Senior System Support/Comsec Advisor

New Zealand Government; Auckland; On-site; NZD 87,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior System Support/COMSEC Advisor role at New Zealand Government places you at the heart of protecting New Zealand’s critical communications infrastructure. You will own the full lifecycle of security material, from managing keys and policies to ensuring custodianship across the NZIC, while acting as the definitive escalation point for partners.

You will mentor the next generation of specialists, monitor networks for anomalies, validate equipment, and drive proactive security governance

Qualifications

• 5+ years in IT support or service delivery (Windows/UNIX environments).
• Ability to operate and maintain LAN and WAN infrastructures.
• Solid grasp of cryptographic principles, equipment and procedures (COMSEC).
• Hands-on ITIL-based service management (incident, change, problem).
• Formal messaging principles, systems and applications are desirable.

Responsibilities

• Own the full lifecycle of security material (keys, policies, custodianship) across the NZIC.
• Be the escalation point for partners, providing decisive support to keep operations running.
• Lead technical initiatives and mentoring for the next generation of specialists.
• Monitor networks for anomalies and validate critical equipment to ensure security posture.
• Foster collaboration and proactive vigilance within a fast-paced, high-performing team.

Skills

IT support experience

Network management

COMSEC knowledge

Service mindset

Messaging expertise

Tools

Windows

UNIX

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.

Mō te tūranga mahi – about the role

Step into a role where your skills directly impact national security. As a Senior System Support/COMSEC Advisor, you will be at the forefront of safeguarding the cryptographic assets that keep GCSB and NZSIS running 24/7. You’ll join a fast-paced, high-performing team that balances a drive for excellence with a genuine commitment to collaboration and teamwork. In this role, you will own the full lifecycle of our security material, from managing keys and policies to ensuring flawless custodianship across the NZIC. You will be the definitive escalation point for our partners, providing the decisive support that ensures our operations never miss a beat. Your day-to-day will blend technical leadership with proactive vigilance. Whether you're monitoring the GCSB wide‑area network to resolve anomalies, validating critical equipment, or mentoring the next generation of specialists, your work ensures our collective defence remains seamless and secure.

Ko wai koe – about you

We are looking for someone who loves the challenge of staying one step ahead. You likely possess a blend of technical precision and strategic foresight, with a knack for spotting network irregularities and turning complex security challenges into clear, actionable guidance. You enjoy an environment where the work truly matters and where precision is valued. With a proactive, "can-do" mindset and a commitment to excellence, you’re ready to take ownership of New Zealand’s most critical communications infrastructure.

What you will bring to the team:

• Experience: 5+ years in IT support or service delivery (Windows/UNIX environments).
• Network Skills: A proven ability to operate and maintain LAN and WAN infrastructures.
• COMSEC Knowledge: A solid grasp of cryptographic principles, equipment, and procedures.
• Service Mindset: Hands‑on experience with ITIL‑based service management (incident, change, and problem management).
• Formal messaging expertise (principles, systems, and applications) is highly desirable.

The expected appointing range for this position is between $87,048 - $92,851 per annum.

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 OR 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, AND
• 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 our tips on applying and the security clearance process here. 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.