Senior adviser

Job title: Senior Adviser

Role type: Permanent

Location: Wellington CBD

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D - $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Biosecurity New Zealand is recruiting for a Senior Adviser to support the delivery of the National Wilding Conifer Control Programme. This role sits within the Pest Management Programmes Group, which leads high-profile national programmes to protect New Zealand's environment, economy, and way of life from established pests and diseases.

We're looking for someone who can take complex issues and turn them into clear, practical advice.

In this role, you will play a key part in enabling effective programme delivery by working closely with central and local government agencies, as well as a range of programme partners. You will be responsible for establishing and maintaining robust systems and processes that support efficient delivery, monitoring, and reporting. Your ability to build strong relationships and coordinate across organisations will ensure that programmes run smoothly and that information is accurate, timely, and fit for purpose.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Support effective programme delivery by working collaboratively with central and local government agencies
• Partner with a range of programme stakeholders to coordinate activities and outcomes
• Establish and maintain robust systems and processes to enable efficient delivery
• Ensure information is accurate, timely, and fit for purpose
• Responding to public inquiries and draft Ministerial advice and correspondence
• Contributing to programme and system performance measurement and reporting
• Contract management and financial reporting.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with partner organisations and stakeholders.
• Coordinating programme partners and support regional councils in planning.
• Ensuring ongoing evaluation and improvement of the work programme.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of delivery processes and systems
• Supporting the Team Manager with analysis, reporting, advice, and collaborative delivery.

About You - Mōu

You'll bring strong judgement, strategic thinking, and experience working with a diverse range of stakeholders. You'll have the ability to adapt to as the work environment evolves.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Experience in central government, particularly in responding to ministerial enquiries and

reporting to senior leaders.

• Demonstrated ability in drafting clear, concise briefings and governance papers.
• Experience in managing contracts and relationships with external providers and suppliers.
• Excellent relationship management skills, with experience working across central and local government, iwi, industry, and community groups.
• Strategic thinking and judgement, with the ability to prioritise and plan long-term work.
• Ability to resolve complex issues and drive continuous improvement.
• Strong communication skills – written and verbal – with the ability to influence and collaborate.
• Experience in project or programme delivery, including monitoring, reporting, and risk management.
• A tertiary qualification (or equivalent experience) in a relevant discipline.

About the Team -

Mō tō mātou Rōpū

You'll ideally be based in Wellington and join a passionate and engaged team which is distributed across across Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington and Auckland. The team works closely with regional councils, DOC, industry bodies, landowners, community trusts, and other government teams to deliver effective pest management outcomes. We collaborate regularly, travel to field sites, and contribute to strategic planning and ministerial decision-making.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

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 5 July 2026.

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

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā t ū hononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X