• Lead a significant environmental programme in partnership with mana whenua
• Drive action to achieve Te Waihora Co-Governance partners’ shared vision
• Be a catalyst for the restoration and rejuvenation of Te Waihora

Te Waihora Co-Governance │ About the Partnership

Whakaora Te Waihora is the long-term ecological and cultural restoration programme of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group. The members of the Te Waihora Co-Governance Group are Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu, Environment Canterbury, Selwyn District Council, Christchurch City Council, and the Department of Conservation. Priorities and intended outcomes for the programme are set by these partners.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As the Programme Manager, you will work closely with the Co-Governance partners, kaitiaki rūnanga, and community to deliver the Whakaora Te Waihora programme. In doing so, you will:

• Build alignment across Co-Governance partners, mana whenua, and community to work towards the long-term vision of the programme.
• Foster funding opportunities and assist with obtaining external funding for projects.
• Ensure the effective delivery of programme projects.

The position will be managed by Environment Canterbury, with time spent working in the offices of Taumutu Rūnanga Ltd. and the Co-Governance partners.

Mōu │ About You

You will be a person with a passion for our environment and who likes to be challenged. To be successful in this role you will:

• Have an ability to establish, and maintain, high-trust and high-integrity professional relationships.
• Have an ability to work effectively with a wide range of a partners, and in a wide range of environments – from marae, to community, to local government.
• Be a great team player.
• Have strong networking, influencing and relationship building skills.
• Have excellent organisational and management skills.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

Ideally you will have:

• Excellent relationship management skills.
• At least five years programme management experience, including programme/project planning, implementation, budgeting monitoring and reporting.
• Understanding of Māori cultural values and/or experience working within a kaupapa Māori environment.
• Experience working in a community setting or voluntary or related sector.
• Familiarity with the relevant statutory and non-statutory plans relating to the management of Te Waihora.
• Familiarity with the Te Waihora / Selwyn community is desirable.
• Familiarity with ecological processes and indigenous biodiversity is desirable.
• Knowledge of local government, policy settings, financial literacy, and well-developed collaborative influencing and negotiating skills.
• A relevant tertiary qualification is desirable.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha | Working at Environment Canterbury  

Our mahi is underpinned by our values:

• Kaitiakitanga (stewardship)
• Pononga (integrity)
• Manaakitanga (people first)
• Whanaungatanga (collaboration)
• Māiatanga (can do)

We understand and embrace a diverse workforce; this diversity will enable us to better serve our people, our community, and our greatest taonga, the environment. We value everyone’s contribution, diverse thinking, and skills.

We're on a journey to become a treaty partner of excellence, including incorporating te ao Māori into our work. We offer supportive opportunities to develop capability in this area and encourage our people to use kaupapa Māori, mātauranga Māori, and te reo Māori in our daily work. We welcome you with an open heart & mind, wherever you are on your personal te ao Māori journey.

Ko ētahi atu kōrero | Additional Information

Applications close on Sunday, 9 November.  Applications will be reviewed as we receive them, and interviews may take place before the close date. We reserve the right to close advertising early.  

Short-listed candidates will be required to complete an interview process, reference checks, and a criminal check. Further background checking will be required when relevant to the role. 

We are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. If you're excited about this role but don't meet every qualification in the job description, we still encourage you to apply.

Me mahi tahi tātou - Together we can