Senior Programme Adviser

at  NZ Ministry for Primary Industries

Job Title: Senior Programme Adviser
Role type: Fixed Term, full-time until December 2026
Location: Wellington City
General Salary Range D: $98,955 to $132,427 depending on skills and experience.
(Salary midpoint for this position is $115,691 per annum)

KŌRERO MŌ TE TŪRANGA - ABOUT THE ROLE

We are seeking a Senior Programme Adviser for a 2-year fixed term contract to support our Programmes and Planning directorate which sits within Policy & Trade business unit. This directorate leads work on branch organisational strategy, programme management, regulatory stewardship, and capability.
Within the Directorate, the Green House Gas (GHG) Programme Hub is home to three high profile programmes: Accelerating New Mitigations (ANM), Agricultural Emissions Programme (AEP) and Global Climate Partnerships (GCP). This role will support the success of the GHG Programme Hub through providing portfolio level management of the projects and programmes in the Hub.
The Senior Programme Adviser is not expected to undertake end-to-end project or programme management responsibilities but is expected to work closely with Hub teams during the scoping phase of new work to get projects on the right track early, and to partner through the course of the project to monitor performance and provide assistance where needed.

As part of this role, you will:

• Provide tailored advice and support throughout the project lifecycle, identifying fit-for-purpose practices that facilitate effective delivery to achieve the business benefits.
• Build and maintain effective “Trusted Adviser” relationships with a wide range of people, including directors, managers, project managers, and external agencies.
• Maintain effective work practices, systems, and productivity to meet the needs of the changing environment by keeping up to date with project management SMART practices and technical competencies relevant to the role.
• Identify common areas of emerging interest across stakeholders and proactively developing opportunities for collaboration.
• Identify project/ programme management coaching/mentoring/training needs.

To be successful in this role, you will be able to demonstrate:

• Prince2 or PMP certification or equivalent.
• Either a Programme Management qualification OR Management of Portfolios qualification.
• Either proven experience in developing and delivering medium to large scale initiatives to build project / programme capability OR a programme/portfolio management qualification and programme/portfolio management experience.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and credibility with senior management and a wide range of project stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority at all levels of the organisation.
• Knowledge and understanding of strategic and operational planning processes in a large service delivery organisation.
• Advanced communication skills, both oral and written, including the ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse individuals, groups, and interests.
• Previous experience in establishing and effectively maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders, Māori and Government agencies.
• High degree of initiative and perseverance to follow through an issue to successful completion or resolution