Press Secretary (Level 1) - Hon Penny Simmonds at Candidate Experience Site - Department of Internal Affairs

Derby, England, United Kingdom -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

26 Apr, 26

Salary

123842.0

Posted On

26 Jan, 26

Experience

0 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Media Communications, Organizational Skills, Communication Skills, Social Media Savvy, Speech Writing, Press Release Writing, Relationship Building, Attention to Detail, Strategic Outlook, Understanding of Environmental Issues, Understanding of Vocational Education, Understanding of Social Development, Anticipation of News Stories, Narrative Creation, Political Awareness

Industry

Government Relations Services

Description

The Opportunity: Hon Penny Simmonds, Minister for the Environment, Minister for Vocational Education and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment, is seeking a Press Secretary to join her team. This role supports the Minister and her office with the development and promotion of key strategies related to her portfolios. This role offers a unique opportunity to be at the heart of communicating the policies and initiatives of the government to the New Zealand public. What can I expect? As a Press Secretary in Hon Penny Simmonds’ office, you will join a highly capable and trusted team responsible for supporting the Minister across her portfolios. Utilizing your knowledge and experience around Environment, Vocational Education & Associate Social Development and Employment. You will be responsible for ensuring that all media communications from the Minister’s office are consistent with the agreed priorities and messages of the Government, providing a strategic outlook, and supporting the Minister with the development and promotion of key strategies. This is an intermediate level role, and you will be supported as you build your skills and experience. This is an events-based position based on the parliamentary term. The likely appointment range for this position is $94,499 - $123,842 per annum. What skills or experience would I need to be successful? While media, communications, or journalism experience would be advantageous, we are equally open to applications from individuals with experience in and passion for the Minister’s portfolios, looking to apply their outstanding communications skills in a new field. You will need an understanding of the issues and initiatives of importance to the Minister and her portfolio areas, a great attitude, exceptional organisational skills, and a willingness and interest in building your knowledge and confidence in communicating on both climate change and revenue related matters. The role of Press Secretary requires you to move seamlessly through a range of complex material, where an eye for detail and the ability to communicate complex ideas to a variety of audiences, through a variety of channels is critical to success. The nature of this position requires a person to both anticipate a story before it happens as well as to create the narrative. With a highly attuned awareness of both the media and the political landscape, you will be social media savvy and confident in writing speeches and press releases. You will be comfortable and confident in building relationships with members of the Minister’s team, the press gallery, and a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders. Interested? Apply today! Please note applicants must be Permanent Residents or NZ Citizens and are required to obtain and maintain a national security clearance at a Top Secret or above. Prior to applying, please assess your eligibility status using the Protective Security Requirements tool found here: Getting and maintaining a national security clearance | Protective Security Requirements Applications close Monday 9 February 2026 however we will be assessing and interviewing suitable applicants throughout this period – early applications are encouraged. For more information, please contact Ministerial Resourcing. Please click here to view the job description. About us Ministerial Resourcing is the team within the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) responsible for ensuring Ministers’ offices are suitably resourced with a range of highly skilled staff, who, in turn, provide a high level of support to the Minister, and ensure the smooth day to day running of their office. As a Ministerial office staff member, you will be employed by DIA and supported by our dedicated team of Portfolio Managers. Our purpose is to serve and connect people, communities and Government to build a safe, prosperous and respected nation. In other words, it’s all about helping to make New Zealand better for New Zealanders. At the Department of Internal Affairs, the work we do makes New Zealand a better place for those born here, and those new New Zealanders who have chosen to call this country home. Ministerial and Secretariat Services is a business unit responsible for providing a range of services to the executive arm of government (VIP Transport, managing official visits to New Zealand), as well as support and advisory functions to bodies such as the Gambling Commission.

Responsibilities

As a Press Secretary, you will support the Minister in developing and promoting key strategies related to her portfolios. You will ensure that all media communications are consistent with government priorities and messages.