Specialist Advisor | National

Job Description

Specialist Advisor (Verification Services)

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington preferred, other locations can be considered

Salary range: General Salary Range C/D: $98,955 to $136,961 (mid-point) depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Verification Services (VS) sits within NZ Food Safety, delivering independent, cost effective and high-quality verification, certification, inspection, and clearance programmes that ensure all relevant regulatory requirements are met. Our people deliver a world-class, efficient, and cost-effective service to a broad range of animal product industries and sectors and facilitate not only food safety, but biosecurity and market access for animals and animal product exports.

Reporting to the Manager Technical & Calibration, this role assists with technical support and coordination of the VS programmes of verification and certification.

To achieve this, the Specialist Advisor will:

• Provide input into the oversight, monitoring, and assessment of technical work programmes
• Develop and implement quality improvement initiatives
• Create and/or modify procedures for veterinary verifiers to follow
• Act as advisors/subject matter experts in a wide range of technical areas. 

This role is a great opportunity for a Veterinarian or an Advisor with an interest/experience in the red meat sector who is ready to take the next step in their career within a supportive environment. 

About You - Mōu

This role would suit someone with a Veterinary or Food Science background who can demonstrate sound judgement and decision-making skills, as well as someone who enjoys progressive thinking and considers the big picture. You do not need to already be a subject matter expert to start, but will have the background to get up speed quickly thanks to your willingness to learn. You will achieve this by being curious & inquisitive, willing to interact with a wide range of people, and learning from your team.

To be successful in this role, you will:

• Have a registerable veterinary or food science based tertiary qualification
• Experience managing relationships and consulting with an assortment of internal and external stakeholders
• Enjoy working within a team of specialists to ensure best practice is maintained
• Have demonstrated experience providing technical support and expertise
• A background or strong interest in the red meat sector is preferred

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. 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

This role works closely with a team of Specialist Advisors as well as other departments within MPI to provide VS with relevant information on best practice, policies, and procedures. The team is spread across New Zealand and compromises of a mix of veterinary and non-veterinary professionals with experience across multiple disciplines. This team prides itself in providing a collaborative and respectful environment where they work together across a variety of interesting work programmes.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

MPI's 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. We are also passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

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

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

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

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau 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 a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; 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” 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 11:59pm on Friday, 11 April

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

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