Principal Advisor - Environment and Sustainability at New Zealand Transport Agency, Wellington

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Are you driven to deliver great outcomes for sustainability?
• Great opportunity to influence the future of transport
• Wellington or Auckland - we'll be open for the right candidate

Te Whiwhinga mahi | The opportunity

Our Environment and Sustainability Team is helping lift the bar on environmental performance. Reducing harmful emissions from the land transport system is part of this challenge. The team is looking for a new Principal Advisor to help with this important mahi.

As a Principal Advisor you will lead and contribute to key pieces of work set out in Toitū Te Taiao, our sustainability action plan, to help create a low-carbon, safe and healthy transport system. You will also help implement the government's Emissions Reduction Plan.

Working closely with subject matter experts in the team and others across the agency and sector, you will shape agency thinking, building and maintaining critical relationships, carrying out research, analysing data, communicating findings and providing advice.

You will also critique the impact of proposals on the transport sector and support Waka Kotahi develop its position on emerging issues, especially related to reducing greenhouse gas emissions from land transport. There is plenty of variety and challenge in this role, and it offers a great opportunity to further develop your expertise in sustainability, climate, environmental, public health and equity issues.

We are looking for a high-performing professional who has heaps of initiative, a keen interest in caring for people, places and the planet, and confidence working with people and information in a fast-paced, complex environment that is changing rapidly.


Ko koe tēnei | About you

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• A minimum of ten years relevant experience providing advice on emerging issues and supporting the implementation of strategic change programmes in operational environments.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, collaboration and influencing skills.
• Numerical and analytical skills, including experience interpreting complex data and generating insight and translating the complex into the simple for different audiences.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, underpinned by a solid risk radar.
• A service ethic and a keenness to roll up your sleeves and do whatever is needed.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity, uncertainty and change.

You will demonstrate knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an understanding of Te Ao Māori and promote tikanga and Te Reo Māori. You will also have knowledge of, or a willingness to gain an appreciation of te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) as it applies in the public sector.

Ko wai mātou | About us

The Safety, Health and Environment Group, Haumaru Taiao, is a steward of long-term improvements to road safety, environmental, public health, and health and safety and wellbeing outcomes. Working collaboratively across Waka Kotahi and the sector, we lead, design and enable change to prevent harm to people, places and the planet.

Along with our other benefits we also have new Waka Kotahi Life, Income Protection and Critical Illness Insurance scheme available for permanent employees.

View the Position Description here

Rā Katinga | Applications close: 11.59pm, Monday 08 August 2022

For further information, email: careers@nzta.govt.nz

To be considered for this position you must have a legal right to live and work in New Zealand.

Waka Kotahi is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). At the Agency we recognise the importance of diversity and inclusion and are committed to providing a working environment that embraces these values. Please let us know if you need any support or have any access requirements that will help you through the recruitment process.

Please note that we may begin shortlisting as we receive applications. We encourage early applications as we may withdraw the advertising at any time.