• Support delivery of the Canterbury Regional Pest Management Plan review
• Contribute to regionally significant environmental strategy work
• Flexible start/finish hours + WFH options + ability to purchase leave

Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha │ About Environment Canterbury

As a regional council, we are responsible for managing natural resources including air, soil, water and land. 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

As part of the Environmental Regulation and Protection Strategy Section, you’ll help shape and deliver an integrated suite of Regional Strategies that align with long-term community outcomes, from biodiversity and biosecurity to air and water quality, land use, and braided river restoration.

Kōrero mō te Tūranga | About the Role

As a Senior Strategy Advisor, you will join the Regional Strategies team, providing high‑quality strategic advice that supports Council to navigate emerging risks, issues and opportunities. You’ll work across complex portfolios, helping shape work programmes that contribute to Environment Canterbury’s strategic outcomes and long‑term direction.

This is a senior advisory role where your insights will influence decision‑making at the executive and governance level, while also supporting delivery through strong relationships across the organisation and with key partners.

You will play a central role in progressing the Regional Pest Management Plan review and will contribute to nationally significant biosecurity programmes (e.g. wilding conifers and wallaby control), ensuring alignment between national initiatives and regional delivery. At times, you will also support the delivery of other regional strategies and contribute to broader strategic priorities across biodiversity, biosecurity, air quality, land, and water management.

A key focus of the role is strengthening the link between strategy and delivery. This includes supporting operational programmes, advising on prioritisation decisions, and contributing to the development of sustainable funding approaches.

Key Accountabilities:

• Lead or contribute to the design, delivery, and review of regional strategies and implementation plans
• Lead delivery of high-quality strategic and policy advice to senior leaders and elected members on a range of environmental regulation and protection issues
• Systematically monitor and evaluate progress toward strategic outcomes
• Provide technical guidance and support to staff across the Strategy & Planning Group
• Build individual capability and consistency across work programmes
• Develop and maintain strong, collaborative working relationships with staff across the organisation and partners
• Embrace and contribute to a 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 are an experienced strategic advisor who is proactive, adaptable, and capable of providing high-quality advice to senior leaders and elected members. You have a strong ability to analyse complex situations and offer innovative solutions that align with our strategic goals. You are an excellent collaborator, exercise diplomacy and discretion, and adept at persuading and influencing outcomes.

Mātau ā-Wheako | Experience  

You’ll have a relevant university qualification (post‑graduate preferred) along with:

• At least five years’ experience in strategy, policy or programme delivery

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving and written communication skills
• The ability to successfully manage complex work programmes

• Experience working across multiple stakeholders and portfolios
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and a commitment to partnership

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 Tom Scott (021 228 9387).

Applications close on Sunday, 31 May. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, 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 may be required depending on 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