Kaitohutohu Mātāmua Whakaruruhau Ā-Ture Senior Statutory Bodies Advisor at Department of Conservation, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Work closely with the New Zealand Conservation Authority (NZCA) on strategic conservation issues at a national level.
• Manage board appointment processes for over 75 statutory bodies, and advise regional boards with government priority alignment.
• Take advantage of a range of development and training opportunities across the organisation.
• Four weeks + three days annual leave per year pro-rata, flexible working options.
• Permanent full time, Wellington location.

Toitū te marae a Tāne-Mahuta, toitū te marae a Tangaroa, toitū te tangata 

If the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive 

Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai serves to protect and sustain nature across Aotearoa. We put nature and people at the heart of our mahi, guided by te reo Māori, te ao Māori and Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We do this by: 

• protecting land, species, ecosystems, and cultural heritage for conservation purposes
• managing threats and adverse impacts
• being a voice for conservation
• connecting people to nature.

He angitūtanga | About the role

Now is the perfect time to join the Governance and Government Services Unit at the Department as we enter an exciting period of growth to enhance the capacity and capability of this crucial function. This is a truly fascinating role offering you the opportunity to strategically advise the Minister, actively engage in addressing significant topics, and work with more than 75 highly varied statutory bodies.

The Senior Statutory Bodies Advisor reports to the Manager Statutory Appointments / NZCA Executive Officer, and is responsible for providing expert advice, support and services in relation to the Department's entity governance. The key areas of responsibility of this position will include managing the board appointment process, supporting the NZCA, and maintaining effective partnerships with our internal and external stakeholders.

The position will be focused on:

• coordinating and managing board appointment processes including candidate management, drafting briefings for the Minister providing recommendations and advice, and drafting letters of appointment
• drafting papers for the NZCA, including discussion papers for Authority meetings, commission papers from Department's Senior Managers for the Authority, and work to develop their annual workplan in response to the Minister's annual Letter of Expectation
• drafting cabinet papers and ministerial briefing papers, and draft responses to OIA requests and parliamentary questions, as required
• providing advice and support to the Department's regional Board Support Officers regarding government priority alignment.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

If you have the following attributes, we are keen to hear from you:

• sound understanding of the machinery of government and the role of departments in relation to Crown entities
• strong IT skills, particularly in Microsoft (MS) Teams and MS Forms
• experience in managing board appointments
• expertise in clear concise business writing including Ministerial correspondence and reports
• strong critical thinking and analysis skills
• the ability to distil information from a variety of sources and quickly develop sound advice
• strong self-management skills, and ability to manage high workloads, prioritise and adapt as required
• proven ability to quickly build trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders including board Chairs
• understanding of Te Ao and Mātauranga Māori
• a relevant tertiary qualification.

Mō te tīma | About the team

The Governance and Government Services Unit sits inside the Public Affairs Group, which is responsible for building and enhancing the trust and confidence with New Zealanders and Parliament, while protecting and enhancing DOC's reputation and brand.

The Unit is the key link between the Department and the Minister's office for the flow of information and advice. A very tight-knit team, the team work collegially to create a trusting, inclusive and effective team culture, each member approachable and always willing to help each other out.

Ngā āhuatanga kei a mātou | What's in it for you?

Te Papa Atawhai is committed to fostering a diverse workforce that represents the communities we serve, creating an inclusive workplace culture, supporting the relationship between Māori and the Crown, and lifting our cultural capability. We encourage our people to bring their authentic self and unique perspectives to work, in pursuit of our collective aspirations. Our commitment to well-being and professional development includes:

• flexible working opportunities suited to your role, including working from home 2 days per week and flexible hours
• career development, secondment and training opportunities to help you realise your goals
• study assistance in programmes that are relevant to your work, and this team is a strong supporter in professional development
• employee Assistance Programme (EAP) and discounted medical insurance
• great discounts on DOC accommodation and outdoor apparel and gear so you're ready for your next adventure
• Te Pukenga Atawhai – Cultural Capability Development Programme.

Tono ināianei | Apply now 

Apply online via the DOC Careers Centre with a CV and cover letter that highlights your relevant skills experience and motivation for joining Te Papa Atawhai.  

The salary range for this position is $85,757 to $109,578 with the starting salary of the successful applicant being based on their relevant skills and experience.  

Eligibility to work in New Zealand is mandatory – this includes holding a valid work visa that covers the whole period of employment. 

Applications close at 5 pm on Wednesday, 8 February 2023.

Further enquiries, contact Rick McGovern-Wilson, rmcgovern@doc.govt.nz

Job Reference: 4000/32002