Private Secretary (PN0272) at Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Wellington - Wairarapa

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

Vacancy 2024/21

Pou Hēkeretari Matua | Private Secretary
Te Toi | Office of the Secretary
Fixed Term or Secondment (12-18 months) / Fulltime *
Wellington

Salary Range: $99,460- $122,765

Ki te puāwai te ahurea, Ka ora te iwi
Culture is thriving, the people are well

Are you looking for some action in a fast-paced ministerial office?

We are seeking a Private Secretary to join our team to support the Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Media and Communications. This is a 12-18 month fixed term or secondment role.

While this role is focused on supporting the Minister in the Media and Communications portfolio, you will be required to provide cover across the Arts, Culture and Heritage portfolio as required, and ensure that all advice and support for the Minister takes an organisational and sector approach.

Being a private secretary is an important role – supporting the work we do for Ministers and being the key connection point between the Minister's Office and the Ministry.  It's also a great development opportunity, as you will experience how government and parliament operate. 

Kōrero mō te tūranga | About the role
The role is a challenging and rewarding experience. It's a varied role – with the opportunity to provide advice and analysis, engage and connect with a range of stakeholders in our sectors, support the effective flow of high-quality information and get a great view of the arts, culture, heritage and media sectors. 

It provides an insight into the operations of the Executive Government and Parliament. We need the right people who can provide support and maintain strong working relationships between the Ministry and Ministers and Minister's offices.

Kōrero mōu | About you
Relationship management skills will be key to success in this role. You will need to be able to work effectively with other Private Secretaries, Ministers' staff, and senior sector and public service representatives. Good ‘political nous' is a key attribute, to help you make judgements about who needs to know what and when, and to support the timely making of good decisions. 

You will have experience working in Government departments, or in Private Secretary roles, and you will have excellent analytical and advisory skills.  You will also be willing to roll your sleeves up to get the job done.

You will also need to be flexible and adaptable to a changing working environment – you will be part of a wider private secretary team and may work across the portfolio.

In general, some of the key requirements are:

• Being an effective and efficient conduit of information and advice to and from the Minister and Ministry
• Ability to exercise judgment on complex issues, knowing when to advise and when to phone a friend (or better yet, a colleague at the Ministry)
• Awareness of the politically neutral role private secretaries play in the parliamentary environment and ability to work with political staff to get answers.
• Knowledge of parliamentary processes and public service ways of working
• Efficient, organised and able to prioritise what a Minister really needs to see and what can wait
• Eligibility for Confidential security clearance 

We are looking for the successful applicant to start as soon as possible and you need to be living in New Zealand at the time of applying. 

Ko wai mātou | About us
Manatū Taonga has a broad mandate and wide reach across a complex system. We operate a lean and flat structure, with the added advantage of knowing everyone by name. We embrace diversity and inclusiveness, are passionate about our mahi, and welcome experiences from different sectors to strengthen and support the pou of our whare.  Want to know more about us go to https://mch.govt.nz/about-ministry/jobs-and-careers 

Me pēhea te tono | How to apply
For the Position Description and more information about the role and how to apply, please follow the online process on our Careers Website

For enquiries about this position contact Bridie Cooper - bridie.cooper@mch.govt.nz

Applications close 5pm on Sunday 13 October 2024

Āheinga | Eligibility
If you are not a New Zealand citizen, you must hold current eligibility to work in New Zealand and for Manatū Taonga in order to work for Manatū Taonga. Please refer to the New Zealand Immigration Service for further information