Senior Adviser, Gene Technology Assurances

Senior Adviser, Gene Technology Assurances

Fixed-term to 31st May

Location : Wellington.

Salary range : General Salary Range D : $100,934 to $118,005 depending on skills and experience.

About The Role – Korero Mo Te Turanga

We're seeking a strategic and technically skilled Senior Adviser to lead a critical programme of work within New Zealand Food Safety.

This role focuses on developing export assurance frameworks related to freedom from genetically modified organisms (GMOs), ensuring New Zealand's exported primary products meet importing market requirements.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and delivery of a work programme to assess and recommend export assurance frameworks for issuance of official assurance related to freedom from GMOs.

Analyse existing export assurance frameworks and identify gaps to ensure alignment with trading partner expectations.

Provide expert advice on export assurance systems and contribute to the integrity of New Zealand's reputation as a trusted trading partner.

Collaborate across MPI and with external stakeholders including industry groups, other government agencies, and recognised laboratories.

Prepare high-quality reports and recommendations for senior leadership.

Support implementation of new or amended export assurance frameworks, including development of standards, verification, issuance of official assurances, and guidance materials.

About You – Mou

You'll bring a strong mix of analytical thinking, regulatory knowledge, and stakeholder engagement skills.

You are comfortable navigating complex technical issues and translating them into actionable recommendations.

Qualifications And Experience

A tertiary qualification in horticulture, food or biological science, chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, cellular and molecular biology, genetics, or a related field.

Experience in developing or implementing assurance frameworks.

Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex information.

Knowledge of export systems and GMO-related regulation.

Experience working collaboratively across government and industry.

Project management experience is a plus.

About The Team – Mo To Matou Ropu

The Plant, Wine & Organic Assurance Team (PWO) is responsible for the plant export assurance programme, wine assurance programme and official organic assurance programme.

The PWO team plays a key role in assuring the integrity, safety and reputation of New Zealand's exported food and primary products.

Benefits Of Working At MPI

Annual Wellness payment

Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses / frames

Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Security Checks

Low level Security Clearance.

Most preferably a New Zealand citizen who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, or is a citizen of and / or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years : Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA).

Verification will be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to recommend suitability for this level of clearance.

This Role

Applications close at

• pm on Friday 28th November.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

#J-