As Principal Adviser Conservation you'll provide thought leadership on strategic issues across the pest management system and wider biosecurity system (pre-border, border and post-border) to ensure that MPI has appropriate systems and capability to account for conservation and indigenous biodiversity values when making biosecurity decisions and when providing oversight and leadership for the biosecurity system.

Specifically, you will:

Actively contribute to initiatives across Biosecurity New Zealand, MPI and other government agencies (i.e. Department of Conservation), including strategy development and legislation reform, to ensure integrated and aligned approaches that deliver improvements for pest management.

Support alignment between the biosecurity system and other systems, e.g., biodiversity, conservation, and environmental management.

Engage and communicate across MPI to inform and educate about MPI's responsibilities with respect to biosecurity protection of biodiversity and conservation values.

Support the Pest Management Group managers in setting the strategic direction and priorities of the Pest Management Group by providing thought leadership, analysis, and advice.

Identify opportunities for the group to deliver pest management system and programme improvements.

Work collaboratively with managers and advisers across the Readiness and Response Services Directorate to ensure that the work of the directorate is coherent, aligned, and has impact.

Maintain collaborative working relationships across MPI and with central and local government agencies, Maori, industry organisations, research organisations and other stakeholders in New Zealand and overseas.

Lead facilitation and co-design approaches with partners and stakeholders.

 Mōu - About You

You will have:

A graduate level qualification in a relevant discipline, and ideally a post-graduate qualification.

At least 10-15 years' experience as an expert or specialist in relevant discipline. 

Experience in biosecurity, biodiversity, conservation, environmental or recovery management, providing high quality analysis and advice on complex systems, strategic or technical issues.

Significant experience engaging and working with internal and external stakeholders, including senior leaders, to build collaborative partnership approaches and manage diverse interests.

A proven track record in developing investment cases.

Proven high level written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

A very high degree of initiative and perseverance.

Can mentor and coach others.

Ideally you'll also have:

Experience in project or programme planning, monitoring, risk mitigation, on time delivery and reporting. 

Proven ability to think and act strategically at an organisational and sector level in formulating and presenting advice.

Proven ability to create and maintain extensive networks and strong relationships with stakeholders and partners.

 Senior Adviser

 Kōrero mō te tÅ«ranga - About the Role

As Senior Adviser Conservation you will work on strategic issues across the pest management system and wider biosecurity system (pre-border, border and post-border) to ensure that MPI has appropriate systems and capability to account for conservation and indigenous biodiversity values when making biosecurity decisions and when providing oversight and leadership for the biosecurity system.

Specifically, you will:

Actively contribute to initiatives across Biosecurity New Zealand, MPI and other government agencies (i.e. Department of Conservation), including aiding in delivering strategic direction and plan, lead, manage and deliver an allocated work programme as required.

Support the Principal Adviser Conservation to maintain collaborative working relationships across MPI and with central and local government agencies, Maori, industry organisations, research organisations and other stakeholders in New Zealand and overseas.

Support alignment between the biosecurity system and other systems, e.g., biodiversity, conservation, and environmental management.

Coordinate efforts to ensure that BNZ has appropriate systems and capability to account for conservation and indigenous biodiversity values.

Deliver the allocated work programme and ensure that all products, activities and processes are developed in consultation and are fit for purpose by engaging effectively with internal and external customers.

Work collaboratively with managers and advisers across the Readiness and Response Services Directorate to ensure that the work of the directorate is coherent, aligned, and has impact.

Support the Group Manager Pest Management by providing information, analysis and advice to enable the group and the team to carry out its mandate and drive improvement, and to work collaboratively with other members of the team to ensure that the work is coherent, efficient and effective.

 Mōu - About You

You will have:

A graduate level qualification in a relevant discipline, and ideally a post-graduate qualification.

5-10 years in a relevant technical or relevant professional role.

Successful experience in biosecurity, biodiversity, environmental or recovery management.

Successful experience in project or programme planning, monitoring, risk mitigation, on time delivery and reporting.

A proven ability to deliver quality advice, guidance and material on time.

Experience facilitating collaborative processes and leading partnership-based programmes.

Proven experience in developing and managing relationships with internal & external stakeholders, including senior leaders and peers.  

Proven ability to use initiative and persevere to perform in high pressure situations.

Proven ability to participate as a lead member of a team in ambiguous work environments.

Ideally you'll also have:

Understanding of, and experience in, government policy and legislative decision-making processes.

Experience in working in a New Zealand Government agency (central, regional or other).

Experience providing written and verbal advice to Ministers and senior managers