Specialist Advisor Extension Resource Development | Wellington City

Job Description

Job title: Specialist Adviser Extension Resource Development 

Role type: Full-time, Fixed term to 30 June 2027 

Location: Wellington City 

Salary band & range: General Salary Range Band C: $121,764 - $142,494 per annum, depending on skills and experience. 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga  

This is an exciting opportunity to shape how New Zealand farmers, growers and rural professionals access practical resources, services and science-based information that support productive, sustainable, and resilient farm businesses.

As Specialist Adviser Extension Resource Development, you will lead an integrated programme of communications, marketing, and engagement activity for On Farm Support. You will develop publications and practical extension resources, manage digital content and campaigns, and support national and regional engagement activities. The main focus of the role will be publication and website delivery, including Science for Farmers 2027, website enhancements, and the promotion of key On Farm Support initiatives.

You will turn strategic priorities and complex technical or scientific information into clear, accessible content for varied audiences. This includes practical resources that support advisers working with farmers and growers, such as factsheets, templates, stories, and other collateral for national and regional use.

Working closely with regional teams, internal specialists, research organisations, industry partners, agencies, and suppliers, you will coordinate delivery across multiple contributors, approvals, and deadlines. The role includes travel to support National Fieldays and other regional or national events.

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead integrated communications, marketing and engagement planning that connects On Farm Support priorities with regional delivery
• Coordinate Science for Farmers publications and related collateral through commissioning, drafting, partner review, design, quality assurance, approval, printing, and distribution
• Develop clear, practical, and on-brand extension resources, including Field Notes, factsheets, flyers, templates, and other products for national and regional use
• Coordinate website enhancements, digital publishing, email marketing, and editorial content across On Farm Support channels
• Plan and deliver awareness campaigns, using analytics and campaign measures to assess effectiveness and improve future activity
• Support National Fieldays, Science for Farmers and other priority national and regional events, including communications, collateral, advertising, social media, staff rosters, and stakeholder activity
• Build and maintain effective relationships with regional teams, internal specialists, research organisations, industry bodies, agencies, partners, and suppliers
• Manage concurrent workstreams, milestones, budgets, risks, dependencies, approvals, reporting, records, and handover material.

About You - Mōu

You will be an experienced communications, marketing, engagement, extension, or content professional who can quickly understand complex issues and turn technical or scientific information into clear, practical, and audience-focused resources. This role would be excellent for someone who is comfortable managing multiple workstreams and contributors, balancing strategic thinking with hands-on delivery. You'll bring sound judgement, strong relationship management and influencing skills, and the ability to coordinate work across leadership teams, regional staff, internal specialists, external agencies, suppliers, and sector partners.

Applications are welcomed from experienced communications, marketing, engagement, extension, publication and content professionals with strong primary-sector knowledge and a track record of delivering complex, audience-focused work.

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in communications, marketing, engagement, journalism, public relations, extension, agricultural science or a related discipline, or equivalent senior-level experience
• Significant experience developing publications, extension resources, stakeholder communications, or engagement activities in a complex organisation
• Experience managing digital content, websites, campaigns, publications, events, and stakeholder communications
• Demonstrated project management experience, including concurrent workstreams, suppliers, risks, budgets, quality assurance, and senior approvals
• Excellent written, editorial, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical or scientific material into clear, practical content for varied audiences
• Strong stakeholder management, influencing, facilitation, and relationship-building skills
• Strong knowledge of the primary sector and the operating context of farmers, growers, rural professionals, industry organisations, and research providers
• Experience in government communications and approval processes, together with an understanding of Treaty principles and the Crown's obligations to Māori under the Treaty of Waitangi

You do not need to meet every requirement to apply. If you believe your skills and experience align with the role, we'd love to hear from you.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The On Farm Support team helps farmers and growers access trusted information, practical tools and expert advice that supports resilient and productive farm businesses. You'll work within a collaborative national team that partners closely with regional delivery staff, science providers, industry organisations, and communications specialists to deliver programmes and initiatives that create real impact across New Zealand's primary sector. This is a varied and rewarding environment where innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement are highly valued.

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.

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

• Professional membership reimbursement
• Access to free professional confidential counselling
• Additional MPI leave days

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 29th November 2026.

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

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