Media Advisor at NZ Police, Wellington

New Zealand Police is working with the community to make New Zealanders be safe and feel safe. With over 13,000 staff, we provide policing services 24 hours a day, every day. We operate by land, sea and air, manage over 860,000 emergency calls a year and are always actively preventing crime and crashes.

We’re working towards specific goals and targets that highlight our intent to work collaboratively with iwi and communities, other government sectors and business partners to deliver ‘Our Business’ and achieve long-term change.

Senior Media Advisor/Media Advisor

• Based at Police National Headquarters, Wellington
• Police Employee
• Media Advisor – Band G
• Senior Media Advisor – Band J
• Permanent
• Shift Work

 Mō te tūnga | About the role

New Zealand Police is the lead agency responsible for preventing crime and enhancing community safety. It works in partnership with individuals, communities, businesses, and other public sector agencies towards the vision of making New Zealand the safest country. Police is the government’s largest front-line response agency with around 15,000 staff in large and small communities all over New Zealand and in liaison and policing development roles overseas.

We are seeking a Senior Media Advisor or Media Advisor to join our dynamic, fast-paced and highly regarded New Zealand Police Media Team.

The position is based with the Police Media Centre in Police National Headquarters, Wellington and sits within a wider team of centralised Media & Communication services.

NZ Police has the largest media demand of any Government department and receives over 150 media queries every day. This is a busy environment and will appeal to someone who responds well under pressure and is able to quickly gain the confidence of our spokespeople and media.  Due to the dynamic and complex nature of our work, we’re looking for someone who is highly motivated, resilient, and likes to be challenged.

You will be working with media, frontline staff, district and national leaders, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders daily. For this reason, you will need to have sound judgement, be able to work efficiently, and to think critically.

The Police Media Centre supports all districts, so you may be required to travel and, when the big events occur, at short notice. Our Wellington team works on a rostered shift basis with the Police Media Centre operating seven days a week from 0600 to 2300 (6am-11pm). This shift work will suit someone who likes having time off during the week and, for the most part, you will have certainty around shifts and time off.  In addition to base salary, the role attracts a shift work allowance, on-call allowance, and a total of five weeks’ leave comprising Annual Leave and Shift Workers Leave.

Key Accountabilities:

• Liaising with media and district and executive staff
• Managing media enquiries including crafting media approach and responses
• Providing media advice to Police staff and supporting media-facing events
• Working collaboratively with other media advisors and communications team members including our award-winning social media team
• Demonstrate Whakaako: educating and growing our people to deliver the best service.

He aha taau e kawe mai | What you’ll bring

Being part of the Police whānau is about being our best to ensure our communities are safe and feel safe. Our Core Competencies provide a shared understanding of the behaviours, leadership and technical competence required for success at each level of Police. Whilst we are looking for skills, knowledge and experience relevant to the role, we also place high importance on your state of mind, the alignment of your values with ours, your ability to contribute to and build high performing teams, and the way that you lead yourself or others.

• A good understanding of the New Zealand media and social media environment
• Experience in a communications team or with media/social media
• Understanding of the machinery of government is beneficial
• Available for rostered shift work
• Travel as required and sometimes at short notice
• Excellent written skills
• Ability to manage multiple queries at a time.
• Relevant qualifications in communications or journalism preferred.

If you are an internal applicant, you must apply internally through the police system. You must provide an alternative contact email address.

This role is set at Individual Contributor level, this means your key purpose is “to deliver or enable others to deliver Our Business”.

We will ask you questions based on “How we will deliver Our Business – Core Competencies” and the appropriate role level, i.e. Individual Contributor. For more information on Our Core Competencies, please copy and paste this URL:  https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/core-competencies-how-we-will-deliver-our-business.pdf

These questions will be unique and specific to the role, focusing on the aspects the hiring manager believes are most important for that position at the time. For more information on Our Values, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/publications/nzp-our-values.pdf

To view the position description for this role please copy and paste this link into a new browser:

Media Advisor: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/07-2022/media_advisor.pdf

Senior Media Advisor: https://www.police.govt.nz/sites/default/files/pd/10-2022/senior_media_advisor.pdf

Mo tatou | About us

Our mission is to prevent crime and harm through exceptional policing.  Our vision is to be the safest country.  Our purpose is to ensure everybody can be safe and feel safe.

Wā Mahi Ngāwari | Working Flexibly

Your wellbeing inside and outside of work is important to us. We’re open to discussing flexible working options that work for both you and the business.

For more information on the above, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

Tono ināianei | Apply now 

If this position sounds like you, click apply now. You will be required to submit an application form and a CV. Before confirmation of hire, pre-employment checks will be undertaken.

For further information on the application process, please copy and paste this URL: https://www.police.govt.nz/careers

Utu ā-tau | Salary

These positions are covered by a collective agreement and salary will be dependent on skills and experience relevant to the role.

Media Advisor: $79,948 - $92,919  

Senior Media Advisor: $102,178 - $123,297

If you have any questions about this vacancy, please contact sally.french@police.govt.nz

Applications close Wednesday 27th September 2023.