Senior IT Security Analyst

About us:

The Ministry of Social Development is a people-centred organisation. Were in communities across the motu, working with partners to help New Zealanders be safe, strong and independent.

We provide social policy and advice to government and assistance, including income, employment and housing support to people of all ages, families, whanau and communities.

As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner we are committed to supporting and enabling Maori, whanau, hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

Our people are as diverse as the communities we serve. We care about the wellbeing and success of our people and provide a supportive and inclusive working environment where people can thrive and be who they are.

Mo te tunga / About the role:

Do the challenges of IT Security excite you? Do you have a technical background in IT Security with an interest in problem solving? Can you provide thought, technical and people leadership. Then you may be the kind of person we are looking for.

The Ministry of Social Development has one of the largest government department groups in the country. This leads to a wide range of challenges in IT Security, and we are seeking a Senior IT Security Analyst to join our busy Security Operations team and IT Security Programme to help keep the Ministry safe.

Our team works closely with both the Information Technology and Governance Risk and Compliance teams to ensure the Ministry has a secure technical infrastructure and information controls. This means youll have a wide range of platforms and technologies to learn, monitor and provide security guidance to secure. Its a challenging, varied, fast-paced work environment, with on-going professional development.

As a Senior IT Security Analyst, you will focus on:

• Understanding and preventing the ever-changing threats to our services
• Monitoring for anomalous systems and staff behaviour
• Triage and analyse IT security incidents
• Engaging with specific projects, offering advice, and helping the delivery of solutions
• Supporting, mentoring, and guiding other security analysts
• Technical design review of new solutions
• Helping to create new standard operating procedures, and awareness/educational material for staff
• Building strong working relationships across MSD and the IT community including the CISO team.
• Managing and supporting the security products ensuring that they are up-to-date and working optimally
• Developing and delivering reporting as required regarding events, issues, and monthly updates.

This is a hands-on technical role working in a 24x7 environment. The role includes being part of an on-call roster afterhours/weekends and public holidays. This role is based in Wellington.

The position offers a challenging, varied, fast paced work environment, on-going professional development, and the opportunity to work for an organisation that makes a difference in the lives of New Zealanders.

Ou pumanawatanga | What you bring:

• Previous experience as an IT Security Analyst or an IT professional looking to specialise further in security.
• Strong knowledge of IT security terminology, platforms, and common security threats.
• Extensive experience in identifying, evaluating, and mitigating IT security risks and a familiarity with security framework and best practices for compliance.
• Previous experience fostering collaborative relationships across organisations.
• Proven ability to implement security measures, translate policies into documented standards, and drive security initiatives to completion.
• Ability to produce formal reports for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong analytical mindset with a proactive approach to tackling complex security challenges and delivering effective solutions.
• A relevant tertiary qualification (such as CISSP). CEH or other penetration-based security qualifications are a plus.

Existing government security clearance or the ability to gain and maintain such a clearance may be a requirement for this role. Please see this link to the public NZSIS information for further information about the vetting process for national security clearances: https://www.protectivesecurity.govt.nz/assets/Personnelsecurity/Getting-a-national-security-clearance-Dec-2019.pd

We value diversity and encourage and welcome applications from people who have different life experiences. Your perspective could help us make better security decisions!

Position Description

A copy of the position description can be found here. Senior IT Security Analyst position description.

Salary range: $105,419.00 - $127,930.00

To apply, click the Apply Now button to upload your CV, cover letter and complete the online application form.

Note: Your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key responsibilities listed in the position description.

All applications must be made online. If this is not possible or if you have any queries, please contact us at jobs@msd.govt.nz

Internal MSD Employees - please apply through your myHR portal at work. This will ensure that your myHR employee profile is visible as internal candidate.

Closing date: Thursday 10 April 2025.

Joining us:

Joining MSD means being part of a whanau that celebrates the diversity each individual represents. We show manaaki, we care about the wellbeing and success of people and want everyone to thrive, and be who they are in a supportive and inclusive working environment. We work together to make a difference for communities while doing the right thing with integrity. We are a Treaty partner committed to strengthening relationships with Maori, Hapu, Iwi and communities to realise their own potential and aspirations.

If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so we can assist you through the recruitment process.

MSD has a COVID-19 vaccination policy that encourages, but does not require, employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and its variants, unless the role is identified as requiring vaccination at the time.