Data Scientist

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE
- Make data count.
- Join a diverse and supportive team making a difference.
- Opportunity to use your skills and knowledge in growing the data science business capability at Immigration New Zealand.
- Permanent position, Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch location
- Salary ranges from -$101,911 - $121,196 with KiwiSaver and Wellness benefits. Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:
This position is based within the Joint Targeting and Analytics team and is part of the Immigration Risk and Border Branch within Immigration New Zealand.

Immigration New Zealand works with international organisations and industry partners to improve border security and make immigration easier. We lead government strategy designed to help migrants settle into New Zealand.

Our values are part of everything we do. Our people are strong collaborators who believe we are always Better Together - Mahi Tahi. We are Bold and Brave
- Maia in the way we create, innovate, learn and share. We take charge of Building Our Future - Pono Me Te Tika and we Own It - Pae Kahurangi in everything we do.

We are part of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), New Zealand's largest government department. MBIE's purpose is to grow the New Zealand economy to provide a better standard of living for all New Zealanders.

As a Data Scientist in the Joint Targeting & Analytics (JTA) team, you will work in partnership with your manager and other staff across JTA and the wider business. You will bring your data understanding and expertise to contribute to JTA operations including risk management and the development of smarter targeting methods to support immigration decision makers.

You will be part of a group of data scientists responsible for operational algorithm development and monitoring and ongoing improvement of models in a Microsoft Azure cloud platform. You will be working with legacy systems including the SAS data warehouse amongst other INZ data repositories. You may also have opportunities to work in collaboration with data scientists from other border agencies as part of a cross-agency team delivering analytics capabilities to help protect New Zealand's border.

**In return we offer**:
You will be part of a team making a real difference for New Zealand. You will also benefit from:

- 23 days annual leave
- Flexible working opportunities
- Exposure across NZ's largest government Ministry
- Solving large and complex problems Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana - Skills and Experience Required

**To be successful in this role you will have**:

- Experienced in using analytics modelling techniques in a risk and/or operational environment both on premise and in the cloud.
- Knowledge of R/Python, SQL and SAS
- You're able to translate complex and technical information to be easily understood by non-technical staff.
- You can work both independently, and in collaboration with others, with a can-do attitude, excellent command of the English language, and the ability to quickly assimilate new information or areas of work.
- You have excellent communication skills with a proven ability to develop trust and credibility with managers and staff and develop strong working relationships with them.
- You must also have the ability to gain and maintain a nation security clearance (check your eligibility here).

**Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE**:
MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.
We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.
People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.
- Mahi Tahi - Better Together
- Māia - Bold and brave
- Pae Kahurangi - Build our Future
- Pono Me Te Tika - Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity - Hīkina Whakatutuki - which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.
MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportuniti