Advisor Assurance (Organics)

Job title: Adviser Assurance

Role type: Fixed-Term, Full-time (Until August 2027)

Location: Wellington City

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

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

This role supports the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Official Organic export Assurance Programme, helping maintain trusted access to international markets for organic primary products. You will work across systems, standards, and stakeholders to support assurance processes that sit outside legislation but underpin export confidence.

You will also help align and streamline administrative systems as frameworks evolve, including supporting the implementation of the Organics Products & Production regime.

Key responsibilities will also include:

• Develop and review organic export requirements
• Manage recognition processes for agencies and persons
• Coordinate export assurance enquiries from exporters and recognised agencies
• Support system alignment and process improvement

About You - Mou

The ideal candidate brings strong analytical capability and is able to interpret technical information to support sound decision-making within a regulatory or assurance environment. They will communicate clearly, build effective relationships, and collaborate confidently across MPI teams, recognised agencies and industry.

Experience may have been gained within a government organisation, a recognised agency, or the food or primary sector in a related role. The successful candidate will take a pragmatic and critical approach, remain focused while navigating ambiguity, and contribute to broader strategic outcomes. They will also be comfortable working with evolving frameworks, able to see the bigger picture, and contribute positively within an agile, collaborative team environment.

We're especially interested in candidates who have:

• A tertiary qualification in horticulture, food or biological science, chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, or a related field.
• Experience in developing or implementing assurance frameworks.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information.
• Experience working collaboratively across government and industry.
• Project management experience is desirable.

You are comfortable working with evolving frameworks, can see the bigger picture, and contribute positively to an agile, collaborative team environment.

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 - Mo to matou Ropu

The Plant, Wine and Organic Assurance team sits within New Zealand Food Safety and delivers assurance programmes that support export outcomes. The team includes advisers with a mix of regulatory, technical, and sector knowledge, based primarily in Wellington.

We work closely with industry, recognised agencies, and colleagues across MPI to deliver consistent and practical assurance frameworks.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu 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 - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

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 Manatu 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 midnight on Sunday 7 th June 2026

If you have any questions about the role, please email [email protected]

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