Senior Policy Advisor (kaupapa Māori)
Wellington-Based 24-month Fixed-Term Role

• Help shape the future of New Zealand's emergency management system.
• Use your policy skills to develop and implement government policy with a kaupapa Māori perspective using tīkanga Māori, te ao Māori, and Te Tiriti approaches.
• Provide policy advice to government during and after emergencies.

We have an exciting role for a critical thinker who can deliver high quality policy analysis and advice, working with our partners across the emergency management sector.
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 the role
You will be part of NEMA's Policy Unit which provides emergency management-related policy advice to government, the emergency management sector, and wider national security system.
The Policy Unit has a Strategic Policy Team and an Operational Policy Team. You will be housed in the Strategic Policy Team and primarily work on strategic policy issues. However, a flexible approach is critical to working in our small unit. Depending on your skills and experience, career goals, and government priorities, you may work on projects across the Unit.
The Policy Unit is part of an evolving phase of change and investment in the emergency management system. You will initially help develop an Emergency Management Bill, reporting to a Bill Project Lead. As a part of this, you may lead or support policy advice on matters of specific importance to iwi Māori in relation to emergency management, including in the development of emergency management legislation (both primary and secondary legislation) and emergency responses and recovery at the national, regional, and local level.

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.

In addition to this, your role will also include policy advice to the Minister, the NEMA Executive Leadership Team and operational teams in NEMA on new policy settings that may be required to achieve emergency management system outcomes. You will also analyse and coordinate second opinion advice on the policy work of other agencies that have an interface with the emergency management system.

Ko wai koe | About you

We are looking for candidates with the following attributes:

• Proven experience developing policy advice and analysis with a kaupapa Māori perspective using tīkanga Māori, te ao Māori, and Te Tiriti approaches and relevant policy frameworks and analytical tools to analyse issues and develop advice.
• Experience with Crown/Māori relationship management.
• Experience in persuading, influencing, building and maintaining effective collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders, particularly with iwi Māori partners.
• Ability to think strategically about issues using systems-thinking approaches when developing policy advice.
• Acts with an understanding of the Crown's obligations under the Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Excellent writing skills to present complex ideas so they can be easily understood.
• Ability to take initiative, work autonomously and adapt in quick changing circumstances to deliver high quality work under pressure.
• A high standard of professionalism, integrity, and accountability.
• An existing understanding of emergency management, national security, and/or risk management is desirable but not essential.

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.
The mid-point of the salary band for this position is $126,001 including Kiwisaver employer contributions.
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 on email NEMATalent@nema.govt.nz
Applications close 5pm Thursday 24th October 2024
We do not accept unsolicited approaches from agencies or 3rd parties.