Kaitohutohu Matua Kaupapahere Māori | Chief Advisor Māori Policy

Mō tēnei tūranga mahi | About this role

• Permanent full-time opportunity
• Flexible location - Wellington preferred

Ministry for the Environment is the New Zealand government's primary advisor on the natural and built environment, and climate change.

Mō te tūnga | About the role

We are calling for a recognised communicator, thought leader, systems innovator and steward of organisational policy capability to take up the role of Kaitohutohu Matua – Kaupapahere Māori. As a member of the Environmental Management and Adaptation rōpū leadership team, you will be responsible for embedding quality standards related to te Tiriti and te ao Māori into our policy framework, to enhance the quality of our advice across the Ministry. Your mahi is undertaken in the context of the Crown's relationship with Māori, ensuring our organisational practice honours statutory settlement commitments and various other legislation.

An established and credible communicator, you will work closely alongside the Ministry's Kaitohutohu Matua | Chief Advisor cohort, our quality review networks, and the Pou Whakahaere Te Tiriti and Te Ao Māori to drive the Ministry's strategic policy agenda. You'll be intentional about fostering strong connections and coherence on matters relating to te Tiriti and te Ao Māori. You'll be a trusted advisor to Ministers, senior leaders and a mentor to managers and kaimahi, focussed on uplifting the organisations practice and capability. Representing the Ministry externally, you'll have the gravitas to anticipate minister needs and lead engagements with our Tiriti partners, delivery agencies and sector groups to ensure multiple perspectives are incorporated into Ministry work programmes.

Ngā pūkenga me ngā wheako | Skills and experience

You will bring:

• Expertise in Tiriti impact / Tiriti settlement legislation and redress;
• Deep knowledge of te Tiriti o Waitangi;
• Significant experience of applying te Tiriti into policy, implementation and operations – considered a thought leader in your field who can lift capability across groups;
• Deep mastery of constitutional and government systems and processes;
• Credibility in developing, sustaining and influencing relationships with Ministers, senior decision-makers and Tiriti partners;
• A relevant policy qualification.

Whānuitanga Utu ā-Tau | Salary range

Salary range for this role is from $221,713 up to $268,895 p/a.  Appointment within this range will be based on skills and experience.

Ngā hua ka puta i te mahi ki MfE | Benefits of working at MfE

• a flexible by default approach to create a healthy work-life blend
• agile ways of working, allowing you variety and challenges across the organisation as we work as ‘One MfE'
• active employee networks including Māori Rōpū, Asian Network, Neurodivergent and Disability Networks, Women's Network, Tagata Moana (Pacific Peoples' Network), and Rainbow Network
• opportunities for development and education.          

Check out other benefits of joining us and hear what our people say about Working at MfE | Ministry for the Environment.

Mō mātou | About us  

The Ministry's purpose is He taiao tōnui mō ngā reanga katoa - a flourishing environment for every generation.  We are the New Zealand government's primary advisor on the natural and built environment, and climate change.

A key priority for the Ministry is building Te Ao Māori capability.  This means we work with our Treaty partners to advance Māori priorities for the environment and for environmental success.  We will be confident and coordinated in our ongoing engagement with Māori and lead the natural resources system in engaging for success with tangata whenua.  We will grow our capability and capacity to accurately reflect Māori views in our work.  We accurately reflect Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori into our everyday work, by delivering on Te Ao Hurihuri, our Māori capability strategy.

Tono ināianei | Apply now

Apply directly by completing the online application form and submit your CV and cover letter.  Note: your cover letter will be a key part of our assessment process, so please highlight how your experience relates to the key skills required for this role.   

If you require further information about this position please contact Jasmine Kahukiwa (Talent Business Partner) at jasmine.kahukiwa@mfe.govt.nz   

The location for this role is flexible which means you can work anywhere in New Zealand and there is an option to work from home. As a flexible friendly employer, we are happy to discuss solutions that may work for you and the business.  We value and care about enabling our people to work in a way that means they can work at their best. 

We are committed to providing equal opportunities and actively strive to be a diverse organisation with an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds to apply.  We are proud to be a Rainbow Tick and Gender Tick certified organisation and are committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. 

We want to ensure any accessibility needs you may have are well supported, so the recruitment process is fair and equitable for all. Therefore, please let us know if there are any adjustments or support we can offer to make the recruitment process more accessible to you.  Please contact us at vacancy@mfe.govt.nz if you would like to discuss any accessibility needs you may have.

You must have the right to live and work in New Zealand to apply for this role.

Rā Katinga | Applications close: end of Sunday 7th April 2024.