Senior Adviser Strategic Engagement | Wellington City

Job Description

Senior Adviser Strategic Engagement

Role type: Permanent full-time

Location: Wellington

General Salary Range: D $100,934 - $135,076 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

This role will help strengthen how Fisheries New Zealand (FNZ) connects with our sector stakeholders including the seafood industry, recreational fishers and tangata whenua. The role is ideal for someone who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where no two days are the same.

As a Senior Adviser, you'll play a key role in developing engagement plans and communications that support FNZ's strategic priorities. You'll work closely with internal stakeholders across FNZ to ensure they are equipped to build strong relationships with external partners. Your work will include preparing ministerial briefings and supporting engagement projects and FNZ events. You'll also contribute to internal communications, such as newsletters and staff updates.

This role offers the successful candidate the opportunity to work across a diverse range of projects providing strategic engagement advice to internal teams. In this role you'll be at the heart of shaping how FNZ communicates and collaborates with its external partners.

About You – Mōu

We're looking for a confident communicator with excellent attention to detail, strong relationship skills and a collaborative approach. You may come from a policy, communications, or stakeholder engagement background, but what's essential is your ability to write clearly and persuasively for a range of audiences. You'll be comfortable advising internal teams and producing high-quality engagement plans, and formal documents, including ministerial briefings.

To be successful in this role, you'll bring:

• At least five years' experience developing and implementing engagement strategies and plans
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences
• Experience planning and delivering multi-channel communications
• Proven ability to communicate complex information to non-specialist audiences
• A strategic, proactive approach to managing reputation, communications, and stakeholder relationships
• Strong project planning and delivery skills and the initiative to see projects through to completion
• A track record of building trusted relationships across an organisation and contributing to high-performing teams

 About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

We are a small team of highly skilled experts, passionate about supporting Fisheries New Zealand. The team is responsible for assisting FNZ to build and maintain effective relationships with external stakeholders. Our work includes developing and implementing engagement strategies and plans, ensuring the FNZ leadership team has visibility of key stakeholder engagement activity, risks and opportunities, and working with teams across FNZ, and Public Affairs, to develop communications materials and deliver FNZ events.

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
• Annual Wellness payment

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a NZ citizen, who has resided continuously in NZ 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, NZ, 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 NZ 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, whanau 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 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” 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 Thursday 2 October 2025.

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