Principal Advisor RS&A Programme Management

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

An exciting opportunity to join NZ Customs as a Principal Advisor Risk, Security & Assurance Programme Management is now available. This role is a full-time opportunity, based in our Wellington Customhouse.

The role of Principal Advisor, Risk, Security and Assurance (RS&A) Programme Management is a diverse and busy role that provides our senior leadership team and the Assurance and Risk Committee (ARC) independent advice on Customs' risk management in the business. 

In this role, you will ensure the effectiveness of Risk, Security and Assurance run programmes, including random drug and alcohol testing, risk management, declarations of interest, and business continuity through the collaborative design and ongoing development of frameworks, strategies, and policies that reflect good practise and are usable in the business. As a leader within RS&A you will ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to the planning and delivery of RS&A engagements and services.

To be successful as Principal Advisor RS&A Programme Management, the appointee requires the following knowledge, experience, skills, qualifications and personal attributes:

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Top-Secret security clearance.
• Explains complex or detailed technical matters to others in a manner appropriate to achieve audience understanding.
• Big-picture, strategic thinker who can see linkages between different streams of work.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills including sound judgment and decision-making skills in areas of complexity and ambiguity.
• Proven ability to develop trust and credibility with managers and staff.
• Self-motivated, self-managing, self-aware and driven to improve own capability.
• Displays the enthusiasm, tenacity, and resilience to deliver sustainable high performance and achieve results.
• A positive outlook, sense of responsibility, and high energy levels to contribute proactively to the team, working effectively with colleagues to achieve quality results.
• Builds, maintains, and leverages relationships with key internal and external contacts to deliver excellent client service.
• Very strong written and verbal skills including experience with providing advice to assurance and risk committees and to senior management.
• Strong planning and organising skills.
• Demonstrates experience of applying risk and controls theory to practice, and in the application of practical techniques and methodologies relating to risk management, business continuity and assurance in the workplace.
• Good understanding of tikanga and Treaty of Waitangi principles.
• Good understanding of the machinery of Government and Government decision-making processes, including the Public Finance Act and the Public Service Act.

Working at Customs | Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa

We aim to create a great place to work, where our people have a sense of belonging and the capability and desire to meet our future challenges.  We are an organisation that is clear about our mission, and this is underpinned by Te Pou Tokomanawa (the Foundations) and our Whanonga Pono (Values). Our work really matters to the safety and success of New Zealand.

How to apply | Me pehea te whakauru

To join Customs in any role you must be a New Zealand citizen or NZ permanent resident. *

* This means:

• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided continuously in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in NZ at time of application; OR
• a New Zealand Citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident who has resided in New Zealand for the last 10 years and resides in NZ at the time of application. You may have been absent from New Zealand for periods of six or more months within the past five years, preferably in one or more of the following countries: either Australia, Canada, UK or the USA. You will be required to provide overseas police certificates for these periods spent outside of New Zealand.

You must have a history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service towards a recommendation of suitability for security clearance at a Top-Secret level. Due to the nature of Customs work, you must have a clear Police record.

The successful applicant will also be required to pass a drug test, and in this role will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

To apply, please submit an up-to-date CV and cover letter, via our online process. We do not accept applications sent direct to an email address.

If you have any specific questions about the role, please contact Janine Foster (Director Risk, Security and Assurance) at janine.foster@customs.govt.nz (021-706 055) or Suzanne Leahy (Senior Recruitment Advisor) at Suzanne.Leahy@customs.govt.nz.

Please note Customs will be managing this recruitment independently in-house and will not be engaging with recruitment agencies at this stage.

Applications close at 11pm, 3 March 2025. 

Interviews are expected to take place the week of the 17 March.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role. We also offer flexible working arrangements.