Senior Advisor Operational Security

New Zealand Government; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 94,000 - 127,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working arrangements across A

Travel opportunities

Job summary

Department of Conservation (DOC) is seeking an experienced Senior Advisor Operational Security to strengthen security capability across Aotearoa. You will provide trusted advice, support security risk assessments, coordinate incident response, and help build a proactive security culture within a diverse, geographically dispersed agency.

The role offers flexible working arrangements across Aotearoa, with Auckland or Wellington preferred and the ability to travel for work.

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.
• Strong analytical, written communication and reporting capability.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearance.
• Full NZ driver's 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 management

Security incident response

Stakeholder engagement

Risk assessments

Investigations

Job description

Strengthen DOC's security capability and resilience by helping protect our people, assets, information and operations across Aotearoa$93,656.00 - $126,500.00Permanent full time, Auckland or Wellington preferred - flexible work location options across AotearoaOur vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao TuroaDOC 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.Mo te turanga | About the roleSecurity 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 DOCLead and support security risk assessments, security assurance activities and verification programmesCoordinate and support security incident response, investigations and organisational learningDevelop and deliver security training, awareness programmes and improvement initiativesBuild strong relationships with internal stakeholders, government agencies and security partnersClick here for the Role DescriptionNga pukenga me nga wheako | Skills and experienceWe are keen to hear from you, if you have;Significant experience in the security, law enforcement, intelligence or risk management sectorsStrong understanding of operational, physical or protective security principlesExperience providing advice within complex or geographically dispersed organisationsKnowledge of government Protective Security Requirements (PSR), particularly physical securityExperience managing security incidents, investigations and risk mitigation activitiesExcellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skillsStrong analytical, written communication and reporting capabilityAbility to obtain and maintain a Secret-level security clearanceFull NZ drivers licence and ability to travel for work as requiredHe aha nga painga mou? | 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.Want to know more?Tonoa inaianei | Apply nowApply online with your CV and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation. We're unable to accept emailed applications or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.If you need any adjustments during the recruitment process, let us know and we'll try to accommodate.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.Please note, we are not engaging with recruitment agencies for this role.'Ra whakakapi | Applications close at 11:59 pm on Sunday, 15 November 2026. This advert may close early, so please apply promptlyMe he patai ano, whakapa mai | For further enquiries, please contact Emily Blokker, Senior Recruitment Advisor [e-mail] note, we're unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted..