Senior Adviser

**Senior Adviser (Terrestrial & Aquatic Environments)**

**Role type**: Permanent, full-time

**Location**: Wellington City

**Salary Range**:General Salary Range D**: $98,955 to $115,691 depending on skills and experience

**About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga**
Are you passionate about protecting Aotearoa New Zealand from biosecurity risks while supporting safe trade and travel?

We're looking for an experienced and motivated individual to join the Terrestrial & Aquatic Environment team within the Biosecurity Import and Export Standards.

This role is central to managing biosecurity risk at New Zealand's border. You'll help develop and maintain a wide range of standards that set clear requirements for goods and crafts entering the country, and for the facilities receiving those imported goods.

As a Senior Adviser, you will:

- lead the development and review of import health standards (IHS) of various inanimate pathways.
- craft risk management standards (CRMSs), and facility standards (transitional and containment facilities).
- provide high-quality, evidence-based risk mitigation measures and peer-review technical work.
- prepare advice and communication for industry stakeholders and international partners.
- lead projects and contribute to strategy and continuous improvement.
- engage directly with trading partners, government agencies and other stakeholders.
- support and mentor colleagues to build team capability.

You will work with industries and stakeholders that import plants, animals, food, equipment, vessels, containers and more, helping ensure safe and practical measures are in place. Your work will help keep New Zealand's biosecurity strong while enabling trade, travel, and innovation.

**About you - Mou**

You are a curious and analytical thinker with a passion for protecting New Zealand's biosecurity, with a strong ability to interpret complex information and translate it into clear, actionable advice. You thrive in evolving environments and are confident working collaboratively across teams and with external stakeholders.

You will have:

- a tertiary qualification in a relevant area such as biology, microbiology, environmental science.
- experience in biosecurity, risk analysis, regulatory systems, or a similar field.
- a collaborative and curious mindset.
- resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
- the ability to use initiative and perform in an often-ambiguous environment.
- excellent communication and presentation skills with a proven ability to adapt quickly to meet audience needs.
- the ability to see the big picture while delivering practical outcomes.
- proven experience in developing positive relationships with internal and external customer and stakeholders across a large, complex business environment.
- confidence in leading technical work and stakeholder engagement.
- proven project management, planning, and organisational skills.
- experience participating in strategic planning.

**About the Team** - **Mo to matou Ropu**
You will be part of a welcoming team that works across science, policy, and regulation to support New Zealand's biosecurity system. Together, we shape and maintain standards, including IHS's, CRMS's, and facility standards, that are practical, transparent, and evidence based.

We work closely with industry and trading partners to make sure standards are workable and support New Zealand's economy, environment, and communities.

You will find opportunities to develop your skills, lead meaningful work, and contribute to something that matters.

**About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua**

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

**Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua**
- Annual Wellness payment
- Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
- Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

**Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake? -**
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

**Applications close at 11.59pm on Tuesday 8**th** July**

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