Senior National Operations Coordinator

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Senior National Operations Coordinator

Role type: Permanent Full-Time

Location: Auckland (Mangere and CBD)

Salary band & range: General Salary Range E - $87,008 to $111,782 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga
As a Senior National Operations Coordinator, you'll enhance situational awareness across MPI and the wider government system by managing real-time information, building strong relationships, and supporting confident decision-making.

You will be central to establishing and maintaining relationships throughout the Greater Auckland Region.

You will be part of the key alternate arrangements should national control need to be led by Auckland and support the Delegated Chief Executive (DCE).

You'll bring your organisational skills, adaptability, and commitment to public service to a team that values integrity, teamwork, and continuous improvement.

Based in Auckland you'll work face-to-face with internal and external stakeholders, supporting the delegated Chief Executive and liaising with senior leaders.

This role offers autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to shape how operational coordination is delivered across the biosecurity system.

You'll love to:

• Use your emergency management background to support all-of-government coordination and response
• Build and maintain strong networks across MPI and the wider government system
• Support the delegated Chief Executive and liaise with senior leaders
• Provide real-time information to enable confident, timely decision-making across operational and strategic levels
• Apply critical thinking and manage ambiguity in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Lead innovative approaches to improve situational awareness and operational coordination
• Work across multiple business areas and agencies to support biosecurity readiness and response
• Operate with a high degree of autonomy and shape the role to meet evolving needs
• Engage directly with stakeholders through face-to-face interactions at key operational sites

There are regular on-call needs with this role.

You will be required to work during a variety of response events, at varying levels, and there will also be some overnight travel.

About You - Mōu

You bring autonomy, vision, and foresight, with strong networks in emergency management, local councils, and partner organisations.

You're confident navigating ambiguity, prioritising work, and engaging across diverse topics and operational environments.

You bring strong skills to:

• Communicate effectively across a range of levels and organisations
• Work in a varied-paced environment and manage ambiguity
• Be involved in responses
• Apply analytical thinking and problem solving
• Establish networks across MPI, wider government and industry

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or provisional) or equivalent full foreign drivers licence, and any endorsements required for the type of driving you'll be doing.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The National Operations Centre (NOC) sits within the Biosecurity Intelligence Systems, and Response Group.

The team is responsible for national-level awareness, coordination, and operational support for responses, surveillance, and readiness activities.

We are a close-knit team supporting the Ministry for Primary Industries.

We work collaboratively, value integrity and continuous improvement, and support each other through challenges and change.

We foster an environment where ideas can be challenged, discussed, and worked through together.

This newly created role strengthens our Auckland presence, supporting national resilience and the Delegated Chief Executive when needed.

You'll be part of a small, fun, and supportive satellite team, backed by the local Biosecurity Response Operations team.

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.

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

• Additional MPI leave days
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to the costs of corrective lenses/frames
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Note: For more details on benefits, refer to MPI careers site.

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

Higher level Security Clearance

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

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

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.

Applications close at 11.59pm 22 October 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email

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Required Skill Profession

Project & Process Management