Principal Advisor Biodiversity at Department of Conservation | Te Papa Atawhai

Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

18 Mar, 26

Salary

162500.0

Posted On

18 Dec, 25

Experience

10 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Strategic Systems Thinking, Communication Skills, Relationship Skills, Māori Tikanga, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Programme Leadership, Organisational Strategy, Mentoring, Collaboration, Risk Mitigation, Evidence Translation, Change Management, Resource Management, Te Ao Māori, Biodiversity Conservation, Science-Policy Interface

Industry

Government Administration

Description

Help shape the future of Aotearoa’s marine and freshwater biodiversity – work with others to drive evidence-based strategy and action that protects nature for generations. Permanent, fulltime, Wellington CBD based role Salary $123,000-$162,500 Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa The Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai (DOC) serves to protect and restore nature across Aotearoa. When nature thrives, we all thrive. Ko tā Te Papa Atawhai he tiaki, he whakarauora anō hoki i te taiao puta noa i Aotearoa. He oranga taiao, he oranga tangata. Te Papa Atawhai/Department of Conservation protects and restores Aotearoa’s nature - on land, in freshwater, and at sea - through science, Mātauranga Māori, and strong partnerships. DOC is entering an exciting phase as we deliver new national biodiversity mandates, including the NZ Biodiversity Strategy, and integrating our new biodiversity investment and prioritisation system (BioInvest: biodiversity investment approach). He angitūtanga | About the role This is a senior leadership role that puts you at the heart of DOC’s efforts to protect biodiversity and shape the future of conservation. Based in Wellington, you’ll help set the strategic direction for marine and freshwater work across DOC. Operating at the science–policy interface, you’ll connect DOC with agencies, local government, iwi partners, researchers, and industry - turning complex evidence into clear, practical advice for senior leaders and Ministers. You’ll influence priorities, integrate Mātauranga Māori, and ensure evidence is translated into actionable options. The role also includes coaching and mentoring, building capability, and fostering a high-performing team culture. In this role you will: Set strategic priorities for the directorate in partnership with the Director Marine and Freshwater Biodiversity, ensuring alignment with DOC’s goals. Help set the strategic direction and thought leadership for DOC’s marine and freshwater work. Lead change programmes that improve systems, processes, and outcomes across the directorate. Build strong relationships with internal leaders, iwi/hapū, and external agencies to enable collaboration and shared success. Embed Te Tiriti o Waitangi principles and integrate te ao Māori and mātauranga Māori into work programmes. Translate complex information into clear, actionable advice for senior leaders and Ministers. Plan and deliver large-scale programmes, including scoping, resource management, and risk mitigation. Represent DOC in cross-agency initiatives, influencing priorities and driving integrated solutions. Coach and mentor others, fostering capability and a high-performing, collaborative team culture. Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience We are looking for someone who brings: Strategic systems thinking, with excellent communication and relationship skills, able to turn complex issues into clear, practical options for decision makers. Strong understanding of Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi, with experience building Treaty partnerships and integrating Mātauranga Māori into work programmes. Ability to influence priorities and work effectively with iwi, government agencies, and industry. Proven experience leading complex programmes, driving outcomes, and supporting organisational strategy. Skilled at translating complex information into clear advice for senior leaders and Ministers. A relevant tertiary qualification or experience in marine or freshwater conservation and/or science. Experience mentoring and building capability in others Someone who works in genuine partnership with Māori and acts as an honourable treaty partner. Being a genuine Treaty partner means: Putting Treaty relationships first in the way we work Showing respect in every partnership Growing our Treaty knowledge and Te Ao Māori capability Desirable: Familiarity with DOC’s structure and systems Ability to work with ambiguity and manage complex projects Familiarity with the New Zealand science system Click here for the position description. Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What’s in it for you? At the heart of our success is our strong DOC culture, built on clear values. Our integrity grounds us, our connections take us further together, we empower ourselves and others to do the best work, so we achieve more for nature and New Zealand. DOC is committed to working as an honourable Treaty Partner. DOC places importance on developing a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable and inclusive by default. You can learn more about what we offer here. Tono ināianei | Apply now Apply online with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills, experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai. Your experience may come from mahi on the marae, with your iwi or hapū, through connections, community or volunteer work, or other roles. We value the wide range of skills, strengths and knowledge that people bring, no matter where they were gained. Please note, due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept direct or emailed applications or provide feedback to those not shortlisted. If you require any accommodations or adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please do let us know. The salary range for this position is $123,000-$162,500 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience. Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment. Rā katinga | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday 9 February 2026. Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries, contact Kirstie Knowles at kknowles@doc.govt.nz Please note that we have replaced our previous recruitment system with Workday, you will need to create a new Candidate Home account when applying for new roles. The Department of Conservation is a great place to work for anyone who is passionate about nature and the environment. Our people are responsible for caring for our land, water and native species. Spread throughout the country, they ensure that nature can thrive. They perform a huge range of tasks in roles from technical specialists to support staff and frontline rangers. Read more about Our role: About us

Responsibilities

The Principal Advisor Biodiversity will set strategic priorities for marine and freshwater work at DOC, ensuring alignment with organizational goals. The role involves leading change programs, building relationships, and translating complex information into actionable advice for senior leaders and Ministers.