Job Title: Principal Adviser, Economic Data & Analysis
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary band & range: General Salary Range B, $136,214 to $182,836 per annum depending on skills and experience.
(Salary midpoint for this position is $159,525 per annum)

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
We are seeking a Principal Adviser to join our Strategy, Insights and Evidence directorate, which sits within Policy and Trade. The Policy and Trade business unit 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.
The work of Policy and Trade underpins the performance of the economy across areas that matter to all New Zealanders, like the safety of our food, climate change, animal welfare, biosecurity, rural communities, fisheries, and much more.
In this role you'll partner with key industry stakeholders to address the economic challenges facing our primary sectors as they transition to a productive, sustainable, low-emissions future. You'll also play a key part in improving MPI's economic capability and understanding of the opportunities and barriers facing our primary sectors.
As a curious and enthusiastic individual, you will play a key role in the use of economic modelling to inform and influence policy decisions and answer the important macroeconomic questions facing our primary industries. You'll be able to use MPI's in-house Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model (along with other modelling techniques) and effectively communicate results and pragmatic advice to senior policy officials.

As a Principal Adviser, you will:

• Act as a thought leader within the Ministry by ensuring high profile policy analysis is underpinned by credible economic rationale.
• Lead and build Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) modelling capability across key parts of MPI to utilise the bespoke CGE model created for our organisation.
• Drive the selection and completion of strategic research projects to ensure MPI is well-prepared and proactive in addressing expected challenges and opportunities.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key individuals across the spectrum of stakeholders, Māori, government, and non-government agencies.
• Provide training and mentoring in areas of economic modelling to build capability (for Cost Benefit Analysis, for example) across Policy and Trade.

Mōu - About You
To be successful in this role, you'll have a passion for growing and understanding our primary sectors, with relevant experience in economic modelling, consulting, business, banking, or as an economist or related role. You'll be a thought-leader who is comfortable drawing insights from quantitative and qualitative information, is sharp with data, and someone who can distil information into relevant, narrative-rich analysis and advice.
Your strong collaboration and communication skills will help you build lasting networks across government and the food and fibre sector, while mentoring and guiding the development of junior staff. You will challenge conventional norms and use strategic thinking and analytical skills to transform the way information is collected, used, and shared.

You will be able to demonstrate:

• A tertiary qualification in economics, finance, or a related discipline.
• Detailed and comprehensive knowledge of macroeconomics and how economic principles apply in the New Zealand primary sector context.
• Extensive experience in CGE modelling or related economic modelling and/or forecasting.
• Proven understanding of the world trade environment and the constraints and opportunities for NZ primary products.
• Ability to apply abstract economic concepts to real-world situations and influencing decision makers.
• Proven ability to provide specialist knowledge and experience in a manner that is easily understood by a range of audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills; the ability to effectively engage with a wide range of persons with interest and involvement in the primary sector.
• Experience building and maintaining effective relationships across a range of groups and individuals with potentially conflicting interests.
• Strong mentoring and training skills to enable staff growth and development.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
You will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Economic Data & Analysis, and working alongside a high performing group where team culture plays a key role in their success.
MPI's Economic Data and Analysis team investigates emerging trends in agricultural production, trade, and the wider economic environment in which we operate to understand what the changing world means for the future of our primary industries.
This team are committed to creating an environment that promotes teamwork and collaboration to ensure that everyone is contributing to our success and achieving collective goals. As a Principal Adviser, you would also promote guidance and mentoring opportunities for our junior colleagues to help uplift branch capability.
If you're passionate about economics and our primary industries and want to make sure the government can support our farmers and growers so they can sustainably grow their businesses this might be the opportunity you've been searching for.

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
• 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
Low level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand 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, New Zealand, 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 New Zealand 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.

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 Wednesday 25 September.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Louise.Devine@mpi.govt.nz

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