Team Manager International at Ministry for Primary Industries, Wellington City

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Team Manager - International 

Role type: Permanent; Full-time 

Location: Wellington 

Salary band & range: General Salary Range C: $119,376 to $139,700 depending on skills and experience  

 

Lead intelligence. Protect oceans. Shape global outcomes. 

Are you an experienced people leader with a passion for intelligence, compliance, and international collaboration? This is a rare opportunity to step into an operational leadership role at the heart of New Zealand's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing—both at home and on the world stage. 

 

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga 

As Team Manager – International Monitoring & Intelligence, you'll lead a high-performing team delivering critical advice and intelligence that influence operational decisions, national priorities, and international fisheries compliance efforts. This is a role where your work directly contributes to protecting sustainable fisheries globally.  

The team monitors the compliance of New Zealand international fishing operators, shapes compliance strategies, and represents New Zealand internationally, you'll be at the forefront of complex, high-impact work.  

Key responsibilities include: 

• Leading international monitoring and intelligence priorities aligned to New Zealand's compliance objectives 
• Delivering actionable intelligence and advice that informs operations, policy, and senior decision-making 
• Overseeing compliance risk assessments and analytical outputs  
• Guiding operational decisions and ensuring compliance activities meet international and legal standards 
• Building and maintaining strong partnerships across MPI, other government agencies, and international organisations 
• Leading, coaching, and developing a team of skilled analysts and advisors (approx. 6direct reports)  
• Representing New Zealand in international forums, in person and online, and contributing to global fisheries compliance efforts 

 

About You - Mōu  

You're an operational and strategic leader who thrives in complex, high-pressure environments. You bring a strong blend of intelligence, compliance, and leadership expertise, along with the ability to influence outcomes across organisational and international boundaries.  

You'll bring: 

• Proven leadership experience in intelligence, enforcement, or regulatory environments 
• Outstanding relationship management and communication skills 
• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks, surveillance tools, risk management, and investigative processes 
• Experience working with international partners, forums, or multilateral environments 
• Excellent judgement, particularly in regulatory or enforcement contexts 
• Demonstrated success leading or being a member of high-performing teams 
• The ability to make decisive decisions under pressure, often with incomplete information 

Experience in fisheries, maritime environments, or government is highly advantageous but not essential. 

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 Fisheries Compliance Monitoring & Intelligence (FCMI) International team delivers critical intelligence and advice to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, shaping both national and international compliance efforts. 

Working across MPI, other agencies, stakeholders, and global partners, the team provides actionable insights that inform operations, policy, and senior decision-making.   

It's a collaborative, fast-paced environment where expert analysts work together to protect New Zealand's marine resources and influence outcomes on the world stage 

 

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 

• Ability to purchase extra annual leave 
• Annual Wellness payment 
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation  

 

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. 

TOP SECRET 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 ten (10)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a SECRET or TOP SECRET national security clearance (as applicable).  

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 14 June.  

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