Job Title: Senior Policy Analyst, Food Policy
Role type: Permanent, full-time
Location: Wellington City
Salary band & range: GSR Range D, $98,955 to $132,427 depending on skills and experience.
(Midpoint for this position is $115,691 per annum.)
Applications from MPI employees with Affected status will be given priority consideration.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role
We are seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to join the Food Policy team which sits within the Regulatory Systems Policy directorate of Policy & Trade.
Policy and Trade Branch 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.
As a Senior Policy Analyst, you will play an important role in developing and amending food safety legislation and regulations to help maintain and improve New Zealand's food safety system. You will collaborate on modernising New Zealand's food safety legislation and regulations with technical staff and sector stakeholders, and critically analyse and respond to issues as they arise. There will be a focus on refining the legislation to support exports, the sustainable growth of the food sectors and set the stage for further work.
You will also have the opportunity and flexibility to work on a variety of other interesting topics across the wider food system. This could include export requirements, agricultural compounds and veterinary medicines and strategic policy work.
If you want a career where you help to grow New Zealand in a very real way, then this is it.

Mōu - About You
The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, a solution focussed approach, and a proven ability to forge effective partnerships. You will be comfortable presenting complex information in a way that can be easily understood by various internal and external audiences.
You will likely be working or have worked in a Senior Policy Adviser or Senior Policy Analyst role with a sound understanding of legislation development, government processes, including Parliamentary processes. You will have experience supporting Ministers by providing timely and relevant responses to Ministerial and Parliamentary questions and preparing Ministerial correspondence.
To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• A strong legal understanding and experience developing new regulations, preferably in a technical environment.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills to solve complex policy problems.
• Experience in a policy/regulatory role and navigating Parliamentary processes.
• Experience leading consultation and engagement with external stakeholders.
• A sound understanding of the primary sector and/or the food safety regulatory framework.
• Strong interpersonal and influencing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across MPI, across government and with external stakeholder groups.
• Leadership and mentoring skills to help guide and grow the team.

You do not need to meet all of 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
You will be based in our Wellington office, reporting to the Manager Food Policy, and working alongside a small but high performing team that is dedicated to working collaboratively with one another in a supportive atmosphere.
The Food Policy team amends the food safety regulations and works closely with the regulator, New Zealand Food Safety. They are responsible for creating regulations to make the existing regulatory framework for food, animal products and wine production clearer and more accessible. Upcoming work is likely to focus on modernising the ACVM legislation and other parts of the food safety regulatory framework as well as finalising the Organics regulations.
This effort sees them working with the Ministers for Agriculture and Food Safety, the Ministry of Regulation, the Parliamentary Select Committee, and a diverse range of food, animal product and wine sector stakeholders. Food Policy also partner closely with our colleagues across MPI and government.
MPI is committed to growing and protecting New Zealand's primary sector. The safety of food, animal products and wine are vital to New Zealand's economy through our exports abroad.

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

• Annual Wellness payment
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Additional MPI leave days.

Benefits of working at MPI

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 Sunday 15 September.
If you have any questions about the role, please email Louise.Devine@mpi.govt.nz

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