Senior Technical Advisor | Kaitohu Mātanga Matua

Department of Conservation - Te Papa Atawhai; Wellington; Hybrid; NZD 94,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand is seeking a Senior Technical Advisor to shape biodiversity investment and prioritisation. You will work at the interface of science, strategy, and delivery, guiding BioInvest enhancements and translating complex data into clear decisions for action.

You will lead threats-led programmes, collaborate with Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitors, and help staff across DOC interpret investments for on-the-ground conservation outcomes, with a flexible

Qualifications

• Degree in biological science or related field.
• Strong strategic and systems thinking skills, with ability to navigate ambiguity and improve decision-making.
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex concepts for diverse audiences.
• Experience providing strategic and technical advice informing planning, prioritisation, investment or delivery decisions.
• Proven facilitation skills for workshops and collaborative processes delivering clear decisions.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills across organisational boundaries.
• Knowledge of or ability to quickly develop expertise in conservation prioritisation in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and Te Tiriti o Waitangi in work.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical advice on design, use, and improvement of the BioInvest system.
• Group lead for threats-led programmes within BioInvest.
• Collaborate with BHV and Ops on threat-led advice, research and delivery work.
• Lead integration of threat-led work into BioInvest and embed changes across DOC.
• Work with technical experts to troubleshoot issues and support end-to-end BioInvest processes.
• Promote consistent use of BioInvest across DOC through support and collaboration.
• Analyse biodiversity and prioritisation data and translate findings into policy and delivery implications.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Systems thinking

Communication skills

Facilitation

Relationship management

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Biological science degree

Tools

BioInvest system

Job description

Play a key role in shaping how DOC prioritises and invests in biodiversity work.

Salary range: $93,656–$118,510 based on skills and experience.

Permanent, full-time role with flexible location.

Our vision: Nature is thriving in Aotearoa | Te Oranga o te Ao Tūroa Mō te tūranga.

About the role

We are seeking a Senior Technical Advisor to play a key role in shaping how DOC prioritises and invests in biodiversity work. Working at the intersection of biodiversity science, conservation investment, operational delivery and strategic planning, you will help ensure resources are directed towards the actions that achieve the greatest outcomes for nature. A significant focus of the role is supporting the ongoing development and use of BioInvest, DOC's biodiversity investment and prioritisation system, while working closely with Biodiversity, Heritage and Visitors (BHV) and Operations teams to support informed and transparent decision‑making. This role is ideally suited to someone who enjoys working at a systems level, building connections across organisational boundaries and solving complex challenges. You will be comfortable facilitating collaborative processes, bringing together diverse viewpoints, and helping teams work through ambiguity to reach clear decisions and practical outcomes. A background in threat‑led biodiversity work would be an advantage, but not mandatory. Success in this role requires strong strategic and systems thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to build trusted relationships across DOC. You will be skilled at translating complex technical, operational and investment information into clear messages, and helping others understand how decisions are made and what they mean for delivery on the ground.

Key responsibilities

• Providing strategic and technical advice on the design, use, and ongoing improvement of the BioInvest system
• Group lead for threats‑led programmes within BioInvest
• Collaborating with colleagues in BHV and Ops that work on threat‑led advice, research and delivery work
• Leading the integration of threat‑led work into BioInvest and supporting embedding this change across relevant teams at DOC
• Working with technical experts to troubleshoot issues and support the end‑to‑end BioInvest process
• Contributing to consistent use of BioInvest across DOC through support, and collaboration
• Analysing biodiversity and prioritisation data and translating findings into practical implications for policy, decision‑makers, and delivery teams

This is a permanent, full‑time role with a flexible location for the right candidate.

Skills and experience

• A graduate or post‑graduate qualification in biological science or a related field.
• Strong strategic and systems thinking skills, including the ability to navigate ambiguity, identify connections across complex issues, and improve organisational decision‑making, planning and prioritisation approaches.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex concepts, systems and information for a range of audiences.
• Experience providing strategic and technical advice that informs planning, prioritisation, investment or operational delivery decisions.
• Proven facilitation skills, including experience leading workshops, complex discussions and collaborative processes that deliver clear decisions, outcomes and shared understanding.
• Strong relationship management and influencing skills, with the ability to build trust, work effectively across organisational boundaries, and engage constructively with diverse stakeholders.
• A sound understanding of how conservation work is prioritised, planned and delivered in Aotearoa NewZealand.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly develop expertise in, invasion ecology, weed and pest management, and NewZealand's biosecurity system.
• Understanding or willingness to learn Māori tikanga and understanding of TeTiriti o Waitangi and how it relates to your work.
• Work in genuine partnership with Māori and act as an honourable treaty partner.
• Being a genuine Treaty partner means: Putting Treaty relationships first in the way we work.
• Showing respect in every partnership.
• Growing our Treaty knowledge and TeAoMāori capability.

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.

Salary: $93,656–$118,510, depending on skills and experience.

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

Applications close at 11:59 pm on Friday, 20 November 2026.

Me he pātai anō | For further enquiries about this role, contact Laura McCartney at [e-mail]. Please note, we’re unable to accept applications via email or provide feedback to applicants not shortlisted.

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.