Senior Technical Adviser

Job DescriptionSenior Technical AdviserRole type: Permanent, full-timeLocation: ChristchurchSalary band & range: General Salary Range E: $87,008 to $116,232 depending on skills and experienceAbout the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga As a Senior Technical Adviser, you will support the Biosecurity Central & South Directorate through the development and implementation of key initiatives. 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, manage biosecurity and health and safety risk as well as limit potential liability of compensation claims due to error.The Senior Technical Adviser is required to work both at a regional and national level across the directorate, and with specific teams/regions. 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 Regional and National Border Clearance Services Directorate through the development and implementation of key initiatives.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 adviceProviding expert technical advice to Border Clearance Services, utilising your subject matter knowledge and experienceDesigning, delivering and monitoring performance analysis, insights and reporting on work program to the BCS Senior Leadership TeamProactively identifying emerging risks that could impact Border Clearance Services ability to deliver against its strategic priorities.Process development - Providing support, advice and information on the development of work programs About You - MōuWe are looking for an adaptable individual who has positively participated as a lead member of a team in ambiguous work environments.Our ideal candidate will have:A tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline or equivalent experienceproven ability to deliver quality advice, guidance and material on timeA strong work ethic coupled with a sense of self-motivationDemonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong, working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.Excellent command of written and verbal communication.Strong experience in Word/Excel, PowerBI and Powerpoint.Successful experience in project management, planning, monitoring and risk mitigation. 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 RōpūThe 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 - Mō Te Manatū Ahu MatuaOur 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 daysAnnual Wellness paymentBi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/framesCareer development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisationSecurity checks - Ngā Taki WhakahaumaruLow level Security Clearancemost preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, ORis a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool. If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? We 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 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 shane.gooch@mpi.govt.nz