Senior Market Access Counsellor | Wellington City

Job Description

Senior Market Access Counsellor 

Role type: Permanent, Full-Time 

Location: Wellington City 

Salary band & range: General Salary Range B: $141,717 to $165,970 depending on skills and experience 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Join the Bilateral Relations and Trade Division within MPI's Trade and International Relations Directorate and play a leading role in advancing New Zealand's export interests on the global stage. As a Senior Market Access Counsellor, you will help protect, maintain and expand market access opportunities for New Zealand's food and fibre exports through strategic engagement, negotiation and influence.

This is a senior specialist role operating at the intersection of international trade, diplomacy, regulation and market access. You'll work closely with government agencies, industry representatives, and overseas competent authorities to achieve outcomes that support New Zealand exporters and strengthen New Zealand's international trade relationships.

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading complex market access negotiations with overseas competent authorities.
• Developing and implementing market access and trade strategies across designated markets and sectors.
• Influencing regulatory, certification, sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) and technical requirements that impact New Zealand exports.
• Leading responses to emerging trade barriers, market access issues and trade disruptions.
• Supporting the negotiation and implementation of international arrangements and trade agreements for designated markets.
• Providing strategic advice to senior leaders and Ministers.
• Representing MPI and New Zealand in international forums, negotiations and technical discussions.
• Providing intellectual leadership, coaching and mentoring across the Bilateral Relations and Trade Division.
• Leading priority work programmes and contributing to cross-directorate initiatives.

This role offers a unique opportunity to influence significant international trade outcomes, represent New Zealand internationally and contribute directly to the success of New Zealand's food and fibre sectors. The role includes periodic international travel and direct engagement with overseas competent authorities and international partners.

About You - Mōu

You will be a highly capable strategic thinker with proven experience operating in complex trade, regulatory or international environments. You will be comfortable leading high-profile negotiations, influencing diverse stakeholders and providing authoritative advice on complex issues.

You bring highly developed judgement, political awareness, strategic thinking and negotiation skills, and are comfortable operating in complex and often ambiguous international environments. You can quickly analyse information, identify risks and opportunities, and build trusted relationships that enable successful outcomes.

To be successful in this role, you will bring: 

• A tertiary qualification in veterinary science, food safety, biosecurity, agriculture, international trade, public policy, economics, law or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience in market access, international trade, regulatory systems or related fields.
• Demonstrated success negotiating with overseas governments, competent authorities or international partners.
• Strong understanding of New Zealand's regulatory, assurance and certification systems.
• Knowledge of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) frameworks, certification systems and regulatory requirements affecting international trade.
• Proven ability to build credibility and influence outcomes with senior stakeholders.
• Experience preparing strategic advice, briefings and recommendations for senior leaders and Ministers.
• Strong communication, relationship management and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience coaching, mentoring or influencing others to deliver high-quality outcomes.
• Resilience, adaptability and sound judgement in fast-paced and evolving environments.

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.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Bilateral Relations and Trade Division is responsible for protecting, maintaining and growing New Zealand's market access opportunities and bilateral trade relationships. The Division works closely with government agencies, industry groups, exporters and international partners to support New Zealand's food and fibre sectors and maximise export opportunities.

The team leads engagement on market access requirements, trade cooperation programmes, technical negotiations and bilateral trade priorities across key international markets.

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  

• Additional MPI leave days 
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave 
• Annual Wellness payment 

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This roles require a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance 

• You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).

• You must have a minimum five (5)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a CONFIDENTIAL national security clearance. 

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

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 11:59pm on Sunday 11th October 2026.

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

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