Job Opportunities in New Zealand

Job Title: Senior Programme Adviser
Role type: Fixed Term, full-time until December 2026
Location: Wellington City
General Salary Range D: $98,955 to $132,427 depending on skills and experience.
(Salary midpoint for this position is $115,691 per annum)

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Programme Adviser for a 2-year fixed term contract to support our Programmes and Planning directorate which sits within Policy & Trade business unit. This directorate leads work on branch organisational strategy, programme management, regulatory stewardship, and capability.
Within the Directorate, the Green House Gas (GHG) Programme Hub is home to three high profile programmes: Accelerating New Mitigations (ANM), Agricultural Emissions Programme (AEP) and Global Climate Partnerships (GCP). This role will support the success of the GHG Programme Hub through providing portfolio level management of the projects and programmes in the Hub.
The Senior Programme Adviser is not expected to undertake end-to-end project or programme management responsibilities but is expected to work closely with Hub teams during the scoping phase of new work to get projects on the right track early, and to partner through the course of the project to monitor performance and provide assistance where needed.
As part of this role, you will:

• Provide tailored advice and support throughout the project lifecycle, identifying fit-for-purpose practices that facilitate effective delivery to achieve the business benefits.
• Build and maintain effective “Trusted Adviser” relationships with a wide range of people, including directors, managers, project managers, and external agencies.
• Maintain effective work practices, systems, and productivity to meet the needs of the changing environment by keeping up to date with project management SMART practices and technical competencies relevant to the role.
• Identify common areas of emerging interest across stakeholders and proactively developing opportunities for collaboration.
• Identify project/ programme management coaching/mentoring/training needs.

Mōu - About You
You will likely be working, or have worked in a project, programme, and/or portfolio management role, and possess significant experience in leading high-risk projects/programmes and achieving effective outcomes in situations where there are diverse interests.
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, a solution focussed approach, and a proven ability to forge effective partnerships. You will draw on specialist knowledge and experience to effectively present complex information in a manner that is meaningful and easily understood by a range of audiences.
To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Prince2 or PMP certification or equivalent.
• Either a Programme Management qualification OR Management of Portfolios qualification.
• Either proven experience in developing and delivering medium to large scale initiatives to build project / programme capability OR a programme/portfolio management qualification and programme/portfolio management experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and credibility with senior management and a wide range of project stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority at all levels of the organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of strategic and operational planning processes in a large service delivery organisation.
• Advanced communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse individuals, groups, and interests.
• Previous experience in establishing and effectively maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders, Māori and Government agencies.
• High degree of initiative and perseverance to follow through an issue to successful completion or resolution.

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.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
Policy and Trade provides sector-level strategic thinking and evidence-based advice for effective government decision-making for systems related to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, biosecurity, food, animal welfare and rural communities. Our people are our greatest resource. They are collaborative, supportive, passionate, and are highly skilled in a range of economic, science and social disciplines.
This is a Wellington based role reporting to the Head of Accelerating New Mitigations Programme and working alongside a team that brings a mix of industry knowledge, machinery of government experience and promotes strategic thinking. The team has a collaborative working style so that everyone feels supported in contributing to their collective goals.
The team also works closely with the Policy & Trade business unit, wider organisation, and industry bodies, so there is ample opportunity to build meaningful relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
We're passionate about growing prosperity in the sector while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki – guardianship of our natural resources.

Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI.

• Additional MPI leave days.
• Annual Wellness payment
• Mentoring and coaching programmes

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - 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, 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 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 Thursday 31 October.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Louise.Devine@mpi.govt.nz

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