Senior Adviser Surveillance (Aquatic)

Senior Adviser Surveillance (Aquatic)

Role type : Permanent

Location : Upper Hutt

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

About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga

We are seeking an experienced aquatic health expert with strong data analysis skills, particularly in data modelling, to join our team.

The successful candidate will join MPI's aquatic animal health expertise network and work alongside a multidisciplinary group of trusted specialists who all share a passion for biosecurity and operational excellence.

We operate in a dynamic high trust environment in order to effectively contribute to New Zealand's biosecurity system.

Our focus is on Surveillance and Incursion Investigation, essentially looking for and investigating biosecurity risks.

Our aim is to reduce biological risk to our unique environments and protect the integrity and reputation of New Zealand's primary industries.

Along with developing and delivering MPI's aquatic surveillance programmes, you'll provide subject matter expertise across MPI and build relationships with key stakeholders to ensure the effective operation of our aquatic surveillance work.

About You – Mou

Our ideal candidate will have the following :

• Post-graduate university qualification in relevant aquatic / data science / veterinary science / epidemiology science discipline
• 5+ years relevant technical / professional experience
• Knowledge of / experience with marine / biosecurity surveillance system development and / or management
• High level of data analysis, management and information technology
• Analytical and conceptual thinking skills
• Excellent written skills : a demonstrated ability to produce written material that is concise, fluent, and clearly presented
• Ability to plan, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Understanding of health and safety and quality management principles

You will be a team player with excellent leadership and communication skills, sound judgment, and an ability to think outside of the square.

You will also have the ability to work under time and political pressure.

Additionally, applicants must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it.

About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu

Our Diagnostics, Readiness and Surveillance (DRS) directorate are the guardians of Aotearoa New Zealand's biosecurity.

We run a number of targeted and general biosecurity surveillance programmes at any one time, identifying new pests and diseases that make it past our borders, providing research and analysis on their potential impacts, and supporting any further response activities that may be required.

Our greatest asset is our people.

We have teams of highly qualified, passionate science professionals who get to work on operational activities and projects they're interested in.

With employees from over 20 different countries, DRS is a diverse and welcoming place to work.

Then there's our facilities.

We've got the highest post-entry quarantine level plant facility in New Zealand.

Our design-award winning Wallaceville biocontainment laboratory is one of the newest, most advanced biocontainment labs in the world.

Opened in 2021, it's the most complex building in New Zealand.

All our labs are reference labs, so our team works on complex cases, not only routine diagnostic lab activities.

We have the best, highest qualified people - critical thinkers solving dynamic problems.

You'll work on challenging, interesting and unusual cases – often things that are so new to biosecurity that no one else is working on them.

About MPI - Mo te Manatu 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.

To find out more about the Ministry and what we do please click here.

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

Relocation and visa assistance will be considered for successful applicants.

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 click "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 28 September.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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