Counsellor - Science and Innovation, US and Canada

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

•    Do you have extensive knowledge of the New Zealand science and innovation system and the New Zealand space sector? 
•    Are you confident in engaging with senior individuals across the public and private sectors and looking for a new challenge? 
•    Are you a self-starter who can understand strategic direction and deliver results independently?
•    Key opportunity to represent New Zealand in the USA and Canada to advance our interests in Space, and Science and Innovation. 
•    Location - Washington D.C., USA. Assignment length - 3 year secondment.  Salary range $132,000 - $160,000 (potential HDA)
 

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

We are looking for a senior and experienced candidate to take up a role representing New Zealand on the international stage. North America is a key partner region for our Space, and Science and Innovation systems. This is a key overseas posting responsible for making an important contribution to the internationalisation of New Zealand’s science, innovation and technology system, as well as advancing the interests of New Zealand’s space sector.  The successful candidate will do this by managing a number of relationships in the US and Canada and supporting the implementation of key projects in the Space, and Science and Innovation work programmes. 
 
As part of the International Science Partnerships Team within MBIE, the role is responsible for developing connections with senior individuals across governments, science and policy organisations, as well as businesses and other relevant organisations.
 
The role is based in the New Zealand Embassy in Washington D.C. and will be a senior member of the diplomatic staff.  Applications are sought from policy experts with senior level experience (manager or director) for this high-profile role.
To be successful in this role, you will have: 
•    The enthusiasm and drive to position New Zealand as an internationally recognised smart, innovative and collaborative nation.
•    A strong understanding of the New Zealand Science & Innovation, and Space sectors.
•    Highly tuned strategic ‘eyes and ears’ to identify, progress and shape the best value international connections for New Zealand.
•    Strong interpersonal, networking and presentation skills, including the ability to confident and effectively represent New Zealand via speeches, on panels and at high-profile events.
•    The ability to develop and maintain senior and operational relationships that give access for New Zealand to influential individuals and networks, including for Ministers and senior officials when they travel to your regions.
•    Strong organisational skills – you will need to be good at multi-tasking and juggling several priorities at any one time. 
•    In-depth knowledge of government processes and policy development, alongside experience working internationally. 
 This is a demanding role which requires the successful candidate to be adaptable and flexible. You will need to be willing to undertake a moderate to high amount of travel across North America during the term of the position and have flexibility in your hours of work to accommodate working across multiple time zones.
Overseas transfer and living allowances are provided for. The position is full-time and will be offered for three years, with the possibility to extend by one year. If the successful candidate is appointed from within MBIE, upon completion of their term, the candidate will return to their substantive position or an equivalent role within the Ministry. 
 

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

•    Adept at creating and maintaining strong senior relationships and networks with a range of stakeholders and organisations, including Government, academia, businesses, and not-for-profits.
•    Confident talking with and presenting to senior individuals, stakeholders and public audiences.
•    Proven ability to turn relationships into results efficiently, in line with strategic direction and independently. This involves being able to deliver work often within short deadlines.
•    Experience working internationally and/or with international partners, and able to demonstrate a thorough understanding of diplomacy.
•    Strong understanding of, and significant experience working in, the New Zealand Science, Innovation and Technology, and Space sectors. 
Additional criteria 
•    Must be a New Zealand citizen as this is a diplomatic posting.
•    Be able to gain and maintain a Top Secret Security Clearance.
•    Must be able to gain and maintain the appropriate VISA.
•    If you are interested in the role, you are encouraged to explore any possible New Zealand tax implications, including whether the Government Service Rule applies to you.

Ētahi kōrero mō MBIE - About MBIE:

MBIE's goal is to create a resilient and high-performing economy that delivers real and ongoing quality of life for all New Zealanders.

We do this by working with others to create an environment that supports businesses to be more productive and internationally competitive, enables all New Zealanders to participate in the economy through improved job opportunities and by working to ensure quality housing is more affordable.

People are at the heart of our mahi, our way of working is guided by our values which shape our behaviours.

• Mahi Tahi – Better Together
• Māia – Bold and brave
• Pae Kahurangi – Build our Future
• Pono Me Te Tika – Own It

Our aspirations are echoed in our Māori identity – Hīkina Whakatutuki – which broadly means ‘lifting to make successful'.

MBIE recognises the partnership founded under Te Tiriti o Waitangi between Māori and the Crown and is committed to giving effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We will do this through enduring, meaningful and effective partnerships with iwi, Māori, other Māori groups/organisations and the Crown, as this is critical to enable economic and social development, both for Māori and for wider Aotearoa New Zealand. We are committed to continuing to partner with iwi in order to find new sustainable solutions to address long standing systemic and cross-cutting issues facing Māori and wider Aotearoa New Zealand and we are also committed to identifying opportunities for iwi to lead and creating an enabling environment for iwi to leverage these opportunities.

E mōhio ana a Hīkina Whakatutuki i puea ake te kōtuinga I waenganui i a ngāi Māori me te Karauna i Te Tiriti o Waitangi, ā, kei te whai ia ki te whakaū ake i Te Tiriti o Waitangi. Mā te whai kiko o ngā kōtuinga ahungaroa o ngāi wi, o ngāi Māori, me ētahi atu rōpū Māori ki te Karauna, katutuki tēnei. He āhuatanga nui tēnei e āhei ai ngā mahi whanaketanga ā-ohanga, ā-pāpori hoki ki a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui. E whai tonu ana mātou ki te kōtui atu ki ngā iwi mō te rapu huarahi hou ki te whakaara i ngā kaupapakua roa nei e tāmi ana i a ngāi Māori me Aotearoa whānui, ā, e whai ana hoki ki te tautohu i ngā āheinga kōkiritanga mā ngā iwi, me te tautoko i ngā iwi kia whai mana ake ai ēnei āheinga.

Me pēhea te tono - How to Apply:

Click here to view a position description. All applications must be submitted via our online process and include a Cover Letter and CV outlining your interest and suitability for the role. 

Email Matt Guy at matt.guy@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/15946 if you have any further questions.

Applications close on 2 March 2025