Press Secretary (Level 1) at Department of Internal Affairs, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The Opportunity:

Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing & Minister for Statistics is seeking an intermediate level Press Secretary to join his team. This role supports the Minister and his office with the development and promotion of key strategies related to Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufacturing & Statistics portfolios.

This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of communicating the policies and initiatives of our new government to the New Zealand public.

What can I expect?

As a Press Secretary in Hon Andrew Bayly's office, you will join a highly capable and trusted team responsible for supporting the Minister across his portfolios. Utilizing your knowledge and experience around the Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufacturing & Statistics portfolios, you will be responsible for ensuring that all media communications from the Minister's office are consistent with the agreed priorities and messages of the Government, providing a strategic outlook, and supporting the Minister with the development and promotion of key strategies. This is an intermediate level role, and you will be supported as you build your skills and experience.

This is an events-based position based on the 3-year parliamentary term. The salary band for this role is $94,499-$117,598 per annum.

What skills or experience would I need to be successful?

While media, communications, or journalism experience would be advantageous, we are equally open to applications from individuals with experience in and passion for the Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Small Business and Manufacturing & Statistics portfolios, looking to apply their outstanding communications skills in a new field.

You will need an understanding of the issues and initiatives of importance to the Minister and his portfolio areas, have a great attitude, exceptional organisational skills, and a willingness and interest in building your knowledge and confidence in communicating on political matters.

The role of Press Secretary requires you to move seamlessly through a range of complex material, where an eye for detail and the ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences, through a variety of channels is critical to success. The nature of this position requires a person to both anticipate a story before it happens as well as to create the narrative.

With a highly attuned awareness of both the media and the political landscape, you will be social media savvy and confident in writing speeches and press releases. You will be comfortable and confident in building relationships with members of the Minister's team, the press gallery, and a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders.

Interested? Apply today!

Please note applicants must be permanent residents or NZ Citizens and are required to obtain and maintain a national security clearance at a Top Secret level. Please assess your eligibility status using the Protective Security Requirements tool found here: https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/personnel-security/clearances/eligibility-tool/

Applications close Friday 17^th of January 2025, and we will be assessing and interviewing suitable applicants from the 6^th of January 2025- early applications are encouraged but please do not expect a response before the week of the 6th. For more information, please contact james.gillespie@dia.govt.nz

To review the full job description, please click here.