Senior Information Security Advisor

Ministry For Primary Industries; Wellington; On-site; NZD 114,000 - 153,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Additional MPI leave days

Annual Wellness payment

Bi-annual paid eye test and lenses/frr

Job summary

The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking two Senior Information Security Advisers in Wellington to strengthen our Security & Privacy directorate. You will lead certification and risk activities, advise on threats, and support cloud initiatives while mentoring colleagues and promoting a security-first culture.

You will collaborate with the ITSM and CISO to evolve assurance processes, monitor threats, and contribute to incident response across MPI.

Qualifications

• Has experience providing information security advice, assurance, risk assessment, or certification services.
• Can clearly communicate complex security concepts and risks to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Builds strong, credible relationships and is comfortable influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates empathy and sound judgement when supporting people through security challenges, incidents, and organisational change.
• Has the confidence to facilitate discussions, challenge thinking constructively, and guide groups towards effective outcomes.
• Thrives in an environment where priorities can shift and ambiguity exists.
• Ideally holds a recognised information security certification (such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA), although this is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Leading certification activities as part of MPI's Certification and Accreditation (C&A) process.
• Advising on risk and threat profiles, and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Supporting cloud migration and secure-by-design initiatives.
• Monitoring global and local security threats and advising on their impact.
• Promoting security awareness and education across the organisation.
• Supporting the wider InfoSec team, Service Desk, and Security Operations Centre.

Skills

InfoSec advice

Risk assessment

Certification services

Communication

Stakeholder influence

Incident support

Job description

Job Description

Senior Information Security Adviser x2

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location: Wellington City

Salary Range BTIS – D: $114,222 - $153,022 depending on skills and experience

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga

We're looking for two Senior Information Security Advisers to join our growing information security team within the Security & Privacy directorate at MPI. This is a unique opportunity to work across a wide range of projects and technologies, including cloud platforms, as we modernise and strengthen our digital environment.

You'll lead security risk assessments and certification and accreditation activities for both new initiatives and existing systems. These projects span across the Ministry, offering you the chance to contribute to the protection of New Zealand's people, environment, and the economy.

You'll collaborate with the ITSM and CISO to evolve our certification and assurance processes, ensuring they remain fit-for-purpose in a rapidly changing threat landscape. You'll also support and mentor other advisers and analysts, contribute to incident response, and help foster a strong security culture across MPI.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading certification activities as part of MPI's Certification and Accreditation (C&A) process.
• Advising on risk and threat profiles, and recommending mitigation strategies.
• Supporting cloud migration and secure-by-design initiatives.
• Monitoring global and local security threats and advising on their impact.
• Promoting security awareness and education across the organisation.
• Supporting the wider InfoSec team, Service Desk, and Security Operations Centre.

About You - Mōu

You're an experienced information security professional who understands that successful security is as much about people as it is about technology. You bring strong technical expertise, but your real strength lies in your ability to build trust, communicate clearly, and influence positive security outcomes across diverse stakeholder groups.

You are comfortable engaging with everyone from technical specialists and project teams through to business leaders and end users. Whether you're explaining a complex security risk, supporting someone through a security incident, or facilitating a risk assessment workshop, you have a talent for making technical concepts understandable and relevant to your audience.

You approach challenges with curiosity, pragmatism, and empathy. You understand that security advice is most effective when it balances organisational objectives with risk management requirements, and you can confidently guide stakeholders towards practical solutions.

We're looking for someone who:

• Has experience providing information security advice, assurance, risk assessment, or certification services.
• Can clearly communicate complex security concepts and risks to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Builds strong, credible relationships and is comfortable influencing stakeholders at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrates empathy and sound judgement when supporting people through security challenges, incidents, and organisational change.
• Has the confidence to facilitate discussions, challenge thinking constructively, and guide groups towards effective outcomes.
• Thrives in an environment where priorities can shift and ambiguity exists.
• Ideally holds a recognised information security certification (such as CISSP, CISM, or CISA), although this is not essential

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

Our InfoSec team sits within the Security and Privacy directorate. We provide assurance and advisory services across MPI and our suppliers. We're a growing, collaborative, supportive team committed to helping our people stay safe and secure in everything they do.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua

At MPI, we're passionate about growing prosperity in the primary industries while upholding our role as kaitiaki—guardians of New Zealand's natural resources.

Benefits of working at MPI - Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua

• Additional MPI leave days
• Annual Wellness payment
• Bi-annual paid eye test and contribution to corrective lenses/frames

Security checks - Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru

• 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 SECRET or 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.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

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.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you and your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.