Principal Adviser Nutrition

Overview

Job title : Principal Adviser Nutrition

Role type : Permanent, Full-Time

Location : Wellington

Salary Range GSR, C : $119,376 to $139,700 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Mō te Tūranga

We are looking for a Principal Adviser Nutrition to join the Food Science team in this newly created position. As Principal Adviser Nutrition, you will be responsible for providing strategic leadership, expert advice and oversight of nutrition-related regulatory activities and work programmes for the Food Science and Risk Assessment Directorate within New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS).

You will drive the nutrition work programme by leading from the front and be a trusted expert in nutrition science and regulatory matters both domestically and on the international stage.

Responsibilities

• Leading the strategic development of NZFS's nutrition-related work programmes and provide oversight of these activities.
• Providing scientific expertise in nutrition, food and health to support policy, risk management and risk communication decision making on nutrition-related matters.
• Representing New Zealand in international and trans-Tasman regulatory forums as a recognised specialist in the field of nutrition and regulatory science.
• Building and managing collaborative relationships with key stakeholders.

About You - Mōu

We are looking for someone who is pragmatic, strategic and driven with the ability to confidently communicate nutrition science to all levels of audience. You will demonstrate deep technical expertise in nutrition science and food regulation, have established relationships with key stakeholders, and political nous to help MPI deliver on its strategic objectives.

As the role has never been held, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to make the role their own and create a space for themselves within the directorate. This means that our successful applicant will have to lead from the front to drive strategic priorities and work programmes forward.

You may come from an adjacent government agency, a food regulatory setting or have significant industry experience.

Our ideal candidate will also have / display :

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 Food Science team uses a risk-based approach to provide science and technical advice to support and inform risk management decisions in the development of food standards and food policy, specifically in the areas of food labelling and food composition. It does so with the aim of protecting public health and facilitating trade, consistent with good regulatory practice.

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

Application and notices

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 5 October 2025.

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.

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