• Job Type:
• Category: Management
• Location: Wellington City
• Date Advertised: 11-JAN-21
• Job Reference: MPI20/1477084A
• Job Title: Specialist Adviser, Planning
• Business Unit:
• Division:
• Summary:

Kōrero mō te tūranga – About the Role

The Specialist Adviser Planning will drive the development of our planning capability to effectively prepare for and manage responses. You will provide subject matter expertise and will work across organisational boundaries to deliver a comprehensive work programme.  This role will be responsible for the continuous improvement of tools and frameworks to support effective deployment of the planning function during responses.

As a Specialist Adviser, you will also be required to provide additional response function leadership in major or severe responses when required.

Some of your core day to day duties will involve the following:

• Design and deliver readiness products and activities relative to your area of speciality such as plans, processes, operational tools and frameworks.
• Support and coordinate the testing and exercising of readiness products.
• Monitor and evaluate effectiveness and utilisation and deliver continuous improvement as and when required.
• Support change processes to enable implementation, uptake and consistent application of products.
• Working closely with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including primary industries, to ensure that all readiness products, activities and processes developed are user centric and fit for purpose.
• Actively supporting and participating in responses when required.

Mōu – About You

This role will be ideal for you if you have prior response experience, a background in operational planning, and an ability to apply a logical problem solving approach to complex issues.  You will have a good understanding of how detailed planning can assist at the tactical, operational and strategic levels.  You should be happy in undertaking a role that has no incumbent and the success of it has a direct correlation of the effort you put in.

You will have some team leadership experience and will have the requisite skills to lead a function specific team during a response.  

We are looking for people who are adaptable and can thrive in a complex and sometimes ambiguous environment. Our ideal candidates will be team players who are resourceful, have initiative and a proven ability to deliver results. You will be able to think creatively, work under pressure, and prioritise your work. You will bring a high degree of enthusiasm and energy to the role.

Additionally, you will have:

• At least 5 years professional experience in the field of tactical, operational and strategic planning.
• Qualifications, or proven experience in response or emergency management.
• Proven experience as natural collaborator, and in navigating relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication
• Experience working in a Government agency or NGO.

Mō tō mātou rōpū – About the Team

The Readiness Group focuses on improving MPI’s overall readiness in order to respond effectively and includes maintaining generic readiness that supports all systems; including biosecurity, food safety, adverse events, animal welfare and trade.

Readiness and Response Services is a directorate that forms part of the Biosecurity New Zealand Branch and is responsible for bringing together critical capability to effectively prepare and manage responses, and to co-ordinate recovery and long-term management activities, as well as compensation resulting from actions taken to manage biosecurity incursions to those economically impacted. As a directorate we work across biosecurity, food, primary production and trade systems.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua – About MPI

MPI is helping to seize export opportunities for our primary industries, improve sector productivity, ensure the food we produce is safe, increase sustainable resource use, and protect New Zealand from biological risk.

Ahurea – Culture

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture. We are fair in our behaviour and our policies promote equal opportunity for all. We provide numerous training programmes and opportunities for people to continuously improve their skill sets and keep up to date with global best practices. MPI has a focus on career pathways so this is the first step in your career with us and we will help you grow.

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

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua: – Benefits of working at MPI

• Up to three additional (MPI holidays) leave days
• Benefit from flexible working arrangements
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Wellness benefit for employees
• Workstation assessment
• Free annual flu vaccination
• Bi-annual MPI-paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames

See the benefits of working at MPI

The role is banded range D $92,000 to $108,000 depending on skills and experience.

Wā Mahi Ngāwari – Flexible Working

If you’re interested we are open to discussing flexible working options with you.  This can take many forms such as (but not limited to) reduced hours, remote working, flexible start and finish times, compressed hours or term-time work.  Please feel free to talk to us at the interview about the flexibility you are looking for and we will explore what’s possible for the role.

To join a diverse and interesting organisation that offers a wide range of career opportunities click on our link below!

Me pēhea te tuku tono – How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for one or more of the roles please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online careers portal.

Please specify which of the specialist adviser roles you are interested in being considered for in your application.

To apply for this role 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.

The closing date is Monday 25th January 2021.

If you have any questions about the role, please email amy.hopkins@mpi.govt.nz   

The Ministry for Primary Industries is committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values inclusion and diversity. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to our communities in Aotearoa. In return you’ll enjoy an inclusive and flexible working environment in a diverse team of people while you’re growing your career here in NZ and internationally. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.