Senior Adviser | Wellington City

Job Description

Job title: Senior Adviser – Animal Readiness

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wellington preferred, other locations by negotiation

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D - $98,955 to $127,260 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

The Senior Adviser is part of the Operational Readiness Animals team within Biosecurity New Zealand. This team is accountable for the implementation of readiness work to ensure Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is ready to respond to key identified biosecurity threats to animal health. This work includes development of acceptable practice standards, guidelines and operating processes, response structures, and coordination of readiness efforts across MPI and other Government agencies.

As the Senior Adviser, you will:

• be a technical expert in exotic animal disease readiness delivery
• lead, manage, and have input into operational and strategic planning for exotic animal disease readiness
• ensure that plans and approaches are up to date with international developments and to maintain active collaboration with international experts, partners, and the QUADs Alliance network groups
• work closely with our Systems Readiness and Response Group to ensure that all projects, activities, and processes are developed in consultation with the business and are fit for purpose
• provide technical expertise in the development and refinement of specifications for movement control, depopulation, disposal, cleaning & disinfection
• provide technical input into exotic animal disease response and readiness functions.

About You - Mōu

You will be passionate about implementing and embedding effective frameworks to ensure we are ready to respond to key threats to animal health. You will have the ability to see the bigger picture and think of creative and innovative ways for MPI to improve its response readiness.

We are looking for someone to bring the following skills and experience:

• developing and implementing information management processes and systems
• project management skills, including experience in leading work and achieving outcomes in situations where there are diverse interests
• strategic thinking, including the ability to look at complex problems from a broad perspective
• excellent communication and collaboration skills including the ability to engage audiences
• proven ability to deliver quality advice, guidance, and material on time
• any experience in a response environment and/or the Coordinated Incident Management System (CIMS) framework would be beneficial
• a Veterinary degree 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

You will be working within a team of Senior and Principal Advisers.

The Operational Readiness Animals Team is accountable for delivery of a comprehensive programme of work that includes Foot and Mouth Disease, High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza preparedness, and other exotic animal diseases of significance to New Zealand. This team partner with internal and external stakeholders to support on-going holistic readiness work.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

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.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• 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.

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 15 July 2025.

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

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, X

Videos for Seek Ad's