• Provide strategic, nuanced advice to shape Council and regional priorities
• Contribute to influential relationships and Treaty partnership across the region
• Join a values-driven organisation at a time of exciting change

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

Waitaha - our Canterbury region - is like no other and we are proud to call it home. We have the privilege of working with Papatipu Rūnanga, stakeholders and our wider community to protect our environment, including water, land and air through regulation and planning. As a Regional Council we're responsible for flood protection, public transport, civil defence, and more.  

Together we're taking action to shape a thriving and resilient Canterbury, now and for future generations. Toitū te marae o Tāne, toitū te marae o Tangaroa, toitū te tangata | if the land is well and the sea is well, the people will thrive. 

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

Regional government is facing down some of the most significant changes to our external environment since 1989. During this three-year term, our Council and Chair will navigate challenges such as new resource management and local government legislation, funding opportunities and constraints, environmental pressures, regional relationships, Tiriti partnership, and high community expectations.

It’s a complex time to achieve the environmental and economic outcomes that our communities expect. So Canterbury needs your talent and skill to help us take up the wero.

This senior role supports the Chair of the Canterbury Regional Council to shape and deliver Council’s strategic goals during this time of significant change for regional government.

You’ll provide the Chair robust, timely strategic and tactical advice on emerging issues, and help them shape advocacy strategies and connections with the community, stakeholders and partners. Working closely with the Principal Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive and Governance team, you’ll ensure the Chair is well-informed and prepared to navigate the challenges and opportunities in front of the Council. Expect a dynamic environment where political acumen and adaptability are key.

Key responsibilities:

• Deliver strategic and tactical advice and insights to support the Chair at a time of significant change for regional government
• Support the Chair to grow and maintain strategic external relationships and partnerships, including with Canterbury Mayors, central government, and Ngāi Tahu Papatipu Rūnanga
• Prepare communications and briefing material to support the Chair’s influence at a regional and national scale
• Build and maintain strong relationships across the organisation to inform your advice
• Support the Chair with governance and meeting processes and stakeholder engagement
• Contribute to Treaty partnership excellence

For more information on this role, please refer to the job description at the bottom of the advert.

Mōu │ About You

You’re a politically astute, trusted advisor who thrives on making the complex simple.

With at least 5 years’ experience advising senior decision-makers and building trusted relationships, you bring exceptional communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities calmly. You hold relationships at all levels across the organisation. You look up and out, have a great risk radar, and proactively identify strategic and tactical opportunities. Understanding of te ao Māori and Ngāi Tahutanga is advantageous.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience 

You’ll have a tertiary qualification in political science, public policy or environmental management (or similar) along with:

• 5 years of experience in roles providing advice to, and building trust with, decision-makers in a political environment
• Strategic thinking and sound judgment, with the ability to provide nuanced advice that is apolitical but politically astute
• Strong relationship-building and public relations skills
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively
• Integrity and adaptability, including ability to work at pace with key internal and external relationships to resolve issues
• Advanced digital literacy

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. The Chair has a key role in this. 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

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Patrick Lindsay, Principal Strategic Advisor to the Chief Executive, at 0273414855.

Applications close on Sunday 16 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