Adviser/Senior Adviser Veterinary Medicines | Wellington City

Job Description

Adviser/Senior Adviser Veterinary Medicines

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington preferred

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D

Adviser: $100,934 to $108,901 depending on skills and experience

Senior Adviser: $112,314 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience

About the Role – Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We are seeking a technical assessor with a strong background in veterinary science to join the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) team.

The team is responsible for managing risks to animal welfare, human health, trade and agricultural security associated with the import, manufacturing, use and sales of veterinary medicines and other agricultural compounds as defined by the ACVM Act 1997.

In this position you will be primarily responsible for undertaking the evaluation of scientific data, and preparing regulatory reports using risk management principles for the purposes of authorising agricultural compounds under the ACVM Act 1997.

In addition, you will be contributing to work programmes and development and implementation of policies, guidelines, standards and communications to facilitate the administration of the Act by providing technical advice, leadership and support.

About You – Mōu

This is a unique opportunity to apply your scientific and regulatory expertise to safeguard animal welfare, human health, trade, and biosecurity in Aotearoa New Zealand.

In this role, you'll assess scientific data, prepare regulatory reports, and apply risk management principles to authorise veterinary medicines under the ACVM Act 1997.

You'll also contribute to policy development, guidelines, and communications — helping shape the future of veterinary medicine regulation in New Zealand.

We are seeking enthusiastic team members who have:

• A veterinary science degree (or equivalent) and at least two years' experience in a related field.
• Experience with large/production animals — a definite plus!
• A knack for analysing complex technical issues and making confident risk-benefit decisions.
• Strong technical writing skills and the ability to communicate clearly across diverse audiences.
• A collaborative mindset and a commitment to contributing to a high-performing, purpose-driven team.
• Knowledge or background in the following would also be desirable:
• The registration requirements (and assessment) of Veterinary Medicines under the ACVM Act.
• The chemistry and manufacturing of human, agricultural or veterinary medicines.
• The ability to apply an analytical framework and quickly understand the nature of technical issues and problems, identify a range of solutions and their implications, form conclusions and provide advice.
• Confidence in making a risk:benefit decisions.
• An excellent working knowledge and understanding of the concepts and practices for information gathering, organising and communication.
• Excellent attention to detail and be able to quickly adapt and think on the run.
• Confidence and the able to communicate well in a wide range of environments and have strong and established technical writing abilities as report writing is a key part of the role.
• Passion and be committed to contributing to and collaborating with a strong cohesive team that is driven to deliver results and meaningful outcomes.

About the Team – Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The ACVM assessment team is collectively comprised of the Veterinary Medicines assessments team and the Agricultural Chemicals & Vertebrate Toxic Agents assessments team. These teams encompass the technical staff who have a passion for providing and maintaining availability of products that are safe and efficacious for use in either animals or in crop protection and pest control. The assessments staff are a high performing team, diverse in terms of age group, ethnicity and scientific background; all bringing their own skillset and experience to strengthen the collective team.

The Veterinary Medicines team is currently made up nine technical staff who all have a passion for creating and maintaining availability of veterinary medicines that are safe and efficacious for use in both companion and production animals. The team is diverse in terms of age group, ethnicity and scientific background; most of whom are veterinarians.

Several members of the team are Wellington-based, while other members do reside across the motu, including in the North and South Islands; re-joining the team in Wellington for short periods throughout the year.   Because of the diverse nature of the team both personally and geographically, the team is eager for an engaged colleague who is passionate and committed to contributing to a strong cohesive team.

The team members work hard as they see real value in the work that they do both as part of the wider MPI organisation and for New Zealand as a whole. This is an opportunity to be an integral part of a team.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most trusted provider of high-value food and fibre products.

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

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

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 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 Sunday, 5 October.

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

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