Predator Free New Zealand is an ambitious, yet achievable, target. Success will depend on new knowledge, tools, and techniques being developed along the way – and this is where ZIP comes in.  

At ZIP, our mission is to protect native taonga and restore te taiao (nature) by removing invasive predators across mainland Aotearoa. Zero Invasive Predators Ltd (ZIP) is a not-for-profit organisation established in 2015 by the NEXT Foundation and the Department of Conservation. ZIP is working to adapt and refine our elimination approaches to completely remove predators within the context of three landscape scale projects; Predator Free South Westland project, Te Manahuna Aoraki Project and Predator Free Rakiura. Outside of these field sites, we also have a Predator Behaviour Facility based at Lincoln University in Christchurch, and an office in Wellington.

The Personal Assistant role

The purpose of this role is to provide professional administrative and logistical support to ZIPs Senior Leadership, Field, Office and Laboratory based teams. If performed well, this role would increase the efficiency, capacity and capability of the wider ZIP team.

Location  Christchurch

Key Requirements

Excellent skills in:

  • Communicating through listening, speaking and writing (including emails on behalf of the Director) in a friendly, clear and timely manner

  • Assessing the importance and urgency of correspondence

  • Planning, scheduling and organising emails, events and travel

  • Maintaining core reference documents

  • The use of software including Gmail, Word, Excel, Dropbox, Adobe, and video conferencing platforms

  • Professional phone and email communication

  • Time management and prioritisation of systems and experiences

Personal qualities that include:

  • Ability to foster effective working relationships, both internally and externally, including with other personal/executive assistants

  • A high level of attention to detail

  • Remaining unflappable upon receipt of sensitive information

  • Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

  • Comfortability with having to make frequent changes/revisions to travel and other plans, often at short notice

  • Willing to sometimes support the Leadership Team outside of normal office hours

  • Occasionally travel to other sites (e.g. Wellington, Twizel and South Westland) for periods of up to a few days, in order to connect with other ZIP team members and colleagues

  • Experience as a PA to a Manager would be ideal but not essential

  • A can-do, get it done attitude!

    All applicants must be eligible to work in New Zealand.

CONTRACT: Permanent, full-time

SALARY BAND: $65,000 - $75,000

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 6 January or when a suitable candidate is found

APPLY:  Please apply online, or send a cover letter and CV to careers@zip.org.nz, quoting ‘Personal Assistant - Lincoln' in the subject header. 

For more information, please email your questions to careers@zip.org.nz, providing your name and a contact phone number.