Manager, Animal Sector Policy | Wellington City

Job Description

Job Title: Manager Animal Sector Policy

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: GSR A $158,916 to $212,730 depending on skills and experience

(Salary midpoint is $186,209 per annum)

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking an experienced people leader to join our Primary Sector Policy directorate which sits within our Policy & Trade business unit.  The work of Policy & Trade focuses on sustainable economic growth, resource management, rural communities and the contribution of the food and fibre sector to the economic performance and well-being of New Zealand.

The Manager Animal Sector Policy will provide policy leadership, initiating and delivering a broad programme of regulatory and strategic policy work, to enhance the productivity and performance of New Zealand's dairy, beef, sheep and other production animal sectors. This role requires building and maintaining strong relationships with Ministers, senior management in MPI and industry, iwi, and other government departments.

As part of this role, you will lead the team to:

• Proactively identify and advise on opportunities to improve the productivity and performance of New Zealand's production-animal sectors, including their contribution to sustainable economic and export growth.
• Deliver quality policy advice that helps Ministers achieve their objectives by applying relevant and up-to-date policy frameworks, basing advice on evidence, collaborating across MPI and wider government, and working with industry and other stakeholders.
• Review and advise on improvements to the regulatory settings covering New Zealand's production animal-based sectors (such as the Dairy Industry Restructuring Act 2001)
• Administer a range of sector-specific primary and secondary legislation (such as the Meat Board Act 2004 and the Deer Industry New Zealand Regulations 2004).
• Provide second opinion policy advice on key issues affecting the animal sectors (such as overseas investment rules and competition regulation).

You will also:

• Actively contribute to and enhance our management team.
• Provide leadership and management to all staff within the team by ensuring robust processes for communication, engagement, learning and development, and performance management.
• Manage all resources and outcomes within the function through the effective implementation of organisational processes and procedures.
• Align the team's work with broader policy initiatives across MPI and other agencies.

This is a Wellington based role, so applicants must be Wellington based or willing to relocate if successful. 

About You - Mōu

You will be adept at leading teams, with a demonstrated history of building high-performing teams and fostering staff development. You will possess extensive experience in analysing complex issues, making impactful decisions, and developing and implementing government policies.

Furthermore, you will have confidence in establishing relationships and negotiating with a wide range of stakeholders to drive initiatives forward, maintaining a clear vision for both current and future priorities.

To be successful in this role, you should be able to demonstrate: 

• Significant government policy experience at a management or senior level, with previous experience in people leadership and building team performance;
• Experience in analysing regulatory, economic, and other policy issues;
• Understanding of business planning processes, including system and strategic leadership, and making business decisions with financial implications;
• Proven ability to communicate specialist knowledge and information in a manner that is easily understood by a range of audiences;
• Ability to work collaboratively in building and maintaining effective relationships across a range of groups and individuals with potentially conflicting interests;
• Capability to oversee varied work programmes, successfully deliver high profile and/or complex projects, and to motivate team members through mentoring and coaching;
• A growth mindset with an understanding of how animal sector policy can contribute to overall sector development.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Policy and Trade provides sector-level strategic thinking and evidence-based advice for effective government decision-making for systems related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biosecurity, food, animal welfare, and rural communities.

Our Policy and Trade business unit also manages input into international rule setting bodies, including the negotiation of trade agreements and environmental commitments relating to our sectors, and work on a variety of primary production, food safety, and biosecurity issues with our trading partners to assure that our products are safe and suitable.

Reporting to the Director Primary Sector Policy, you will lead a high performing team of policy analysts committed to improving the performance of New Zealand's animal-based primary sectors for the benefit of all New Zealanders.

The team also works closely with the Policy & Trade business unit, wider organisation, and industry bodies, so there is a chance to build meaningful relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

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

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

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

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance (Confidential)

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Credit check - Tirotiro nama

Please note, given this position is identified as carrying financial risk, the preferred candidate(s) will be required to satisfactorily pass a credit check.

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, 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 12 May.

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

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