Policy Analyst x2 | Wellington City

Job Description

Policy Analyst x2 (Bilateral Relations and Trade) 

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington

Salary Range: General Salary Range F: $76,463 to $89,215 depending on skills and experience

About the role - Kōrero mō te tūranga

We have two policy analyst vacancies in the Bilateral Relations and Trade Division of the Trade and International Relations Directorate. One position is in the North Asia and Americas team, and the other is in the South-East Asia Team.

The successful candidates will be responsible for contributing to the advancement of New Zealand's agricultural market access and policy interests to support and deliver bilateral work programmes in assigned markets. Working closely with Directorate colleagues focused on trade, environment and sustainability, the role requires strong cross-MPI and inter-agency collaboration as well as engagement with industry stakeholders.  

Analysts are responsible for leading briefings, correspondence and communication in support of these work programmes, including supporting Ministerial and senior level international engagement.  As an internationally focused position, the role may also require international travel for working level discussions with counterpart agencies and domestic travel when hosting inbound delegations.

The work is dynamic and requires people who like a challenge, have strong communication and relationship-building / connecting skills and work well as part of a team. If you are interested in utilising your skills to grow and develop a career with an international flavour this role could be for you. 

The work includes:

• Liaising with New Zealand industry sectors and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to develop positions on trade issues
• Supporting negotiation and ongoing management of bilateral agreements and relationships
• Participation in trade aspects of emergency responses, and resolution of trade disruptions / incidents in designated markets
• Intelligence gathering / analysis and influence on policy and regulations
• Providing advice to senior officials and Ministers
• Developing programmes, event management, managing logistics, and leading briefings for and escorting visiting delegations.

About You -  Mōu

You will enjoy project / event management, providing advice and working closely with colleagues to support critical primary industry trade for New Zealand. While this role is ideal for someone who already has some understanding of New Zealand's international agriculture priorities, trade policy architecture and the global rules-based trading system, it is effectively an entry level role in the international space.

We will therefore consider candidates with some prior government experience looking to develop their career in the international arena.  Your can-do approach and ability to operate flexibly and maintain composure while operating within challenging time constraints and external scrutiny will be a real asset.  

To be successful in this role you will have:

• A degree relevant to international relations or trade
• Experience in developing and implementing policy advice and dealing with agricultural policy and/or technical issues
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective relationships and long-standing connections, work proactively and independently and work within a team
• Well-developed planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise tasks effectively and work under pressure, with a preference for someone with project or events management experience
• Some knowledge of primary products and food exports and related issues
• Experience analysing information; and providing high quality and timely verbal and written reports / briefings / plans.

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. 

Please note that appointments are made to the Bilateral Relations and Trade Division rather than individual teams as this provides flexibility for staff to transfer easily between any of the Bilateral teams and provides for staff to undertake work of a cross-directorate nature when required.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Bilateral Relations and Trade Division within the Trade and International Relations Directorate is accountable for implementation of MPI's strategies and goals for growing, enhancing and maintaining bilateral trade and market access of New Zealand's food, fibre and other primary sector products.  This includes the negotiation and/or implementation of bilateral trade agreements and market access requirements, cooperation programmes, and building and sustaining key relationships with counterparts in other countries and markets.

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

• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

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, 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” 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 Friday 10^th October

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

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