Senior Advisor Operational Security

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation, Te Papa Atawhai (DOC), seeks a Senior Advisor Operational Security to strengthen security across Aotearoa. You will provide trusted guidance, build capability, and collaborate with leaders, operations and agencies to manage risks and incidents while fostering a proactive security culture.

Based in New Zealand with flexible work options, the role focuses on shaping strategy and practical security implementation across a diverse organisation.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the security, law enforcement, intelligence or risk management sectors.
• Strong understanding of operational, physical or protective security principles.
• Experience providing advice within complex or geographically dispersed organisations.
• Knowledge of government Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly physical security.
• Experience managing security incidents, investigations and risk mitigation activities.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.
• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational security advice, support and capability-building across DOC
• Lead and support security risk assessments, security assurance activities and verification programmes
• Coordinate and support security incident response, investigations and organisational learning
• Develop and deliver security training, awareness programmes and improvement initiatives
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government agencies and security partners

Skills

Security risk assessment

Security incident response

Stakeholder management

PSR knowledge

Secret clearance

NZ Driver's license

Job description

Senior Advisor Operational Security Strengthen DOC's security capability and resilience by helping protect our people, assets, information and operations across Aotearoa $93,656.00 - $126,500.00 Permanent full time, Auckland or Wellington preferred – flexible work location options across Aotearoa

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa DOC is strengthening its Health, Safety and Security function to better support our people, manage critical risks, and build organisational resilience with a risk-informed and people-centred approach that focuses on learning, prevention, system stewardship, and partnership.

These roles offer a unique opportunity to help shape how DOC supports its people, safeguards its operations, and delivers conservation outcomes across Aotearoa.

Mō te tūranga | About the role

Security risks continue to evolve, and so does DOC's approach to managing them. We're looking for an experienced Senior Advisor Operational Security to provide trusted advice and specialist support across a geographically diverse organisation with a wide range of operational activities. You'll work closely with leaders, operational teams and external agencies to identify and manage security risks, support incident response and investigations, undertake assurance activities, and help strengthen security capability across the organisation. This role offers the opportunity to influence both strategic direction and operational practice while helping build a proactive security culture across DOC.

The position will be focussed on:

• Provide operational security advice, support and capability-building across DOC
• Lead and support security risk assessments, security assurance activities and verification programmes
• Coordinate and support security incident response, investigations and organisational learning
• Develop and deliver security training, awareness programmes and improvement initiatives
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government agencies and security partners

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

• Significant experience in the security, law enforcement, intelligence or risk management sectors
• Strong understanding of operational, physical or protective security principles
• Experience providing advice within complex or geographically dispersed organisations
• Knowledge of government Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly physical security
• Experience managing security incidents, investigations and risk mitigation activities
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Strong analytical, written communication and reporting capability
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance
• Full NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as required

He aha ngā pāinga mōu? | What’s in it for you?

DOC is committed to a culture where everyone can participate, thrive, and grow. We’re driven by our values and behaviours, and are working towards being an organisation that is diverse, equitable, and inclusive by default. We also support flexible working arrangements for our kaimahi across Aotearoa, with options considered based on the role and in discussion with your leader.

Rā whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptly

Me he pātai anō, whakapā mai | For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail]

Salary: $93,656.00 - $126,500.00, depending on skills and experience., depending on skills and experience.

Eligibility: You must hold a valid NZ work visa that covers the duration of employment.

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. Our people bring this vision to life. Spread across Aotearoa, they care for our land, water, and native species. From frontline rangers and technical experts to vital support teams - we have a diverse range of roles.

Read more about DOC