Senior Adviser - Food Risk Assessment
Role type: Permanent
Location: Wellington
Salary Range, GSR D: $98,955- $115,000 depending on skills and experience
Applications from MPI employees with Affected status will be given priority consideration

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
This is an chance to take up a key role in the Food Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, within New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS). This is a fast-paced, interesting, and varied role that will help deliver science to fill knowledge gaps, mitigate risks, and strengthen evidence-based decision-making as it relates to food.
An exciting opportunity for someone passionate about Food Safety, Toxicology, and Data analysis and interpretation, to take up an important role in the Food Science and Risk Assessment Directorate, within New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS).
We are searching for an experienced and enthusiastic Senior Adviser – Risk Assessment, with expertise and experience in Toxicology of human health, who will play a key role in answering the important chemical/contaminant questions currently facing the primary industries and food safety. You will use previous regulatory experience, strategic thinking, and analytical skills to respond and advise on food related safety questions. You will have confidence to work independently but collaboratively within the existing toxicology technical expertise at NZFS. You'll be a thought-leader who is comfortable drawing insights from quantitative and qualitative information, is not overwhelmed by data, and can distil information into relevant, narrative-rich analysis and advice.
The role requires high-level expertise, situational awareness, and big picture thinking. The Senior Adviser – Risk Assessment, along with the team and the manager, will help drive strategic change for the Directorate. This is your opportunity to shape food regulations, food policy and food trade both here in New Zealand and internationally, through the application of your scientific skills.
The role requires management of short and long-term research projects and the ability to put this into relevant context as it relates to food safety and human health. It requires important relationship building across the NZFS business units. Externally, our relationships are with all New Zealand major research providers, subject matter experts, public and environmental health functions within the Government, international regulatory bodies or similar, as well as primary industries stakeholders.

Mōu - About You
You'll be comfortable drawing insights from quantitative and qualitative information, use data appropriately, can work with incomplete information to form conclusions, and can distil information into relevant, narrative-rich analysis and advice. You will have a critical but open mind about the existence of divergent views internationally regarding toxicology data interpretation. You will provide technical advice that relates to possible human health effects from chemicals and other contaminants/substances found in food, water, and the environment (such as heavy metals in soil, nitrates in water, etc). When these events occur, they could become high-profile, which could attract high scrutiny and interest from external parties, such as the public, media, and international trading partners. You will have strong technical writing skills and ability to translate complex scientific subjects to a variety of audiences, from Minister to consumers.

To be successful, you will have the following:
Qualifications and Experience

• Postgraduate degree in toxicology is essential
• Postgraduate degree in food science or public health is highly desirable
• Strong data analytical skills and the ability to provide thorough peer-review of technical scientific reports and other deliverables under our contracts
• Up-to-date knowledge in food toxicology (safety and suitability), with a recognised track record in its successful application in food-based science.
• Strong knowledge of international and national trends in food related toxicology
• Experience in risk profiling, and qualitative and quantitative exposure and risk assessment
• Experience in design and management of chemical analysis surveys and toxicology studies
• Knowledge of food production control systems in NZ and overseas
• General knowledge of regulatory toxicology in relation to the food safety environment
• Experience in gathering, organising, and communicating technical information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to translate complexity to simplicity
• Experience in managing inter-government relationships and consultation with a wide range of external national and international stakeholders

Skills

• Strong, timely, and audience appropriate, communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to represent MPI at a high level in national and international fora
• Ability to write robust scientific reports without supervision
• Ability to question the norm and dig into the basis for existing regulatory toxicology decisions
• Strong judgement and analytical skills
• Strong writing skills and attention to detail
• Sound relationship management skills
• Time management skills. Able to plan, organise and prioritise to efficiently accomplish tasks and meet objectives

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
The Food Science & Risk Assessment Directorate has a specialised role in providing a wide range of general science and risk assessment advice to internal (MPI) and external stakeholders (including industry, consumers, and funders of scientific research) that is essential to robust development of food safety standards. Science and/or risk assessment is a key input at all decision and operational steps.
Following internationally agreed procedures, the Food Risk Assessment team primarily provides science advice on the risks associated with food, and the likely impact of various control measures. The assessment is used by risk managers across MPI to assist them to select the most effective risk management options.
Working closely with the Manager Food Risk Assessment you will also work alongside a team of scientists from different backgrounds and varied knowledge such as, Meat Hygiene, Toxicology and Microbiology.

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

• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Comprehensive 3-day MPI Induction Programme

Wā Mahi Ngāwari - Flexible Working
We support flexible working arrangements and are happy to discuss these options with you.

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 5th September 2024
If you have any questions about the role, please email Luke.Farrell@mpi.govt.nz

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