HUMINT Team Managers

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) in Wellington as a HUMINT Team Manager, leading a team to deliver critical human intelligence across national security missions. You will drive professional excellence, mentor staff, and coordinate with a network of intelligence partners to ensure timely, accurate outputs while upholding the highest security standards.

The role requires extensive intelligence experience, strong leadership, and proven ability to manage operational risk in

Qualifications

• Extensive intelligence experience post-qualification in national security operations; experience in intelligence collection, ideally as a Case Officer.
• Demonstrated planning experience and provision of operational risk management and guidance.
• Demonstrated judgement and initiative in dynamic situations.
• Proven leadership ability and/or experience in leading a team.
• Proven experience in building and maintaining positive and productive work relationships.
• Ideally 6+ years experience as an intelligence professional.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team to deliver otherwise inaccessible human intelligence in support of NZSIS missions.
• Provide operational risk management guidance and oversight.
• Collaborate with domestic and foreign intelligence counterparts to ensure timely, accurate intelligence.
• Develop staff to progress and excel, fostering professional excellence and resilience.
• Oversee planning and execution of intelligence collection operations.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to security requirements throughout recruitment and onboarding.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Operational risk management

Intelligence experience

Job description

Join our diverse and talented people and work at the heart of national security, providing essential intelligence to the NZ government to protect New Zealand and its people. At the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) | Te Pā Whakamarumaru, we are dedicated to our mission of keeping Aotearoa New Zealand and our people safe and secure. We collect, analyse and assess intelligence to protect New Zealand from threats such as foreign interference, espionage and terrorism. We have opportunities in the leadership space as HUMINT Team Managers, to lead and manage team activities to ensure the secure, efficient delivery of human intelligence collection operations in support of NZSIS’s Counter‑Terrorism or State Intelligence missions. We deliver exceptional human intelligence through collaboration, innovation and courageous action.

Mō te tūranga mahi – About the role

We are looking for a talented team leader with experience in managing complex operations and operational risk. As a HUMINT Team Manager, you will work at the heart of national security – leading a team to deliver otherwise inaccessible human intelligence that is timely, accurate and responsive to the requirements of our intelligence missions. You will lead a team of specialists, fostering a culture of professional excellence and resilience, developing your staff to progress and excel. From the front lines of Counter‑Terrorism to the intricacies of State Intelligence, you will spend your days collaborating with a network of domestic and foreign intelligence counterparts, ensuring New Zealand remains safe and secure.

Responsibilities

• extensive professional intelligence experience post qualification including in a National-level security intelligence operational area and experience working in an intelligence collection role, ideally as a Case Officer
• Demonstrated planning experience and provision of operational risk management and guidance
• Demonstrated judgement and initiative in dynamic situations
• Proven leadership ability and/or experience in leading a team
• Proven experience in building and maintaining positive and productive work relationships
• Ideally 6+ years experience as an intelligence professional

To facilitate an onboarding date prior to the end of the year, we are prioritizing candidates who already hold a NZ security clearance.

We are open to secondment opportunities of 18-24 months for candidates with the right skills match. Secondments will be subject to approval from the candidate’s employer.

Please note that applicants should be prepared to start in the role before the end of 2026.

Ko wai koe – About you

While a background in intelligence will be a distinct advantage, we value your ability to lead people and manage risk in complex, unpredictable environments. You will be able to partner with HUMINT experts to deliver impactful human intelligence operations. You possess a curious mind and a strategic interest in the forces shaping our national security. You are driven by a profound commitment to New Zealand's safety and security.

Before you apply

Working within our unique environment means we have to ensure you're eligible for employment. You must:

• Have been a New Zealand Citizen for at least 10 years
• Hold a current NZ Residency Class Visa and ideally have been a citizen of the UK, USA, Canada or Australia for at least 10 years
• Be eligible to obtain a Top Secret Special (TSS) security clearance

Ordinarily, this means you'll have a 15 year checkable background in countries NZSIS Vetting can make meaningful and reliable checks. Still unsure? Use this online tool to self-check your eligibility for a TSS security clearance: http://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/eligibility-tool

The NZIC treats all applications for employment in the strictest confidence and we expect that you maintain a similar level of confidentiality during the recruitment process and throughout your career.

We'll provide you with information and tips throughout the recruitment process, but in the meantime check out some of our Security FAQs here The security clearance process | Beyond Ordinary Careers You can also learn more about our work and understand our areas of focus by reading New Zealand's Security Threat Environment | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service