Senior Marine Protection Advisor

• We have a fantastic opportunity for someone looking for a rewarding career contributing to the delivery of conservation in New Zealand.
• Use your expertise to craft and implement strategies to help protect our ocean habitats
• Full time, fixed term role until July 2027; flexible location

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 across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive.

Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Our National Marine Protection Programme Team delivers a range of complex marine protection projects and processes across Aotearoa. We work with iwi, hapū and whānau to help protect their rights and interests, we have strong working relationships with multiple teams across Government, and we engage with the public and other stakeholders to understand what marine conservation means to them.

We are a national team of marine protection and management planners distributed from Murihiku through to Pēwhairangi with people working from DOC offices or flexibly in other locations. We have a great mix of skills, interests, backgrounds, and approaches.

At a senior advisory level, you have a leadership role within the team, coaching and mentoring marine protection advisors across the wider team and providing expert-level support.

The key focus of this role is to:

• deliver the review of Te Tapuwae o Rongokako Marine Reserve
• lead the strategic oversight of the project and hold relationships with our Treaty Partners, key DOC colleagues, and local stakeholders
• evaluate and analyse information and draft the review report
• be a team member from time to time on other projects the National Marine Protection Programme team is undertaking, for example, advising the Minister on new marine reserve applications and implementation planning for any new marine reserves.

Click here for the Role Description

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

This position would suit someone who has strong analytical and organisational experience with a focus on marine protection, excellent writing skills and the ability to build positive relationships across a multi-functioned team and with external stakeholders. We value diversity in our team.

We're keen to hear from you if you have the above and some of the following:

• senior level experience in strategy, policy and/or planning and management
• experience in complex work programmes and statutory processes
• strong analytical and organisational skills and excellent communication skills
• experience in driving projects end to end from scoping to implementation
• deep knowledge of New Zealand's marine protection legislation and processes or equivalent experience working with conservation / environmental legislation
• experience providing strategic advice and support to Ministers and decision makers
• a team player capable of building strong relationships and able to mentor other colleagues in their work
• knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi including the willingness to engage in Te Ao Māori and tikanga Māori. Experience working with tangata whenua: iwi, hapū and whānau is preferred.

Desirable:

• a background in policy, legal, and/or marine technical knowledge would be advantageous.

There can be times when the workload will be high so you will need to be able to remain calm and focused and work well under pressure.

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | 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.

We support flexible work arrangements for our kaimahi who are working in a wide variety of roles and locations across Aotearoa. Flexible options will be considered based on your role and in discussion with your leader.

Tonoa inaiānei | Apply now

Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications and provide feedback to those not shortlisted.

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

The salary range for this position is $92,912 to $117,570 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.

Due to high volumes, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 21 December 2025

Depending on the volume of applications received, we may close this advertisement early, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Mariel Combs, Team Lead National Marine Protection Programme,