Job title: Adviser Operations
Role type: 12 month fixed-term, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary band \& range: General Salary Range Band F: $76,463 to $89,215 depending on skills and experience
About the Role - Korero mo te Turanga
We have an opportunity for an Adviser Operations to join the Approvals Operations team.
The Operations team includes members whose key responsibilities are the processing and approval of applications including but not limited to those under the:
ACVM Act
Animal Products Act
Wine Act
Food Act.
Our team is highly operational, as an Adviser, you will play an important role in facilitating the access of New Zealand primary products into overseas markets. You'll ensure that what we do and how we do it is strategically aligned to the rest of the business. You will work closely with colleagues across New Zealand Food Safety and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and in other agencies acting as a champion for Approvals Operations and communicating to others in relation to the value of the work the team delivers. You will also be instrumental in driving continuous improvement through innovation and thinking differently.
About You - Mou
Our operating environment is dynamic and rewarding, with the team is focused on consistently delivering to a high standard. To be successful in this role you'll bring a positive customer-centric attitude, an innovative mindset, exceptional organising skills and technical nous, and be a confident communicator with a solid understanding of how to lead and support projects and workstreams to deliver the teams objectives.
There is complexity and challenge, so you will need to be resilient, energetic and adaptable to thrive in this environment.
To succeed you will need to:
Have an aptitude for looking for systems-based solutions to complex issues
Be able to work within projects and workstreams confidently, liaising with stakeholders to deliver exceptional results
Be a team player to support and mentor others in the team
Work in a fast-paced environment to deliver on tight timeframes.
About the Team - Mo to matou Ropu
You will be part of a dynamic team within a collaborative environment which works hard and helps each other succeed. The right person will also have potential to grow and develop their career in several pathways available within MPI.
The Operations Team comprises 1 senior and 9 Advisors, who report to the Team Manager Operations, who in turn reports to the Manager Approvals. We are mostly in Wellington but for one in Auckland. This is a highly supportive environment where everyone's got each other's back. Our team is diverse with backgrounds in animal health, food science, international relations, biochemistry, and the Arts.
People enjoy working in this team because we have an energetic and positive team environment, where no two days are the same. You will have the opportunity to nurture the areas that you are good at and you will have opportunities to express your best talents to ensure that you love your job.
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.
Benefits of working at MPI - Nga hua o te mahi i te Manatu Ahu Matua
Additional MPI leave days
Annual Wellness payment
Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/about-mpi/careers/working-mpi/benefits/
Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mo tenei mahi whaitake?
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.
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.
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 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 midnight on Sunday, 1st February 2026.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Abby.Walker@mpi.govt.nz
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