About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

Do you want to work in an organisation that is “Growing and protecting New Zealand” and focussed on the success of the primary industries for the benefit of all New Zealanders?

The Ministry for Primary Industries has an exciting and rare opportunity for a full-time, permanent Adviser/Senior Adviser – Quality Assurance to join the Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team at MPI's Animal Health Laboratory (AHL).

The Animal Health Laboratory located in Upper Hutt is New Zealand's reference centre for exotic, new and emerging terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases and contains both PC2 and PC3+ laboratory facilities and is accredited to ISO:17025.

We are seeking an Adviser/Senior Adviser – Quality Assurance to join our multi-disciplinary team and lead AHL's extensive Quality Management System. The role would suit applicants with a background working in laboratories accredited to ISO:17025 and with strong Quality Assurance experience. You will be an excellent team player who can work effectively across multiple teams, has excellent attention to detail, is a highly effective communicator and influencer, is adaptable and calm under pressure.

About You - Mōu

Our ideal candidate will have:

• Tertiary or equivalent qualifications in a related field (e.g. microbiology, biological science), preferably post-graduate.
• More than five years relevant technical or professional experience.
• Comprehensive understanding of quality management systems, quality standards and Acts, including ISO 9001 and ISO 17025.
• Experience in quality systems development, implementation and improvement.
• Experience in managing relationships and consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
• Effective communication (verbal and written) and Strong attention to detail and quality focus
• You do not need to meet all 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 Rōpū

The Assurance, Biosafety and Containment Team is a multi-disciplinary team responsible for a range of operational systems that ensure a safe laboratory operating environment and compliance to the required regulations and standards.

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.

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Low level Security Clearance

most preferably a NZ citizen, who has resided continuously in NZ for at least the last five (5) years, OR

is 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, NZ, 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 NZ 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.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

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 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 Friday 14TH March 2025

If you have any questions about the role, please email cassie.a'uvaa@mpi.govt.nz