Senior Communications Adviser | Wellington City

Job Description

Job Title: Senior Communications Adviser

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wellington

General Salary Range D: from $100,934 to $129,804 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We have a fantastic opportunity within our Public Affairs Communications Directorate for an experienced Senior Communications Adviser to support the work of our Agriculture Investments branch and Biosecurity New Zealand. Reporting to the Manager Biosecurity and Agriculture Communications, the role is responsible for providing strategic and tactical communications support and advice across the branch and wider MPI, to ensure all public communications are well planned, high quality, and achieve agreed communications and engagement objectives.

One of the key pieces of work will be assisting with the preparation of communications for HPAI (avian influenza) and the H5NI strain commonly referred to as bird flu.

You will;

• Respond to emerging issues

• Contribute to strategy

• Develop content

• Media liaison

• Work on long term projects

But that's not all - our work in Public Affairs also reaches across all of MPI's strategic objectives to continue growing New Zealand's primary sector. It will require active engagement with internal and external stakeholders and being able to effectively communicate opportunities and challenges.

About You - Mōu

You will be someone with well-honed operational and strategic external communications experience, and a compelling creator. You will thrive working across multiple projects and working with a diverse range of people within and outside of MPI. Others would describe you as being adaptive, forward thinking, and a creative problem solver.

Ideally you come with:

• Experience in successfully developing and delivering internal and external communications

• Aptitude at developing effective communications strategies and plans

• Superb writing skills

• Experience planning for and delivering multi-channel communications

• The ability to work with a level of autonomy and responsibility for own work

• Journalism experience working with media, including responding to enquiries and proactively pitching stories

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Our almost (but for one more star) perfectly formed team takes care of communications for a range of work, from investing in cutting-edge primary sector innovation and research, to supporting the success of our rural communities, and protecting Aotearoa from nasty pests and diseases through our world-class biosecurity system. 

We offer an exciting, fast-paced environment, where everyone pitches in to get the job done.  You'll join a nimble, experienced group of communications experts to work alongside and bounce ideas off.  We're a supportive bunch that likes a good laugh and great coffee!

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 sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• 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 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 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 11.59pm on Monday, 22 September 2025

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

Please note: We will be reviewing applications as they are received and may progress suitable candidates before the closing date. We encourage you to apply early. 

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