Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

Vessel Target Evaluators are responsible for providing primary screening of arrival documentation and issuing relevant directions for vessels in the maritime pathway. This enables recognition of MPI as a trusted leader of fully integrated and adaptive Biosecurity systems that protect NZ's natural advantage.

As a vessel target evaluator, your key duties will include:

• Screening vessel arrival documentation in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 1993
• Providing recommendations to Border Clearance Services on appropriate actions for effective risk mitigation
• The capture of vessel information and biosecurity risks
• Building and sustaining positive working relations with maritime pathway stakeholders, government border agencies including the New Zealand Custom Service and other MPI teams

Mōu - About You

This is the role for you if you have an interest in the maritime pathway, and the wider environmental, economic, social, and political context it operates within. You'll bring comprehensive knowledge of the maritime pathway and/or biosecurity operational environment and ideally previous experience in a similar role.

You'll also bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification and/or equivalent knowledge skills and experience in a relevant field (particularly science related)
• A Strong customer centric ethos coupled with the ability to develop and manage relationships with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to read and apply regulatory requirements and process guidelines
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• 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.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team

Our team, Intelligence and Targeting, is part of the Integrated Targeting & Operations Centre (ITOC). A small team of dedicated target evaluators screen vessel arrival documentation, previous history, and intelligence holdings for biosecurity risk. Working in accordance with relevant MPI procedures and standards including the Biosecurity Act 1993 and subordinate legislation under that act including the Craft Risk Management Standard (CRMS).

Ideally our candidate would be based either in Auckland alongside our team at the Integrated Targeting & Operations Centre (ITOC) or at one of the Border Clearance Services regional ports offices: Whangarei, Tauranga, Napier, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Lyttelton, Dunedin, Timaru, or Invercargill.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI

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.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working

We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks Higher level Security Clearance

Is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years
AND:

most preferably a NZ citizen who has resided continuously in NZ for at least the last ten (10) years, OR
is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last ten (10) years: either Australia, Canada, NZ, UK or the USA; and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the NZSIS towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at a higher level.

Click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-checktool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

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, whanau 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 a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; 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.

Applications close at midnight on 3 February 2025

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

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