Senior Compliance Adviser International Fisheries

New Zealand Government; Wellington; On-site; NZD 103,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

New Zealand Government is seeking a Senior Compliance Advisor for International Fisheries based in Wellington. The role focuses on safeguarding fisheries through international compliance, MCS, and cross‑agency collaboration.

You will provide specialist advice, engage with regional and international partners, and support NZ's obligations under international fisheries agreements. The team covers high seas activities and Pacific partners, offering a dynamic and impactful environment.

Qualifications

• Experience providing high‑quality advice in compliance, regulatory, intelligence, enforcement, investigations, or risk contexts.
• Strong judgement and decision making in dynamic environments with incomplete information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with senior stakeholders.
• Strong relationship management across agencies, organisations, cultures, and jurisdictions.
• Experience interpreting legislation, policy, compliance frameworks, or regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist advice on international fisheries compliance, conservation measures, and monitoring & enforcement frameworks.
• Represent New Zealand in regional and international compliance forums and working groups.
• Build and maintain relationships with domestic and international partners across agencies and partners.
• Collaborate with policy, operational, investigative, intelligence, and legal teams to support compliant outcomes.
• Work with foreign governments and international partners to address non-compliance and monitor investigations.
• Support obligations under international fisheries agreements and regional MCS organisations.
• Monitor foreign fishing vessel activity within NZ EEZ and high seas areas.
• Develop maritime domain awareness through analysis of compliance information and monitoring data.
• Contribute to decision-making with timely, evidence-based advice and recommendations.
• Develop and improve fisheries compliance systems, tools, and monitoring approaches.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

International fisheries

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder engagement

Policy interpretation

Education

Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent experience

Job description

Senior Compliance Advisor International Fisheries Role type: Permanent, full-time Location: Wellington Salary band & range: General Salary Range D – $102,953 to $120,365 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

As a Senior Compliance Advisor International Fisheries, you'll help safeguard some of the world's most valuable fisheries by supporting New Zealand's international fisheries compliance efforts. Working across the Pacific and Southern Oceans, you'll provide specialist compliance advice, develop maritime domain awareness, and help ensure fishing activities are conducted in accordance with international conservation and management measures. This is a rare opportunity to work at the intersection of compliance, intelligence, operations, policy, and international engagement, contributing directly to New Zealand's reputation as a trusted and effective advisor in sustainable fisheries management. The role combines strategic and operational analysis, compliance monitoring, maritime domain awareness, and international engagement. You'll work closely with fisheries compliance teams, intelligence partners, government agencies, and international stakeholders to understand fishing activity, assess compliance risks, and respond to suspected illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The team leads New Zealand's monitoring, control and surveillance (MCS) efforts for high seas fishing and foreign fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters, and supports Pacific partners to strengthen regional fisheries compliance outcomes.

• Provide specialist advice on international fisheries compliance, conservation measures, and monitoring & enforcement frameworks.
• Represent New Zealand in regional and international compliance forums, working groups, and operational initiatives.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with domestic and international partners, including across New Zealand agencies, regional organisations, and Pacific partners.
• Collaborate with policy, operational, investigative, intelligence, and legal teams to support effective compliance outcomes.
• Work with foreign governments, vessel flag states, and international partners to address suspected non-compliance and monitor investigation outcomes.
• Support New Zealand's compliance obligations under international fisheries agreements and regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs).
• Monitor and assess foreign fishing vessel activity within New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and adjacent high seas areas.
• Develop maritime domain awareness through the analysis of compliance information, intelligence vessel monitoring data, and other information sources.
• Contribute to operational and strategic decision-making through timely, evidence-based advice and recommendations.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of fisheries compliance systems, tools, and monitoring approaches.

About You – Mōu

You're a capable senior advisor who enjoys tackling complex problems, working across organisational boundaries, and turning information into practical advice. You may come from a compliance, intelligence, regulatory, enforcement, investigations, policy, maritime, or operational background and be looking for an opportunity to apply your skills in a unique international context.

To be successful in this role, you'll have:

• Experience providing high-quality advice in a compliance, regulatory, intelligence, enforcement, investigations, or risk environment.
• Sound judgement and the ability to make decisions in dynamic environments with incomplete information.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Strong relationship management skills and the ability to work effectively across agencies, organisations, cultures, and jurisdictions.
• Experience interpreting and applying legislation, policy, compliance frameworks, or regulatory requirements.
• Experience contributing to projects, initiatives, or operational activities involving multiple stakeholders.
• An interest in international affairs, maritime issues, compliance, intelligence, or fisheries management.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to assess complex information and identify practical solutions.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications or equivalent professional experience in a related field.

Just as important as your technical expertise is your ability to collaborate and influence others. You'll be comfortable working across organisational boundaries, building credibility with a wide range of partners, and representing New Zealand's interests in domestic and international forums. Curious, adaptable, and solutions-focused, you'll enjoy working as part of a small, highly specialised team that values initiative, professional judgement, and a shared commitment to protecting the sustainability of fisheries resources.

You must have a current full New Zealand driver licence (not temporary, learner, or restricted). This role requires periodic domestic and international travel, to support operational, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and international representation responsibilities.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

The International Fisheries Compliance team sits within Fisheries Compliance Monitoring & Intelligence and delivers specialist advice, monitoring, and compliance oversight across New Zealand's international fisheries interests. The team supports compliance activities across multiple Regional Fisheries Management Organisations, develops maritime domain awareness of fishing fleet activity, and contributes to regional efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. Working alongside intelligence analysts, compliance specialists, operational teams, policy advisors, and international partners, you'll help deliver outcomes that support sustainable fisheries and strengthen New Zealand's influence internationally.

Security checks – Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

This role requires a New Zealand national security clearance. To be considered for this role, you must meet the eligibility criteria set out below.

• TOP SECRET national security clearance
• You must be a New Zealand citizen, or hold a New Zealand residence‑class visa (including permanent residence).
• You must have a minimum ten (10)‑year background history that can be verified and assessed by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) to determine your suitability for a TOP SECRET national security clearance (as applicable).

Find out more about the national security vetting process here and access the eligibility self‑check tool here.

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred candidates(s) for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori. We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

Applications close at 11:59pm on Sunday, 8 November. If you have any questions about the role, please email [e-mail]