Manager, Office of the Chief Departmental Science Adviser | Wellington City

Job Description

Job Title: Manager, Office of the Chief Departmental Science Adviser

Role type: Permanent

Location: Wellington

Salary Range, GSR B: $136,214  to $182,836 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

The Chief Departmental Science Advisor (CDSA) provides strategic and technical advice to the Director General of MPI on matters of science, science policy issues, science communication, and the use of evidence in policy formation and investment.

The purpose of the Manager Office of the Chief Departmental Science Adviser position is to oversee and manage the implementation of programs and initiatives within the Office of the Chief Departmental Science Adviser and to ensure the CDSA is prepared for their role.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is, at its core, a science based organisation and the Manager, CDSA must be able to support this science through high level coordination and tact.

Duties of the Manager, CDSA are three fold and will be required to deliver results in the following areas:

Office, Budget and Administration Management

• Managing communications and advancing key priorities for the Office
• Conducting research and consulting with staff to provide timely advice for Ministerial correspondence
• Responding to issues under the authority of the Chief Departmental Science Adviser and ensuring timely follow-up on actions
• Managing the everyday operations and workload of the Office as well as that of the CDSA.

People Leadership

• Line management of Principal Advisers and Senior Research Analyst in OCDSA
• Provide strategic direction and, in consultation with the Chief Departmental Science Adviser, agree key objectives for direct reports
• Provide leadership and management to all staff within the function by ensuring robust processes for communication, engagement, learning and development and performance

Stakeholder Liasion

• Maintaining professional relationships with stakeholders and senior government
• Connecting with Directors and Senior Leaders across the organisation
• Liaising with the Minister's office to align priorities and negotiate timelines for document delivery
• Management of direct stakeholders and those of the CDSA

Mōu - About You

We are looking for a proactive, logistics minded professional with experience within New Zealand's machinery of government. You will also bring a high level of office management experience coupled with an excellent communication skill; both written and verbal. This role requires confidence, accountability, diplomacy and the ability to operate with organisational and political nous.

Our ideal applicant will also have people leadership experience and be able to lead a team of seasoned advisers with tact and transparency.

You may come from an adjacent government agency or have a successful background in people leadership and office management.

Our ideal applicant will also display:

• Extensive experience providing strategic, policy, and operational advice to senior staff
• Strong stakeholder management skills
• Knowledge of administration and business support
• Experience in developing and leading projects within work programmes
• Ability to develop and implement support systems for team management, including administration, finances, personnel, and planning
• Understanding and experience in project management concepts and knowledge of budgetary processes
• Exceptional organisation, planning, and priority management
• High-level interpersonal skills for successful interactions with individuals and groups

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team  

You will be an integral part of the CDSA leadership team, working very closely with the Chief Departmental Science Adviser and other senior managers the to contribute to the developments of strategic science goals for MPI.

You will achieve through and manage two principal advisers and a senior research analyst. You will work closely with your reports to ensure successful delivery of the Office's work programmes and initiatives.

You will also work closely with the Programme Director and Executive Coordinator associated with the CDSA's secondary position as Director On Farm Support to ensure strategic priorities and events across both positions are accounted for.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working

We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

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.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 14th October 2024. 

If you have any questions about the role, please email Luke.Farrell@mpi.govt.nz 

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