Senior Adviser at Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Senior Adviser

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary band & range: General Salary Range D/E $88,748 through to $120,365 depending on skills and experience.

 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Are you a veterinarian looking to broaden your career beyond clinical practice?

We have two Senior Adviser opportunities available across our Animal Health and Biosecurity Risk Analysis functions.

These roles sit within teams responsible for protecting New Zealand from animal and aquatic animal diseases while enabling the safe importation of animals and animal products. The work spans scientific risk assessment, risk management, development and delivery of standards, trade and market access activities, and evidence-based biosecurity decision-making.

Depending on the role, you may work across the Animal & Aquatic Risk team or the Animal & Animal Products team. Both teams play a critical role in assessing and managing biosecurity risks associated with imported animals, aquatic animals, and animal products. Your work will help determine what measures are necessary to safely manage risks while supporting New Zealand's international trade obligations and market access opportunities.

Working alongside veterinarians, scientists, policy specialists, and technical experts, you'll contribute to complex risk assessments, support the development of import requirements, provide science-based advice, and help shape decisions that protect New Zealand's animal health system.

The work is intellectually stimulating, varied, and meaningful, offering an opportunity to broaden your expertise while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

 

In these roles, you will:

• Assess biosecurity risks associated with imported animals, aquatic animals, and animal products
• Develop and review risk assessments and risk analyses
• Contribute to the development, review, and amendment of import standards
• Provide science-based advice on animal, aquatic animal, and zoonotic diseases
• Support biosecurity risk management and decision-making processes
• Contribute to disease readiness and response activities
• Support consultation processes and stakeholder engagement activities
• Work with domestic and international stakeholders, including industry and overseas counterparts
• Contribute to bilateral negotiations and market access discussions
• Support the development of veterinary certification and import requirements
• Communicate complex scientific information to a wide range of audiences
• Help improve risk assessment frameworks, tools, and processes across import pathways

 

Every day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn.

 

About You – Mōu

To be successful in these roles, you will be a curious and capable professional who enjoys working with complex information and applying sound judgement to support evidence based decision making. You are comfortable navigating ambiguity, quickly grasping new concepts, and adapting your approach to meet changing priorities. A strong communicator and relationship builder, you work effectively with a range of people to achieve shared outcomes. You can translate complex information into clear, practical advice and contribute positively to discussions and decision making. With a collaborative and solutions focused mindset, you are motivated to deliver meaningful outcomes and continuously improve the way work is done.

 

You will bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or significant regulatory experience (postgraduate science or veterinary qualifications desirable)
• At least three years' experience in a relevant technical or professional role
• Strong analytical skills and proven ability to interpret and synthesise complex information
• Experience communicating technical content clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and work collaboratively to achieve shared outcomes
• Knowledge of biosecurity legislation, regulatory systems, and the New Zealand primary sector
• Awareness of organisational priorities and the ability to align work accordingly
• Sound judgement and problem-solving skills, including identifying and evaluating options and their implications
• Confidence to engage with and influence a range of stakeholders
• Strong planning and organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Familiarity with scientific processes, including literature review
• Proficiency in common digital tools (e.g. Word, Excel, databases)

We recognise that people bring a range of experiences and perspectives. If you believe you have the capability to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you do not meet every requirement listed. 

 

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The Animal & Aquatic Risk team provides scientific risk advice that supports New Zealand's biosecurity system.

The Animal & Animal Products team develops import standards and negotiates access with other countries' authorities to support safe trade.

We are multidisciplinary teams with expertise spanning veterinary science, aquatic animal health, epidemiology, risk analysis, and biosecurity. We value learning, collaboration, and professional development, and we work together to solve complex problems that have real-world impact.

Our teams have a strong culture of support, knowledge-sharing, and continuous improvement.

 

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 Thursday 13^th August 2026.

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

 

Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, X