Permanent, Wellington-based Role

Come and lead the development of NEMA's assurance function and provide leadership on the assurance of New Zealand's emergency management system.

Ko wai mātou | About us
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) provides national leadership to New Zealand's distributed emergency management system. NEMA's primary focus is on the performance and capability of the emergency management system as a whole, across all hazards and all risks and the 4 Rs of risk reduction, readiness, response and recovery.
NEMA values diversity and inclusion. We want our workforce to reflect the diversity of our communities. We value and respect the contributions of our people with diverse backgrounds, experiences, skills and perspectives. We support flexible ways of working that bring out the best in you.
We are committed to doing our part to deliver on the Crown's commitments to Māori under Te Tiriti o Waitangi. We strive to actively build te Ao Māori perspectives and capability into our day to day work, values and practices.
Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

The purpose of the Deputy Chief Executive, Assurance is to:

• lead the development of NEMA's assurance function, building it to full maturity over time.
• provide leadership on the assurance of New Zealand's emergency management system within the Government's wider regulatory, monitoring and ODESC systems
• provide advice on matters relating to the monitoring, evaluation and assurance of the emergency management system, including to the Chief Executive NEMA, Director CDEM, and the Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery
• lead engagement with entities subject to assurance regarding results and opportunities for improvement.
• provide a focal point for the connection between assurance, continuous improvement, and the delivery of emergency management outcomes across NEMA and the wider emergency management system.

The position sits within the Executive Office of NEMA (NEO) / Te Tari Tumuaki o NEMA (NEO). The Executive Office supports and advises the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executives and Senior Management Team. It provides leadership to strategic planning, organisational development, organisational performance and business support functions. NEO manages NEMA's relationships with the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) and the Central Agency Shared Services (CASS) who provide NEMA with corporate and support functions.
As NEMA is an operational agency, there may be a requirement to respond to emergency activations in the event of a national emergency response. This may include potentially long hours and challenging working conditions, e.g. an emergency could occur at any time of the day or night and may require working shifts and/or working weekends. NEMA provides thorough training prior to you being required to assist in a response. NEMA will do all in its power to support staff in meeting their work and family responsibilities during an emergency. The welfare and wellbeing of our staff is of upmost importance.

Due to the nature of our role in emergency management, NEMA has a very dynamic work environment and as a small agency, staff are often required to pivot and change focus on their work at short notice. Attributes of adaptability, agility, resilience and curiosity are all required on a daily basis, in and out of times of emergency response.

Ko wai koe | About you
We are looking for a candidate with the following attributes and skills:

• Able to provide strategic and operational advice and reporting on the development, measurement, assessment and evaluation of capability at the system level.
• Proven leadership experience at a executive level in either the public and/or private sector.
• Experience in designing or leading the assurance of capability and operating within robust governance frameworks.
• Experience in turning strategy into action at the senior level.
• Experience in the emergency management sector, with an in-depth knowledge of how it functions.
• An understanding of the CDEM Act 2002, the National CDEM Plan, Guide, and supporting plans
• Proven experience in building and maintaining credible and mutually beneficial relationships with senior stakeholders and senior executives, including the ability to manoeuvre through complex political situations effectively and efficiently
• Influencing and negotiation skills in complex and high-stakes situations

Ta matou e tuku | What we offer
We pride ourselves on the quality of our staff and understand the importance of fostering a working environment where excellence is recognised and where staff are encouraged to develop their own talents and potential. We welcome diversity, in all its forms and we believe it is a strength.
NEMA values staff health, safety and wellbeing, and a positive work life balance is encouraged.

Whakaritenga Haumaru | Security Requirements
Due to the security requirements of this role, applicants must be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand Permanent Resident.

Me pehea te tono | How to apply
Please select 'Apply' to download a position description or apply. If you have any questions, contact kim.thwaites@nema.govt.nz in the first instance. We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.

Applications close 5pm Wednesday 2nd October