• Want to be part of the tīma that is paving the way for a predator-free Aotearoa New Zealand? 

  • Ready for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of a world-first conservation project?

  • Equipped to play a key role in coordinating the Predator Free Rakiura project?

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.

ZIP has recently been engaged to lead the Predator Free Rakiura project, and we’re now planning the first stage of operations. This stage will trial tools and techniques to learn what will be required to scale up the removal of rats, possums, feral cats and hedgehogs across the island. It’ll also tell us if we are on the right track, or whether there’s more mahi to do before we’re ready to continue to the next stage of predator removal.

Working closely with the Site Lead, wider ZIP team and key stakeholders, this role will be crucial in enabling the successful delivery of the PF Rakiura. You’ll use effective and agile project planning to achieve key project milestones and manage the overall timeline.

Location 

Oban, Rakiura. Invercargill or Christchurch may also be considered for the right candidate, but the ability to travel to Stewart Island regularly is essential. 

Key Requirements

  • Experience managing complex projects with multiple workstreams and agencies. A background in conservation or predator eradication mahi would be beneficial.

  • Excellent communication skills, with the ability to clearly scope tasks and effectively communicate the state of the project and potential/current challenges and risks.

  • Exceptional people skills, with the ability to work as part of a team and build strong connections across the ZIP team, key stakeholders and the community at-place.

  • Provide leadership to inspire the team to achieve project outcomes.

  • Able to think laterally, manage several work streams in parallel and adapt to a sometimes fast-evolving research and development context.

  • Flexibility to travel and connect with the ZIP team including at our remote field sites

  • Personal qualities that include:

    • Highly organized with good time management

    • Enjoy creative problem solving and adapting in response to new information and learning

    • Proactive communicator, comfortable to reach out and connect with the team to keep up to date and navigate challenges

    • Respond to critical feedback in a curious and reflective manner, and provide feedback in a constructive way

    • Keen to develop your capabilities for the role, and to learn and undertake a wide and expanding range of tasks.

CONTRACT: Fixed term of one year, with potential opportunity to extend.

SALARY BAND: $85,000-$100,000 based on experience

APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 13 December or until a suitable candidate is found

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

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