Private Secretary| Ministerial Services

Discover a career with purpose at MBIE

• Higher duties allowance and 1 extra week of leave for internal candidates, and a comparable fixed term salary for external candidates.
• Fixed-term or Secondment for 18 months based in Wellington
• Do you thrive in a fast-paced and challenging role?
• Are you eager to use your superior influencing, negotiation and multi-tasking skills to make a difference at the political interface?

Tēnei tūranga - About the Role:

The Private Secretary – Ministerial Services is responsible for the delivery of effective and efficient service to the Minister, the Senior Private Secretary, other Ministerial office staff and wider Parliamentary staff as required, as well as MBIE and other Agencies for which the Minister has portfolio responsibility and their officials.

The role is an administrative, coordination role responsible for administrative support to the Minister and provides a link with MBIE, working to the portfolio private secretaries on a day-to-day basis to anticipate the Minister’s needs and act to prevent any problems arising. This includes ensuring “no surprises”. 

The Private Secretary- Ministerial Services manages the workflow between the Minister’s office and the Ministry by having oversight of Ministerial requests and directives, ensuring all relevant correspondence, written parliamentary questions and Official Information Act are efficiently managed, in consultation with key stakeholders and according to statutory obligations. You will initiate communication with MBIE staff to commission and progress the flow of work, providing clear, concise information and expectations.

You will have good understanding of the ministerial portfolios and helps to initiate and drive the flow of work.

MBIE is seeking expressions of interest for a Private Secretary- Ministerial Services position in the Commerce and Consumer Affairs portfolio and currently shared with the Small Business and Manufacturing and Grocery portfolios ( this may change over time).
Private Secretaries are the bridge between the Minister’s office and MBIE.  This means we are looking for someone who can build strong relationships with others, exercise excellent judgement and self-manage. The role will reward you with a unique experience during which you will develop invaluable communication, relationship, and judgement skills to take with you into your future career. You will be well supported along the way with a firm focus on your pastoral care and how to succeed as a Private Secretary.

Internal candidates will receive up to $10,000 per annum in higher duties allowance and an extra weeks leave at the end of the secondment term. External candidates will be offered a comparable fixed term salary. 
 
In addition, private secretary roles put you at the heart of decision making, giving you excellent insights into the working of government, a great way to build connections across the public sector and advance your career.

Ngā pukenga me ngā wheako e hiahiatia ana -

Skills and Experience Required
 

This role would suit a person who thrives in a fast-paced and challenging role, able to work autonomously, self motivated, clam, focussed and resilient under pressure, and therefore you will need to demonstrate:
›    Ability to react quickly to assess situations, synthesise information and make judgement calls to deliver at short notice. 
›    Ability to manage workflow on behalf of MBIE and the Minister with flexibility and sound judgement to respond to changing and evolving priorities and ensure deadlines are met.
›    Excellent relationship management skills and ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and influence without authority.
›    Excellent oral and written communication skills. 
›    Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated teamwork approach to ensure continuity and quality of systems and processes.
›    Willingness to take initiative and demonstrate a can-do approach.

You will be known for your ability to take initiative, identify and manage risk, and clearly communicate with others. You will have excellent relationship management skills and very sound judgement. You will be confident working with senior leaders and ministers.

What you will need to bring

This role requires the candidate to be able to gain and maintain a Confidential security clearance. This is an office and Wellington based position.  Working from home is not suitable for this position. 

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 Monica Chow at monica.chow2@mbie.govt.nz quoting ref MBIE/17434 if you have any further questions.

Applications close at 11.59pm on Monday 2 June 2025