Lead Intelligence Analyst | Wellington City

Job Description

Job title: Lead Intelligence Analyst (Biosecurity Intelligence)

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wellington

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D - $100,934 to $135,076 depending on skills and experience.

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As the Lead Intelligence Analyst, you will bring your extensive practical experience to conduct, coordinate, and coach intelligence assessment of the complex biosecurity threats facing New Zealand.

In this role you will:

• plan, lead, and deliver intelligence products to target threats or develop insights into risks and opportunities for primary industries.
• contribute to the development of the intelligence function, its processes and products.
• provide expert advice and technical guidance in the analysis of complex, poorly defined, or exceptionally difficult intelligence problems.
• use expertise in intelligence processes, tradecraft, and methodologies to provide coaching, mentoring and advice.
• establish and continually enhance relationship networks at a technical expert level across MPI and the intelligence sector, wider government and industry to support the ongoing production of high-quality intelligence at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

You will work across all parts of our work programme. This includes our horizon scanning function, support to a Pacific work programme, and the ongoing monitoring of threats to New Zealand's biosecurity – particularly foot and mouth disease (FMD) and highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

About You - Mōu
We are looking for an experienced intelligence professional within relevant intelligence analysis roles, or in a strongly similar working environment.

You will bring experience in:

• applying complex and innovative analytic methodologies to deliver intelligence insights and outputs at all levels of an organisation.
• coaching analysts and leading the delivery of training in intelligence tools, techniques, and methodologies.
• developing and managing positive relationships with internal and external partners and stakeholders across various specialist areas.
• contributing to high-quality outcomes for decision-makers
• working in multi-disciplinary and interagency environments
• working on topics related to the Pacific would be beneficial but is not essential.

If you fit this description and would like to be part of an innovative, multidisciplinary team working to analyse and forecast the biosecurity threats of tomorrow, we look forward to receiving your application.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Intelligence & Information Group (I&I) collects global reporting, science, and data to produce actionable strategic and operational intelligence for busy decision-makers across MPI and the wider national resilience system.

Our Intelligence Analysts come from a variety of backgrounds and work collaboratively to fuse their collective understanding of the sciences, international relations, and economics with intelligence frameworks and methodologies to deliver robust intelligence assessments.

The Biosecurity Intelligence (BSI) team provides early warning, forward-looking assessment, and threat monitoring that informs New Zealand's biosecurity system of changes to the global biosecurity environment and to specific biosecurity threats. Our work supports the ongoing management of one of New Zealand's National Risks – Pest and disease incursion – and we regularly engage with other government agencies in New Zealand and abroad.

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 

• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Wellness benefit for employees
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Bi-annual MPI-paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru
Higher level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last ten (10) years, OR

• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-checktool.

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 21 July 2025.

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

Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei – Follow MPI here

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