Senior Technical Adviser

Senior Technical Adviser

Role type : Permanent, full-time

Location : Christchurch

Salary band & range : General Salary Range E : $87,008 to $116,232 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

As a Senior Technical Adviser, you will support the Biosecurity Central & South Directorate through the development and implementation of key initiatives with a particular focus on the importation of Seed and Grain.

This requires development of collaborative working relationship across and within Border Clearance Services, Biosecurity New Zealand, MPI and external partners.

There are increasing complexities in the importation of Seed and Grain that require specialist intervention and knowledge to support appropriate clearance and to manage biosecurity and health and safety risk.

The Senior Technical Adviser is required to work both at a regional and national level.

They will provide thought leadership and expert advice with a technical focus on Seed and Grain and on agreed programmes of work, strategic direction, priorities, implementation and performance.

The role encompasses contributing to and enhancing the development of specific pieces of work to improve and / or strengthen biosecurity.

Your primary focus will be to support the management of biosecurity risk at the border.

Key responsibilities include :

• The cultivation of collaborative working relationships across and within Border Clearance Services, Biosecurity New Zealand, MPI and external partners providing thought leadership and expert advice.
• Providing expert technical advice to Border Clearance Services, utilising your subject matter knowledge and experience.
• Designing, delivering and monitoring performance analysis, insights and reporting on work programmes.
• Proactively identifying emerging risks and identify areas of early intervention opportunities to mitigate biosecurity risks.
• Process development - providing support, advice and information on the development of work programmes.

About You - Mou

We are looking for a technical expert to contribute to our team to support the management of biosecurity risk at the border.

Our ideal candidate will have :

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 - Mo to matou Ropu

The team consists of 2 Senior Technical Advisers and 1 Team Manager all based at the Christchurch MPI centre.

We are a well-recognised high performing team that prides itself on delivering quality outputs in a timely manner for the business.

The team has been critical in the delivery of biosecurity projects and has a well-rounded knowledge of the business nationally.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu Ahu Matua

Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua

Security checks - Nga Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau and hapori.

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 Manatu 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 apply 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, 30 November.

If you have any questions about the role, please email