DOC will plan and deliver this project with our Treaty Partner.

As the Project Advisor, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the success of the Readiness phase of this ambitious project, leading to implementation of the eradication project. Your expertise will help deliver quality project management and reporting.

This is a fixed term project role to June 2026, based in Invercargill or Christchurch. Other locations will be considered for the right person. Some travel throughout New Zealand will be required providing the opportunity to get out and about, to work with others and to help protect and restore unique biodiversity in Aotearoa.

What you'll do:

- Support and advise the Project Manager to deliver the Readiness project on time, within budget, and to high-quality standards.
- Maintain an overview of project planning elements and keep documentation up to date (schedules, resource plans, financials, risk registers).
- Assist with developing project briefs, business cases, budgets, and forecasts.
- Identify and establish processes and project management systems to ensure the project's success, suggesting improvements where necessary.
- Administer project processes, procedures, and reporting, coordinate meetings, and record decisions, including supporting Governance.
- Coordinate events with internal and external participants.
- Proactively identify and escalate issues, initiating agreed remedial actions.
- Develop and monitor contracts for external products and services, ensuring performance standards are met.
- Design and deliver timely reports and updates for the Minister, Governance Group, Managers, stakeholders, and working groups.

**Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and Experience**

If you have some of the following, we are keen to hear from you:

- Skills and experience as a coordinator on large-scale, multi-workstream, multi-agency projects.
- Skilled in quality assurance and project control processes and documentation.
- A broad understanding of the workings and financial mechanisms of government agencies.
- Able to contribute to complex financial design with funding from multiple sources, monitor project budgets, support financial forecasting and reporting.
- Excellent written, presentation, and oral communications.
- Advanced user of Microsoft Project, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

Desirable:

- Qualification in project management such as foundation PRINCE2 or PMI certification.
- Treasury Better Business Case experience, training, or certification.

**Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?**

DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We're working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here.

If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know.

The salary range for this position is $79,656-$100,639 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.
- Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory - this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment._

**Rā katinga | Applications close at **11:59 pm on Sunday 3 November 2024.

**Taupānga | Job reference**