Principal Adviser - Operational Readiness Animals

## Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Job title : Principal Adviser – Operational Readiness Animals
• Role type :
• Permanent Full Time
• Location :
• Wellington
• General Salary Range C :
• $119,376 to $139,700+ dependant on skills and experienceIf so, we invite you to apply for the role of
• Principal Adviser – Operational Readiness Animals
• at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
• About the Role - Kōrero mō te tūranga
• As our Principal Adviser, you'll lead readiness planning for exotic animal disease outbreaks that could significantly impact New Zealand. You'll provide expert advice, shape strategic direction, contribute to threat readiness development and ensure our readiness systems are robust, integrated, and internationally aligned.Your key responsibilities will be to :
• Lead strategic planning for exotic animal disease readiness e.g. Avian Flu and Foot and Mouth Disease are MPI's two top priorities
• Provide technical input during disease responses and operationalise policy
• Develop and refine operational documents and readiness to respond implementation operational plans (e.g. depopulation, disposal, decontamination, movement control, vaccination etc)
• Analyse research trials and apply findings to readiness planning
• Deliver high-quality briefings to senior leaders and stakeholders
• Maintain awareness of international best practices and apply them in a New Zealand context
• Build relationships with international partners, including the QUADs Alliance
• Coach and mentor colleagues to build capability
• Influence Government Industry Agreement (GIA) partners and governance to enhance strategic and integrated national readiness
• About You - Mōu
• To succeed effectively in this role you'll be someone with :
• Strong leadership and strategic integrated planning skills
• Deep technical knowledge of animal disease responses and epidemiology
• Experience working with stakeholders across government, industry, and international networks
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to deliver impactful briefings
• A collaborative mindset and ability to influence across diverse groups
• A good understanding of systems and how they integrate with, and impact other teamsYou 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.We envisage your commencement date with us to be in February 2026.
• About the Team
• Mō tō mātou Rōpū
• We're committed to safeguarding New Zealand's way of life. Our team of 5 values openness, agility, and proactive engagement. We support diversity and inclusion, and we're united by a spirit of service to MPI and the communities across our country.
• About MPI - Mō te Manatū 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 - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua
• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisationWe are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.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 Manatū 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 FOR THIS JOB” or visit the . To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.
• Applications close at 11.59pm on Sunday, 23 November 2025
• If you have any questions about the role, please email
• Follow MPI here - Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei
• , , ,| Location : | Wellington City |

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