• Provide strategic advice and policy development
• Collaborative and supportive team environment
• Flexible start/finish hours + WFH options

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for supporting the community to be prepared for, and able to respond to, natural and human induced hazards and events. We work in partnership with mana whenua Ngāi Tahu to protect the health of our environment to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for our region.

The region’s evolving environmental and political context means we will continue to be agile and adaptive, as we respond to regulatory and environmental changes.

Our mahi (work) is organised around the delivery of our three core services:

• Environmental Regulation and Protection
• Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards
• Public Transport

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

The key focus as a Strategy Advisor is to support the development of high-quality strategic advice for Council, including qualitative and quantitative analysis. This role will actively collaborate with our partners, stakeholders, government agencies and iwi to promote organisational strategic objectives and seek collective, innovative solutions. Joining a team of six other dedicated strategy advisors you’ll be tasked with advising on key issues, risks and opportunities related to the organisation’s progress in delivering the Community Preparedness and Response to Hazards core service.

Key accountabilities:

• Support systematically monitoring & evaluating progress towards strategic outcomes
• Actively collaborate with partners, stakeholders, government agencies and iwi
• Develop & maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with staff across the organisation and with partners
• Embrace and contribute to our positive team and organisational culture

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

Mōu │ About You

You’re an experienced Advisor who has excellent analytical and problem-solving skills and will enjoy applying them to complex issues that require critically analysing a range of options. You’ll have the ability to proactively maintain networks inside and outside the organisation, and work as part of a team to achieve agreed deliverables.  

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll have a relevant university qualification supported by a post graduate qualification or other relevant technical training along with:

• At least two years relevant experience in the public or private sector is required. 
• High standard of written communication and presentation skills is required. 
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills are required. 
• Experience in strategy or policy development and/or the use of strategic monitoring and evaluation systems is highly desirable
• Ability to successfully manage programmes and/or projects 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

For a confidential chat about this role, please contact Morag Butler at morag.butler@ecan.govt.nz

Applications close on Sunday, 11 January 2026.  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